Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scapegoat'

English Word: scapegoat

Key Russian Translations:

• козел отпущения [ˈkozʲɪl ɐtpuˈʂːenʲɪjə] - [Formal, Idiomatic expression]

Frequency: Medium (This phrase is commonly used in formal, literary, psychological, or journalistic contexts, but less so in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding idiomatic expressions and cultural references; suitable for learners with a grasp of basic Russian grammar and vocabulary.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

козел отпущения: [ˈkozʲɪl ɐtpuˈʂːenʲɪjə]

Note on козел отпущения: Stress falls on the first syllable of each word. The 'щ' in 'отпущения' is pronounced as a soft, palatalized [ʂ], which can be challenging for beginners. Pronunciation may vary slightly in different Russian dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person or entity unfairly blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others

Translation(s) & Context:

• козел отпущения - Used in formal discussions, literature, politics, or psychology to describe someone taking blame on behalf of others, often unjustly. This is the most direct and idiomatic equivalent.

Usage Examples:

• В политике часто находят козла отпущения для неудач правительства.

  In politics, they often find a scapegoat for the government's failures.

• Компания сделала из менеджера козла отпущения, чтобы избежать ответственности.

  The company made the manager a scapegoat to avoid responsibility.

• В истории многие правители использовали козла отпущения, чтобы успокоить народ.

  In history, many rulers used a scapegoat to pacify the people.

• Психологи объясняют, почему люди склонны искать козла отпущения в конфликтных ситуациях.

  Psychologists explain why people tend to seek a scapegoat in conflict situations.

• Во время кризиса СМИ превратили знаменитость в козла отпущения за социальные проблемы.

  During the crisis, the media turned the celebrity into a scapegoat for social issues.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Козел отпущения" is a fixed idiomatic phrase, but its components can inflect based on Russian grammar rules. "Козел" is a masculine noun (second declension), and "отпущения" is the genitive singular form of "отпущение" (a neuter noun). The phrase as a whole is often used in its base form but can vary in sentences.

For "козел" (goat, as a noun):

"Отпущения" typically remains in genitive form in this phrase and does not change frequently. The entire phrase is invariant in most contexts, making it straightforward once memorized.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • жертва (zhertva) - More general, meaning "victim"; used when emphasizing sacrifice rather than blame.
  • подставной (podstavnoy) - Implies someone set up to take the fall, often in informal or criminal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • виновный (vinovnyy) - Meaning "guilty one," referring to the actual perpetrator.
  • невиновный (nevinovnyy) - Meaning "innocent," contrasting with the idea of unjust blame.

Related Phrases:

• Искать козла отпущения - To look for a scapegoat; used in investigative or blame-shifting contexts.
• Сделать кого-то козлом отпущения - To make someone a scapegoat; implies deliberate action in conflicts.
• Козлы отпущения в истории - Scapegoats in history; a common phrase in educational or historical discussions, referring to historical figures blamed unjustly.

Usage Notes:

This translation corresponds closely to the English "scapegoat," originating from biblical references (e.g., in the Old Testament). It is typically used in formal or written Russian rather than casual speech. When choosing between translations like "козел отпущения" and "жертва," opt for the former for precise idiomatic match; "жертва" is broader and less specific. Be mindful of context: in psychological or legal settings, it carries connotations of injustice. Grammatically, treat it as a noun phrase and ensure agreement with adjectives or verbs as needed.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "козел" alone without "отпущения," which might confuse it with just "goat" in a literal sense. Correct: Always pair it as "козел отпущения" for the idiomatic meaning. Example of error: "Он козел" (He is a goat) vs. Correct: "Он козел отпущения" (He is a scapegoat). This error stems from not recognizing the full phrase as an idiom.

• Mistake: Incorrectly inflecting the phrase in sentences, e.g., saying "козлом отпущениями" instead of properly declining. Correct: In instrumental case, it might be "с козлом отпущения," but the phrase is often kept intact. Explanation: Russian learners often over-inflect fixed expressions, leading to awkwardness.

Cultural Notes:

The phrase "козел отпущения" derives from ancient Jewish traditions described in the Bible (Leviticus 16), where a goat was symbolically burdened with sins and sent away. In Russian culture, it retains this historical and religious connotation, often appearing in literature, politics, and media to critique systems of blame. This reflects a broader Slavic cultural emphasis on collective responsibility and the human tendency to externalize faults.

Related Concepts:

• жертва (zhertva)
• подставка (podstavka)
• ответственность (otvetstvennost')
• вина (vina)