Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ribald'

English Word: ribald

Key Russian Translations:

• Похабный /pɐˈxapnɨj/ - [Informal, often used in contexts involving crude humor or vulgarity]
• Вульгарный /vʊlʲˈɡarɨj/ - [Formal, broader application to describe anything tasteless or indecent]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, media, and everyday conversations discussing humor or social norms, but not as frequent as basic adjectives).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of nuanced adjectives and cultural connotations in Russian, with "Похабный" being slightly more challenging due to its informal tone, while "Вульгарный" is more straightforward for learners at this level).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Похабный: /pɐˈxapnɨj/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'х' is a guttural sound similar to the Scottish 'loch').

Вульгарный: /vʊlʲˈɡarɨj/ (Stress on the third syllable; the 'лʲ' indicates a soft 'l' sound, common in Russian palatalization).

Note on Похабный: This word can vary slightly in pronunciation based on regional dialects, with a more emphatic 'х' in southern Russia; beginners should practice the guttural 'х' to avoid sounding unnatural.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Referring to something humorously indecent, vulgar, or coarsely witty.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Похабный - Used in informal settings like jokes or casual storytelling to describe content that is bawdy or irreverent, often among friends.
• Вульгарный - Applied in more formal or critical contexts, such as literary analysis, to denote something lacking refinement or propriety.

Usage Examples:

• Его рассказы всегда были такими похабными, что все в компании хохотали до слёз.

  His stories were always so ribald that everyone in the company laughed until tears.

• В этом фильме есть несколько вульгарных сцен, которые могут шокировать зрителей.

  This film has several ribald scenes that might shock the viewers.

• Похабный юмор не всегда уместен на семейных собраниях, но в молодёжной компании он процветает.

  Ribald humor isn't always appropriate at family gatherings, but it thrives among young crowds.

• Её вульгарные шутки на вечеринке заставили некоторых гостей почувствовать себя неловко.

  Her ribald jokes at the party made some guests feel uncomfortable.

• В русской литературе XIX века похабные элементы часто использовались для сатиры социальных пороков.

  In 19th-century Russian literature, ribald elements were often used for satirizing social vices.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Похабный" and "Вульгарный" are adjectives in Russian, which typically follow standard adjectival inflection patterns. Russian adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. They have short and long forms, but the long form is more common in modern usage.

Note: These adjectives follow regular patterns, with no irregular inflections. In short form (less common), "Похабен" for masculine, etc., but this is rarely used in contemporary Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Грубый (/ɡrubɨj/) - More general for rude or rough, often interchangeable in casual contexts.
  • Непристойный (/nʲɪprʲiˈstojnɨj/) - Emphasizes indecency, with a slight formal nuance.
• Antonyms:
  • Приличный (/prʲiˈlʲit͡ɕnɨj/) - Decent or proper, used when contrasting vulgar behavior.
  • Тактичный (/tɐˈkʲit͡ɕnɨj/) - Tactful, highlighting the absence of offensiveness.

Related Phrases:

• Похабный анекдот - A ribald joke; often used in informal storytelling to describe humorous but vulgar anecdotes.
• Вульгарный стиль - Vulgar style; refers to tasteless fashion or art in cultural discussions.
• Похабные выражения - Ribald expressions; common in spoken language for crude idioms or phrases.

Usage Notes:

"Ribald" in English corresponds closely to "Похабный" in informal Russian contexts, where it conveys a sense of playful vulgarity, but be cautious as it can be offensive. "Вульгарный" is a safer, more neutral choice in formal settings like writing or professional conversations. Always consider the audience: in Russian culture, these words might carry stronger connotations in public vs. private spaces. For grammar, ensure adjectives agree with the noun's gender, number, and case, as shown in the inflections table above.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Похабный" in formal writing, which might sound too casual or inappropriate. Correct: Opt for "Вульгарный" in such contexts. Example of error: "В официальном докладе использовали похабный язык" (incorrectly mixing tones). Correct: "В официальном докладе использовали вульгарный язык" – This maintains a professional tone.

• Error: Failing to inflect the adjective properly, e.g., saying "Похабный книга" instead of "Похабная книга" for a feminine noun. Explanation: Russian requires agreement; always check the noun's gender to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Похабный" often appear in folk tales, satire, and modern media to critique social norms or add humor, reflecting a historical tradition of irreverent storytelling seen in works by authors like Nikolai Gogol. However, due to cultural sensitivities, such terms can be taboo in polite society, emphasizing the importance of context in Russian communication.

Related Concepts:

• Сатира (Satire)
• Юмор (Humor)
• Нецензурщина (Obscenity)