Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rumour'

English Word: rumour

Key Russian Translations:

• слух /sluχ/ - [Informal, commonly used in everyday conversations]
• сплетня /ˈspɫʲetnʲə/ - [Informal, with a connotation of gossip or malicious rumour]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in news, social discussions, and literature, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual usage; for 'сплетня', it may be B2 due to its nuanced implications)

Pronunciation (Russian):

слух: /sluχ/ (The 'χ' is a guttural sound similar to the Scottish 'loch'; stress on the first syllable)

сплетня: /ˈspɫʲetnʲə/ (Palatalized 'l' and 't' sounds; stress on the second syllable)

Note on слух: Be cautious with the final 'х' sound, which can be softened in casual speech; it's a voiceless velar fricative.

Note on сплетня: The word has a slightly negative tone; pronunciation may vary regionally, with faster speech softening the palatalization.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A piece of information or story passed unofficially and often with unverified accuracy.

Translation(s) & Context:

• слух - Used in informal settings for unconfirmed news or whispers among friends; context: everyday talk or media speculation.
• сплетня - Applied when the rumour has a gossipy or harmful intent; context: social or interpersonal situations involving rumors about people.

Usage Examples:

• Я слышал слух о том, что компания объявила о банкротстве.

  I heard a rumour that the company has declared bankruptcy. (This shows 'слух' in a neutral, informational context.)

• Эта сплетня распространяется по всему офису, но никто не проверяет факты.

  This rumour is spreading throughout the office, but no one is verifying the facts. (Illustrates 'сплетня' in a workplace gossip scenario.)

• Не верь каждому слуху; лучше подожди официального заявления.

  Don't believe every rumour; it's better to wait for an official statement. (Demonstrates 'слух' in advice-giving, emphasizing caution.)

• Она любит разносить сплетни о соседях, чтобы создать драму.

  She loves spreading rumours about the neighbors to create drama. (Shows 'сплетня' in a negative, interpersonal context with verb usage.)

• В интернете полным-полно слухов о знаменитостях, но мало правды.

  The internet is full of rumours about celebrities, but little of it is true. (Highlights 'слух' in a plural, digital media context.)

A false or unverified story that circulates widely.

Translation(s) & Context:

• слух - In broader contexts like news or public discourse; implies something circulating but not confirmed.
• сплетня - Specifically for harmful or fabricated stories; context: personal or social conflicts.

Usage Examples:

• Этот слух о политическом скандале оказался правдой.

  This rumour about the political scandal turned out to be true. (Uses 'слух' to show potential verification.)

• Не обращай внимания на сплетню; она выдумана из зависти.

  Don't pay attention to the rumour; it's made up out of jealousy. (Emphasizes 'сплетня' in emotional or fabricated scenarios.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'слух' and 'сплетня' are masculine nouns in Russian, which follow standard declension patterns for the third declension. 'Слух' is indeclinable in some contexts but typically follows regular patterns, while 'сплетня' has full declensions.

Note: 'Слух' can be indeclinable in fixed phrases, but in standard usage, it follows the above. 'Сплетня' has no irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • молва (more archaic, implying widespread talk)
  • шёпот (whisper, for subtle rumours)
• Antonyms:
  • факт (fact, as it contrasts with unverified information)
  • истина (truth, emphasizing reliability)

Related Phrases:

• Распустить слухи - To spread rumours; used in contexts of gossip or misinformation.
• Погоня за слухами - Chase after rumours; implies futile pursuit of unverified info.
• Слухи в прессе - Rumours in the press; common in media discussions.

Usage Notes:

'Слух' directly corresponds to 'rumour' in neutral contexts, while 'сплетня' adds a layer of negativity, similar to 'gossip'. Use 'слух' for general, unconfirmed news and 'сплетня' for interpersonal drama. Be mindful of declensions in sentences; for example, in genitive case, say 'слуха' instead of 'слух'. In formal writing, prefer 'слух' over 'сплетня' to avoid connotations of malice.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'слух' without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я слышал слух" in a context requiring genitive like "о слухе".
  Correct: "Я слышал о слухе". Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; always check the preposition's requirements.
• Mistake: Confusing 'сплетня' with 'слух' and using it in neutral contexts, e.g., "Слух о погоде" instead of "Сплетня о погоде".
  Correct: Use 'слух' for weather rumours. Explanation: 'Сплетня' implies harm, so it can make the sentence sound accusatory unnecessarily.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, rumours ('слухи') often play a role in folklore and social dynamics, such as in stories from Soviet times where unverified news spread quickly due to censorship. 'Сплетня' reflects a communal aspect, where gossip can strengthen or disrupt social bonds, as seen in literature like Chekhov's works.

Related Concepts:

• новости (news)
• факты (facts)
• молва (rumour, more poetic sense)