Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'racist'

English Word: racist

Key Russian Translations:

• расист [rɐˈsʲist] - [Informal; Used in general discussions about prejudice]
• расистский [rɐˈsʲistskʲɪj] - [Formal; Adjective form, often in academic or legal contexts]

Frequency: Medium - The term is commonly used in media, social discussions, and educational contexts in Russian, especially in modern discourse on social issues.

Difficulty: B2 (Upper-Intermediate) - Involves understanding social and cultural concepts; the noun form (расист) is B1, while the adjective (расистский) may require B2 due to its inflectional patterns.

Pronunciation (Russian):

расист: [rɐˈsʲist]

Note on расист: The stress is on the second syllable; the 'с' is pronounced as a soft 's' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers accustomed to harder consonants.

расистский: [rɐˈsʲistskʲɪj]

Note on расистский: This is a longer word with palatalization on the 'с' and 'к'; practice with native speakers to master the fluid Russian rhythm. Variations may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: As a noun, referring to a person who holds racist beliefs.

Translation(s) & Context:

• расист - Used in everyday conversations or formal accusations to describe someone promoting racial discrimination, often in social or political contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он — расист, который отрицает равенство всех людей. (He is a racist who denies the equality of all people.)

  Translation: He is a racist who denies the equality of all people. (This example shows the noun in a declarative sentence, highlighting personal attributes.)

• В интернете часто встречаются расисты, распространяющие ненависть. (On the internet, racists often spread hate.)

  Translation: On the internet, racists often spread hate. (Demonstrates plural use in a modern digital context.)

• Работодатель уволил расиста из компании. (The employer fired the racist from the company.)

  Translation: The employer fired the racist from the company. (Illustrates use in a professional setting with direct action.)

• Молодой расист пытался оправдать свои действия. (The young racist tried to justify his actions.)

  Translation: The young racist tried to justify his actions. (Shows the word in a narrative context with modifiers.)

Meaning 2: As an adjective, describing something related to racism or discriminatory practices.

Translation(s) & Context:

• расистский - Applied to policies, statements, or behaviors in formal, academic, or legal discussions to denote racial bias.

Usage Examples:

• Это расистский закон, дискриминирующий определённые группы. (This is a racist law that discriminates against certain groups.)

  Translation: This is a racist law that discriminates against certain groups. (Example in a legal context, modifying a noun.)

• Его расистские взгляды вызвали общественный протест. (His racist views sparked public protest.)

  Translation: His racist views sparked public protest. (Demonstrates adjective use with abstract nouns in social commentary.)

• Расистский юмор неуместен в современном обществе. (Racist humor is inappropriate in modern society.)

  Translation: Racist humor is inappropriate in modern society. (Shows the adjective in a cultural critique.)

• Мы боремся против расистских практик в образовании. (We are fighting against racist practices in education.)

  Translation: We are fighting against racist practices in education. (Illustrates use in activist language.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translations, "расист" (noun) and "расистский" (adjective), follow standard Russian inflection patterns. "Расист" is a masculine noun that inflects by case and number, while "расистский" changes by gender, number, and case as an adjective.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ксенофоб (ksenofob) - Often used interchangeably but implies broader fear of foreigners.
  • дискриминатор (diskriminator) - More general term for a discriminator, with a focus on any prejudice.
• Antonyms:
  • антирасист (antirasist) - Directly opposes, meaning someone against racism.
  • толерантный (tolerantnyj) - As an adjective, meaning tolerant, but not a direct antonym for the noun form.

Related Phrases:

• Расистская дискриминация (Racist discrimination) - Refers to acts of racial bias in society; commonly used in legal and social contexts.
• Борьба с расизмом (Fight against racism) - A phrase for activism; implies organized efforts to combat prejudice.
• Расистские стереотипы (Racist stereotypes) - Describes ingrained biases; often discussed in media literacy.

Usage Notes:

The English word "racist" translates most accurately to "расист" as a noun or "расистский" as an adjective in Russian. Use "расист" for individuals and "расистский" for descriptions of actions or systems. Be cautious with context: in formal settings, prefer "расистский" to avoid sounding accusatory. Russian discourse on racism often ties to historical events like Soviet policies, so these terms carry cultural weight. When choosing between translations, opt for "расист" in everyday speech and "расистский" in written or academic language.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "расист" with "расистский" and using the noun where an adjective is needed, e.g., saying "Он расист человек" instead of "Он расистский человек". Correct: "Он расист" (He is a racist). Explanation: "Расист" is a noun, so it doesn't need an additional noun; this misuse stems from direct word-for-word translation from English.

• Error: Overgeneralizing the term, e.g., using "расист" for any cultural misunderstanding. Correct: Reserve it for intentional racial prejudice. Explanation: In Russian, this can lead to accusations of exaggeration, as the word implies systemic issues.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "расист" and "расистский" are often linked to historical contexts such as the Soviet era's promotion of internationalism versus post-Soviet ethnic tensions. They carry a strong connotation of taboo, reflecting Russia's diverse ethnic makeup and ongoing debates about nationalism, which can make these words highly charged in public discourse.

Related Concepts:

• ксенофобия (ksenofobiya)
• дискриминация (diskriminatsiya)
• антисемитизм (antisemitizm)