Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'satiric'

English Word: satiric

Key Russian Translations:

• сатирический [sɐˈtʲirʲɪt͡ɕɪskʲɪj] - [Formal]
• ироничный [ɪˈronʲɪt͡ɕnʲyj] - [Informal, when implying subtle mockery]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary and cultural discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and cultural contexts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сатирический: [sɐˈtʲirʲɪt͡ɕɪskʲɪj]

Note on сатирический: The stress falls on the third syllable ("ri"), which is common in Russian adjectives. Be mindful of the soft sign (ь) affecting the pronunciation of the preceding consonant.

Audio: []

ироничный: [ɪˈronʲɪt͡ɕnʲyj]

Note on ироничный: This word has a rolling "r" sound, which can be challenging for non-native speakers; it often conveys a lighter, more everyday irony.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to or characterized by satire (e.g., mocking or criticizing through humor)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сатирический - Used in formal contexts like literature, art, or media criticism to describe works that employ satire for social commentary.
• ироничный - Applied in informal or everyday situations to indicate ironic or mocking tones, often less structured than full satire.

Usage Examples:

• Этот фильм сатирический и высмеивает современное общество.

  This film is satiric and mocks modern society.

• Его речь была ироничной, но никто не понял намёка.

  His speech was satiric, but no one caught the hint.

• В этой книге автор использует сатирический стиль, чтобы критиковать политику.

  In this book, the author uses a satiric style to criticize politics.

• Её ироничный комментарий заставил всех засмеяться.

  Her satiric comment made everyone laugh.

• Сатирический журнал публикует карикатуры на известных личностей.

  The satiric magazine publishes cartoons of famous personalities.

Meaning 2: Exhibiting a mocking or ironic quality (less formal, more personal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ироничный - Common in casual conversations or personal expressions, where satire is implied but not overt.

Usage Examples:

• Его ироничный тон в разговоре разрядил обстановку.

  His satiric tone in the conversation lightened the atmosphere.

• Сатирический подход в статье помог подчеркнуть абсурдность ситуации.

  The satiric approach in the article highlighted the absurdity of the situation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are adjectives, which in Russian undergo inflection based on gender, number, and case. "Сатирический" is a regular adjective following the first declension pattern, while "ироничный" is also regular but may vary slightly in usage.

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form or comparative degrees unless context demands it (e.g., сатиричее for comparative).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: насмешливый (mocking, often playful); пародийный (parodic, for imitative satire)
• Antonyms: серьёзный (serious, lacking humor); драматический (dramatic, without mockery)

Note: "Насмешливый" is more informal and implies light-hearted teasing, while "parодийный" is specific to parody forms of satire.

Related Phrases:

• сатирический жанр - Satirical genre (refers to categories like satirical literature or comedy).
• ироничный юмор - Ironic humor (used in everyday contexts for witty, mocking jokes).
• сатирический рисунок - Satiric drawing or cartoon (common in media for social critique).

Usage Notes:

"Satiric" in English often aligns closely with "сатирический" in Russian for formal or literary contexts, but "ироничный" is preferable for everyday irony. Be cautious with word choice based on register: "сатирический" is more neutral and widely applicable in written Russian, while "ироничный" can sound more conversational. In grammar, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key difference from English. For example, use "сатирический стиль" for masculine nouns but "сатирическая книга" for feminine ones.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "сатирический" interchangeably with "ироничный" without considering context. For instance, learners might say "Это ироничный фильм" when "сатирический" is more accurate for a full satirical work.

  Correct: Это сатирический фильм. (Explanation: "Ироничный" implies only irony, not structured satire.)

• Error: Failing to inflect the adjective properly, e.g., saying "сатирический книга" instead of "сатирическая книга".

  Correct: сатирическая книга. (Explanation: Adjectives in Russian must match the noun's gender and case.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, satiric elements like those in "сатирический" are prominent in literature (e.g., works by Gogol or Bulgakov) and media, often used to critique society under historical censorship. This reflects a tradition of indirect humor to navigate sensitive topics, making it a vital tool for social commentary in Russian-speaking contexts.

Related Concepts:

• пародия
• ирония
• карикатура