Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rumor'

English Word: rumor

Key Russian Translations:

• слух [slux] - [Informal, Common in everyday conversation]
• молва [ˈmolvə] - [Formal, Often used in literary or historical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly encountered in news, conversations, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and contextual usage. For 'слух', it's straightforward; for 'молва', it may vary slightly due to its literary nature.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

слух: [slux] (The 'л' is a soft 'l' sound, and the 'х' is a guttural 'kh' as in Scottish 'loch'.)

молва: [ˈmolvə] (Stress on the first syllable; the 'в' is pronounced as a soft 'v'.)

Note on слух: Be cautious with the soft 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 'l' in 'million'.

Note on молва: This word has a more archaic feel, and pronunciation may vary slightly in poetic recitations.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Unverified information or gossip spreading among people.

Translation(s) & Context:

• слух - Used in informal settings like casual conversations or social media to describe everyday rumors.
• молва - Applied in formal or historical contexts, such as news reports or literature, to imply widespread but unconfirmed stories.

Usage Examples:

• Я слышал слух о том, что компания закроется. (I heard a rumor that the company is closing.)

  Translation: This example shows 'слух' in a simple declarative sentence, common in everyday informal talk.

• Молва распространилась по всему городу за одну ночь. (The rumor spread throughout the city in one night.)

  Translation: Here, 'молва' is used in a narrative context, emphasizing rapid dissemination in a more formal or storytelling style.

• Не верь каждому слуху, который слышишь на улице. (Don't believe every rumor you hear on the street.)

  Translation: This demonstrates 'слух' in an advisory sentence, highlighting skepticism in informal advice.

• Историческая молва о сокровище до сих пор будоражит умы. (The historical rumor about the treasure still stirs imaginations.)

  Translation: 'Молва' is shown in a historical context, illustrating its use in cultural or legendary discussions.

• Слух о повышении зарплат быстро разошёлся по офису. (The rumor about salary increases quickly spread through the office.)

  Translation: This example varies the structure, using 'слух' with a verb to show dynamic usage in a workplace scenario.

Meaning 2: Something that is talked about but not confirmed, often implying doubt.

Translation(s) & Context:

• слух - In contexts involving uncertainty, like politics or social media, to express skepticism.
• молва - In literary or formal writing, to denote pervasive but unreliable information.

Usage Examples:

• Этот слух о скандале оказался правдой. (This rumor about the scandal turned out to be true.)

  Translation: Illustrates 'слух' in a sentence with an outcome, showing its role in narratives of verification.

• Молва о коррупции в правительстве не утихает. (The rumor of corruption in the government doesn't subside.)

  Translation: 'Молва' is used here in a persistent context, common in news or formal discussions.

• Не стоит распространять слухи без доказательств. (Don't spread rumors without evidence.)

  Translation: This shows 'слухи' (plural form) in an imperative sentence, advising against misinformation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'слух' and 'молва' are masculine nouns in Russian, which follow standard declension patterns. 'Слух' is a third-declension noun, while 'молва' is more regular. Below is a table for their key inflections:

Note: These nouns do not change in gender but follow standard patterns. 'Слух' is invariant in some fixed phrases, making it easier for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: сплетня (gossip, more negative connotation), толки (talks, informal discussions)
• Antonyms: истина (truth, direct opposite in factual contexts), факт (fact, emphasizing verified information)

Explanation: 'Сплетня' often implies malicious gossip, differing slightly from 'слух' which is more neutral.

Related Phrases:

• Распустить слухи - To spread rumors; used in contexts of misinformation or casual talk.
• Молва народа - Public rumor; refers to widespread societal beliefs or folklore.
• Слухи в прессе - Rumors in the press; common in media-related discussions.

Usage Notes:

Russian translations like 'слух' and 'молва' closely align with the English 'rumor' but carry nuances: 'слух' is versatile for daily use, while 'молва' suits formal or historical settings. Always consider context—use 'слух' in spoken language to avoid sounding archaic. Grammatically, these nouns require correct declension based on case, e.g., in prepositional phrases. When choosing between translations, opt for 'слух' for modern conversations and 'молва' for literary works.

• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; integrate with Russian sentence structure for natural flow.
• In formal writing, 'молва' can add a poetic tone, enhancing emphasis on cultural persistence.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse declensions, such as saying 'слух' in the genitive case as 'слух' instead of 'слуха'. For example:

• Incorrect: Я слышал о слух. (Wrong declension; sounds unnatural.)
• Correct: Я слышал о слухе. (Proper genitive form.)
• Explanation: This error stems from English's lack of cases; always check the required case in the sentence.
• Another common mistake: Confusing 'слух' with 'сплетня' by using them interchangeably, but 'сплетня' implies negativity, so use 'слух' for neutral rumors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, rumors ('слухи') often play a role in folklore and social dynamics, such as in villages where oral traditions spread unverified stories. 'Молва' can evoke historical events, like those in Russian literature (e.g., Pushkin's works), highlighting how rumors shape national narratives and interpersonal relationships.

Related Concepts:

• сплетни (gossip)
• фейк (fake news)
• легенда (legend)