Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'risque'

English Word: risque

Key Russian Translations:

• рискованный [rʲɪˈskovanːɨj] - [Informal, often used in cultural or humorous contexts]
• неприличный [nʲɪˈprʲilʲɪt͡ɕnɨj] - [Formal, emphasizing indecency]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, media, and casual discussions about entertainment or social norms)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of nuanced adjectives and cultural connotations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

рискованный: [rʲɪˈskovanːɨj]

неприличный: [nʲɪˈprʲilʲɪt͡ɕnɨj]

Note on рискованный: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the soft 'р' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to its palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Bordering on impropriety or indecency, often in a humorous or suggestive way

Translation(s) & Context:

• рискованный - Used in informal settings, such as describing jokes or media that push boundaries without being overtly offensive.
• неприличный - Applied in more formal or critical contexts, like literary analysis, to denote something socially inappropriate.

Usage Examples:

• Этот фильм имеет рискованный юмор, который может шокировать консервативную аудиторию.

  This film has a risqué humor that might shock a conservative audience.

• Её рискованный наряд на вечеринке вызвал много обсуждений среди гостей.

  Her risqué outfit at the party sparked a lot of discussions among the guests.

• В неприличных рассказах классиков русской литературы часто скрывается глубокий социальный комментарий.

  In the risqué stories of Russian literary classics, there is often a deep social commentary hidden.

• Рискованный анекдот, который он рассказал, разрядил напряжённую атмосферу.

  The risqué joke he told lightened the tense atmosphere.

• Не стоит использовать неприличные выражения в профессиональной переписке.

  It's not worth using risqué expressions in professional correspondence.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "рискованный" and "неприличный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most cases, but irregularities can occur. Below is a table for "рискованный" as an example:

For "неприличный", the inflections follow a similar pattern and are regular. These adjectives do not change in comparative forms unless modified (e.g., рискованнее for "riskier").

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • смелый (bold) - Often used interchangeably but implies bravery more than indecency.
  • пикантный (piquant) - Subtler, focusing on spice or allure without full impropriety.
  • вульгарный (vulgar) - Stronger connotation, but can be a synonym in certain contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • приличный (decent)
  • невинный (innocent)
  • скромный (modest)

Related Phrases:

• рискованный юмор - A risqué humor; often used in comedy sketches to describe edgy content.
• неприличное поведение - Risqué behavior; refers to actions that challenge social norms.
• с риском для репутации - At risk to one's reputation; a phrase implying potential indecency in decisions.

Usage Notes:

"Risque" in English often carries a light-hearted or playful connotation, but its Russian translations like "рискованный" or "неприличный" can vary in tone. Use "рискованный" for informal, creative contexts (e.g., art or entertainment), while "неприличный" is better for formal discussions. Be mindful of cultural sensitivities in Russia, where such terms might imply stronger criticism. When choosing between translations, consider the audience: "рискованный" is more neutral for everyday use, whereas "неприличный" aligns with legal or moral judgments.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "рискованный" with "рисковый" (meaning "adventurous" in a physical sense). Correct usage: Use "рискованный" for social or moral risks, not physical ones. Example of error: Saying "рисковый юмор" to mean risqué humor (incorrect); correct: "рискованный юмор".

• Error: Overusing in formal writing, leading to unintended offense. Correct: In professional contexts, opt for milder synonyms like "пикантный". Example: Incorrect: "Его неприличный комментарий" in a business email; Correct: Avoid it altogether or use "неприемлемый".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "рискованный" often appear in discussions of Soviet-era satire or modern media, reflecting a history of censorship. For instance, classic works by authors like Mikhail Bulgakov use risqué elements to critique society subtly, highlighting Russia's tradition of blending humor with social commentary.

Related Concepts:

• юмор (humor)
• мораль (morality)
• цензура (censorship)