Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ridicule'

English Word: ridicule

Key Russian Translations:

• Насмешка [nɐsˈmʲexkə] - [Noun, Formal]
• Высмеивать [vɨsˈmʲejɪvətʲ] - [Verb, Informal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature, media, and everyday conversations, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it requires understanding of nuanced expressions and verb conjugations; for 'Насмешка' as a noun, it's slightly easier at B1).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Насмешка: [nɐsˈmʲexkə]

Note on Насмешка: The stress falls on the second syllable ('mʲex'). Pay attention to the soft 'ш' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Высмеивать: [vɨsˈmʲejɪvətʲ]

Note on Высмеивать: The verb has a prefix 'вы-' which affects pronunciation; the 'ы' sound is a back vowel, distinct from English 'i'. Stress is on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The act of mocking or making fun of someone or something (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Насмешка - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe ridicule as a noun, often implying a critical or humorous intent.

Usage Examples:

• Его насмешка над ошибками коллег была недопустима на совещании.

  His ridicule of his colleagues' mistakes was unacceptable at the meeting.

• Насмешка в прессе часто помогает выявить общественные проблемы.

  Ridicule in the press often helps to highlight social issues.

• Дети иногда используют насмешку, чтобы скрыть свою неуверенность.

  Children sometimes use ridicule to hide their own insecurity.

• В комедийном шоу насмешка становится инструментом для сатиры.

  In comedy shows, ridicule becomes a tool for satire.

Meaning 2: To mock or deride someone verbally (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Высмеивать - Used in informal or everyday contexts to describe the action of ridiculing, often with a sense of ongoing or repeated behavior.

Usage Examples:

• Он часто высмеивает своих друзей за их странные привычки.

  He often ridicules his friends for their strange habits.

• В интернете люди высмеивают политиков, чтобы выразить недовольство.

  On the internet, people ridicule politicians to express their dissatisfaction.

• Родители иногда высмеивают детей, но это может ранить их чувства.

  Parents sometimes ridicule children, but it can hurt their feelings.

• Комик высмеивает социальные нормы в своем выступлении.

  The comedian ridicules social norms in his performance.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'Насмешка' (a feminine noun, 1st declension):

It follows regular feminine noun patterns with no irregularities.

For 'Высмеивать' (a verb, imperfective aspect, 1st conjugation):

This verb is regular but has an imperfective aspect, meaning it describes ongoing actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Насмехаться (more personal, implies self-directed ridicule)
  • Измарывать (less common, used in poetic contexts for mocking)
• Antonyms:
  • Хвалить (to praise)
  • Защищать (to defend)

Related Phrases:

• Злая насмешка - A malicious ridicule; used in contexts of harsh criticism.
• Высмеивать кого-то公开 - To ridicule someone publicly; common in social media scenarios.
• Насмешливый тон - A ridiculing tone; implies sarcasm in conversation.

Usage Notes:

Ridicule in English often carries a negative connotation, similar to 'Насмешка' or 'Высмеивать' in Russian, but Russian versions can vary by context. 'Насмешка' is more neutral and formal, suitable for written texts, while 'Высмеивать' is dynamic and informal, often used in spoken language. Be cautious with verb aspects: use imperfective for ongoing ridicule and perfective forms like 'Высмеять' for completed actions. English learners should choose based on the situation—formal vs. informal—to avoid sounding unnatural.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'Насмешка' as a verb (e.g., confusing it with 'Высмеивать'). Correct: 'Он насмеялся' should be 'Он высмеивал' for ongoing action. Explanation: 'Насмешка' is a noun, so learners must conjugate verbs properly to convey tense.
• Mistake: Incorrect stress in pronunciation, e.g., saying [nɐsˈmexkə] as [ˈnas mʲexkə]. Correct: Emphasize the second syllable. Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings in spoken Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, ridicule like 'Насмешка' is often prevalent in satire and humor, as seen in works by authors like Gogol. It can serve as a tool for social critique, reflecting historical traditions of using mockery to challenge authority without direct confrontation.

Related Concepts:

• Сатира (satire)
• Ирония (irony)
• Оскорбление (insult)