Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'recusant'

English Word: recusant

Key Russian Translations:

• непослушник [nʲɪ.pɐˈsluʂ.nʲik] - [Formal, Historical context]
• отступник [ɐtˈstup.nʲik] - [Formal, Religious or ideological refusal]

Frequency: Low (This term and its translations are not commonly used in everyday modern Russian; they appear primarily in historical, legal, or academic discussions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate) for both translations, as they involve nuanced historical vocabulary and require understanding of Russian noun inflections; learners at this level should be familiar with basic grammar but may need exposure to specialized contexts.

Pronunciation (Russian):

непослушник: [nʲɪ.pɐˈsluʂ.nʲik]

отступник: [ɐtˈstup.nʲik]

Note on непослушник: The stress falls on the third syllable ('sluʂ'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the Russian palatalized 'n' sound; pronounce it with a soft, forward tongue position.

Note on отступник: The 'ts' cluster is pronounced as in "tsar," and the word ends with a soft 'k'; common in formal speech but less in casual contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person who refuses to submit to an established authority, especially in religious or historical contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• непослушник - Used in formal or historical narratives, often implying defiance against state-imposed religion or laws.
• отступник - Applied in ideological or religious contexts, emphasizing apostasy or withdrawal from a group.

Usage Examples:

• В Англии XVI века многие непослушники скрывали свою веру, чтобы избежать преследований.

  In 16th-century England, many recusants hid their faith to avoid persecution.

• Он стал отступником, отказавшись принять официальную доктрину церкви.

  He became a recusant by refusing to accept the official church doctrine.

• Правительство считало непослушников угрозой общественному порядку и налагало на них штрафы.

  The government viewed recusants as a threat to public order and imposed fines on them.

• Как отступник, она столкнулась с социальным ostracismом в своей общине.

  As a recusant, she faced social ostracism in her community.

• В исторических текстах непослушники часто описываются как храбрые борцы за свободу совести.

  In historical texts, recusants are often described as brave fighters for freedom of conscience.

Meaning 2: In a broader sense, someone who persistently refuses compliance with rules or norms.

Translation(s) & Context:

• непослушник - Informal or metaphorical use, but still formal in tone, e.g., in modern discussions of civil disobedience.
• отступник - Less common here, but can imply a break from norms in non-religious settings.

Usage Examples:

• В школьном классе непослушник отказывался выполнять указания учителя.

  In the school class, the recusant refused to follow the teacher's instructions.

• Как отступник от традиций, он всегда выбирал нестандартный путь в жизни.

  As a recusant from traditions, he always chose an unconventional path in life.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "непослушник" and "отступник" are masculine nouns of the second declension in Russian, which means they follow standard patterns for animate nouns. They inflect based on case, number, and gender. "непослушник" is more commonly used in singular forms due to its historical context, while "отступник" can appear in both singular and plural.

These nouns do not have irregular inflections, making them straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • бунтарь (rebel) - More general, implying active resistance.
  • отказник (refusenik) - Often used in Soviet contexts for those refusing state mandates.
• Antonyms:
  • послушный (obedient) - Direct opposite, implying compliance.
  • лояльный (loyal) - Emphasizes fidelity to authority.

Related Phrases:

• непослушный подданный - A disobedient subject; used in historical or political contexts to describe someone defying rulers.
• отступник от веры - An apostate from faith; common in religious discussions to denote rejection of beliefs.
• стать непослушником - To become a recusant; implies a deliberate act of defiance in formal settings.

Usage Notes:

When translating "recusant" to Russian, choose "непослушник" for historical or religious contexts (e.g., English Reformation), as it best captures the nuance of passive resistance. "Отступник" is preferable for ideological apostasy. Both are formal and rare in everyday speech, so use them in written or academic English-Russian exchanges. Grammatically, ensure correct declension based on sentence structure, as Russian requires case agreement. For English learners, note that these words lack direct equivalents in casual Russian, so context is key to avoiding overuse.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "непослушник" with "непослушный" (an adjective meaning disobedient), leading to incorrect part of speech. Incorrect: "Он непослушный" (as if it's an adjective). Correct: "Он непослушник" (noun form). Explanation: Always treat it as a noun and decline appropriately to maintain meaning.

• Error: Overusing in modern contexts; learners might say "Я непослушник" for everyday rebellion, which sounds archaic. Correct: Use "бунтарь" for casual defiance. Explanation: Stick to historical usage to sound natural in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

The concept of a "recusant" is deeply tied to English history, particularly the persecution of Catholics under Protestant rule. In Russian culture, similar ideas appear in contexts like the Old Believers (старообрядцы), who were recusants against 17th-century church reforms. This reflects broader themes of religious dissent and state control, helping English speakers appreciate the shared historical struggles in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• еретик (heretic)
• бунтарь (rebel)
• диссидент (dissident)