Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scoundrel'

English Word: scoundrel

Key Russian Translations:

• Негодяй /nʲɪˈɡodʲaj/ - [Informal, often used in everyday speech for a deceitful or villainous person]
• Подлец /ˈpodʲlʲɛts/ - [Formal, literary context, implying moral baseness or treachery]
• Мошенник /mɐˈʂɛnnʲik/ - [Neutral, specifically for a swindler or fraudster, can be used in legal or casual contexts]

Frequency: Medium (These words are commonly encountered in Russian literature, media, and conversation, but not as everyday as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual nuances, with variations in formality across translations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Негодяй: /nʲɪˈɡodʲaj/

Note on Негодяй: The stress is on the third syllable; the initial 'н' is palatalized, which can be tricky for English speakers. Practice with soft consonants.

Подлец: /ˈpodʲlʲɛts/

Note on Подлец: Stress on the first syllable; the 'л' is soft, common in Russian words with moral connotations.

Мошенник: /mɐˈʂɛnnʲik/

Note on Мошенник: The 'ш' sound is retroflex, similar to English 'sh' but more emphatic; stress on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A dishonest or unscrupulous person, often with a negative moral judgment.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Негодяй - Used in informal, everyday contexts to describe someone untrustworthy, such as in personal stories or casual complaints.
• Подлец - Applied in more formal or literary settings, emphasizing betrayal or cowardice, e.g., in historical narratives.
• Мошенник - Common in contexts involving deception or crime, like business or legal discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он оказался настоящим негодяем, укравшим деньги у своей семьи.

  He turned out to be a real scoundrel, stealing money from his family.

• В романе главный герой разоблачает подлеца, который предал своих друзей.

  In the novel, the main character exposes the scoundrel who betrayed his friends.

• Этот мошенник обманул множество людей, продавая фальшивые товары.

  This scoundrel deceived many people by selling fake goods.

• Не верь этому негодяю; он всегда лжет, чтобы добиться своей цели.

  Don't trust this scoundrel; he always lies to achieve his goals.

• Подлец скрылся с деньгами, оставив компанию в руинах.

  The scoundrel fled with the money, leaving the company in ruins.

Secondary Meaning: A playful or affectionate term for mischief, though rare and context-dependent.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Негодяй - In humorous or ironic contexts, e.g., among friends teasing each other.

Usage Examples:

• Ты, старый негодяй, опять спрятал мои ключи!

  You old scoundrel, you've hidden my keys again!

• Этот негодяй всегда придумывает забавные розыгрыши.

  This scoundrel always comes up with funny pranks.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily masculine nouns, which inflect based on Russian case, number, and gender. "Негодяй" and "Подлец" follow standard first-declension patterns, while "Мошенник" is also a first-declension noun. Below is a table for "Негодяй" as an example; similar patterns apply to others with slight variations.

For "Подлец" and "Мошенник", the inflections are regular and similar, but "Мошенник" may vary slightly in plural forms due to its root. These words do not change for gender as they are inherently masculine.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Злодей (villain, with a more dramatic connotation)
  • Лжец (liar, emphasizing deceit)
  • Обманщик (deceiver, often in casual contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • Герой (hero, representing moral uprightness)
  • Честный человек (honest person, straightforward opposition)

Related Phrases:

• Старый негодяй - An old scoundrel; used affectionately or derisively to describe a long-time troublemaker.
• Подлый мошенник - A despicable fraudster; implies both treachery and deception in formal accusations.
• Негодяй из прошлого - A scoundrel from the past; often in storytelling to refer to historical villains.

Usage Notes:

"Scoundrel" translates variably in Russian based on context: "Негодяй" is ideal for informal, everyday use, while "Подлец" suits literary or serious discussions. Be cautious with formality—using "Негодяй" in professional settings might sound too casual. Grammatically, these nouns require correct case agreement, e.g., in prepositional phrases. When choosing among translations, opt for "Мошенник" if the context involves financial deceit, as it carries legal undertones.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "Негодяй" in formal writing without adjusting for context. Correct: Replace with "Подлец" for a more polished tone. Example of error: "Он негодяй в компании" (informal); Correct: "Он подлец в компании" for formal settings.
• Mistake: Forgetting noun inflections, e.g., saying "Я видел негодяй" instead of "Я видел негодяя" (accusative case). Explanation: Russian requires case changes based on sentence structure, unlike English.
• Mistake: Confusing with similar words like "Гад" (bastard), which is more vulgar. Correct: Use "Негодяй" for a broader negative connotation without excessive profanity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Негодяй" often appear in literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works) to depict complex villains, reflecting themes of moral ambiguity and redemption. This reflects Russia's historical emphasis on character depth in storytelling, where a "scoundrel" might be portrayed with sympathy rather than outright condemnation.

Related Concepts:

• Злодей
• Преступник
• Обман
• Герой