Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'savagery'

English Word: savagery

Key Russian Translations:

• жестокость [ʐɨˈstokəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, often used in literary or serious contexts]
• дикость [ˈdʲikəsʲtʲ] - [Informal, commonly in everyday or descriptive speech]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in Russian literature, news, and discussions about human behavior, but not as frequently as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for жестокость; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for дикость (due to potential nuances in connotation and inflection patterns).

Pronunciation (Russian):

жестокость: [ʐɨˈstokəsʲtʲ]

Note on жестокость: The initial 'ж' is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure' in English, which can be challenging for beginners. Stress falls on the third syllable.

дикость: [ˈdʲikəsʲtʲ]

Note on дикость: The 'д' is palatalized, sounding softer like 'dy' in 'dye'; stress is on the first syllable. Variations in regional accents may soften the consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The state of being savage, cruel, or brutal in behavior.

Translation(s) & Context:

• жестокость - Used in formal contexts, such as describing acts of violence or moral depravity in literature or legal discussions.
• дикость - Applied in informal settings, like talking about primitive instincts or uncivilized actions in everyday conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Война раскрывает всю жестокость человеческой природы.

  War reveals the full savagery of human nature.

• Эта дикость в его поведении шокировала всех вокруг.

  This savagery in his behavior shocked everyone around.

• История полна примеров жестокости, которая приводит к разрушению обществ.

  History is full of examples of savagery that leads to the destruction of societies.

• В джунглях животные проявляют дикость, чтобы выжить.

  In the jungles, animals exhibit savagery to survive.

• Его жестокость в словах ранила больше, чем действия.

  His savagery in words hurt more than his actions.

2. The quality of being primitive or uncivilized, often in a cultural or natural sense.

Translation(s) & Context:

• дикость - Common in contexts discussing wilderness or untamed aspects, such as nature or historical societies.
• жестокость - Less common here, but used when emphasizing cruelty in primitive settings.

Usage Examples:

• Древние племена жили в дикости, без современных удобств.

  Ancient tribes lived in savagery, without modern conveniences.

• Эта картина изображает дикость первобытного мира.

  This painting depicts the savagery of the primitive world.

• Жестокость природы проявляется в суровых погодных условиях.

  The savagery of nature is evident in harsh weather conditions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "жестокость" and "дикость" are feminine nouns (3rd declension in Russian). They follow standard patterns for abstract nouns, which means they inflect for case, number, and gender. "жестокость" is invariant in plural forms as it's typically uncountable, while "дикость" can be used in plural to denote multiple instances.

Note: These nouns do not change for gender beyond their inherent feminine form and are invariable in most adjectival agreements.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • варварство (varvarstvo) - More historical connotation, implying barbarism.
  • брутальность (brutality) - Direct loanword, used in modern contexts for extreme cruelty.
• Antonyms:
  • цивилизованность (tsivilizovannost') - Emphasizes civility and refinement.
  • мягкость (myagkost') - Suggests gentleness or softness, contrasting with brutality.

Related Phrases:

• жестокий мир - A cruel world (Refers to a harsh, unforgiving environment, often in philosophical discussions.)
• дикость природы - The savagery of nature (Used to describe untamed natural forces or wildlife behaviors.)
• вспышка жестокости - A burst of savagery (Implies a sudden act of violence or cruelty in interpersonal relations.)

Usage Notes:

"Savagery" translates most accurately to "жестокость" when emphasizing moral or emotional cruelty, as in human conflicts, while "дикость" is better for contexts involving primitiveness or wildness, such as in nature. Be mindful of formal vs. informal registers: "жестокость" suits written or official language, whereas "дикость" is more conversational. In Russian, these words often require agreement with feminine nouns in sentences, e.g., "эта жестокость" (this savagery). When choosing between translations, consider the context—use "дикость" for animalistic traits and "жестокость" for intentional harm.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "жестокость" with "жесткость" (hardness or rigidity): English learners might misuse "жесткость" thinking it means savagery, but it actually refers to physical firmness. Incorrect: "Его жесткость в бою" (meaning his savagery in battle, but implying stiffness). Correct: "Его жестокость в бою" – Explanation: "Жесткость" lacks the emotional cruelty connotation.
• Overusing in plural forms: Forgetting that "жестокость" is typically uncountable. Incorrect: "жестокости" as a plural noun. Correct: Use in singular or with qualifiers like "много жестокости" (much savagery). Explanation: This error stems from English habits of pluralizing abstract concepts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "жестокость" often appear in literature, such as in Dostoevsky's works, where they reflect themes of human suffering and moral dilemmas under historical hardships like the Soviet era. "Дикость" can evoke Russia's vast wilderness, symbolizing the untamed aspects of the national identity, as seen in folklore and environmental discussions.

Related Concepts:

• насилие (nasilie) - Violence
• варварство (varvarstvo) - Barbarism
• жестокий (zhestokiy) - Cruel (adjective form)