Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scruple'

English Word: scruple

Key Russian Translations:

• скрупул [skruˈpul] - [Formal; used in philosophical or ethical discussions]
• нравственное сомнение [nraˈvnəstnəje səmˈnɛnʲije] - [Informal; more descriptive in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in modern Russian; it's more prevalent in literary or academic settings.)

Difficulty: Advanced (C1 level; requires familiarity with nuanced ethical vocabulary. For 'скрупул', it's particularly advanced due to its borrowed status; 'нравственное сомнение' is B2.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

скрупул: [skruˈpul]

Note on скрупул: The stress falls on the second syllable ("pu"). This is a borrowed word from English/French, so pronunciation may vary slightly by region, but the standard is as above.

Audio: []

нравственное сомнение: [nraˈvnəstnəje səmˈnɛnʲije]

Note on нравственное сомнение: The word "нравственное" is an adjective and follows standard Russian stress patterns; "сомнение" has stress on the second syllable. Pay attention to the soft sign in "нʲije" for accurate pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Moral doubt or hesitation (primary meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• скрупул - Used in formal, ethical, or philosophical contexts, such as discussions about morality or decision-making.
• нравственное сомнение - Applied in more everyday situations, like personal dilemmas, and is less formal than скрупул.

Usage Examples:

• Его скрупул не позволил ему принять участие в обмане.

  His scruple prevented him from taking part in the deception.

• В этических дебатах часто возникает нравственное сомнение по поводу правильности действий.

  In ethical debates, moral doubt often arises regarding the correctness of actions.

• Она испытывала скрупул, решая, стоит ли раскрывать секрет.

  She felt a scruple when deciding whether to reveal the secret.

• Нравственное сомнение заставило его пересмотреть свои планы.

  The moral doubt made him reconsider his plans.

• В повседневной жизни скрупул может проявляться как внутренний конфликт.

  In everyday life, a scruple can manifest as an internal conflict.

Secondary meaning (e.g., as an archaic unit of weight)

Translation(s) & Context:

• скрупул - Rarely used; in historical or scientific contexts, referring to a unit of apothecary weight.

Usage Examples:

• В старых рецептах упоминается скрупул как мера веса.

  In old recipes, scruple is mentioned as a unit of weight.

• Скрупул в аптекарском деле эквивалентен двадцати гранулам.

  A scruple in apothecary terms is equivalent to twenty grains.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Скрупул' is a masculine noun (borrowed from English/French) and typically follows the third declension pattern in Russian, though it's often used in its base form due to its rarity.

For 'нравственное сомнение', 'нравственное' is an adjective that agrees with the noun 'сомнение' (neuter, third declension). It changes based on case and number, e.g., Nominative: нравственное сомнение; Genitive: нравственного сомнения.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сомнение (doubt; more general)
  • угрызения совести (pangs of conscience; implies deeper remorse)
• Antonyms:
  • уверенность (certainty; complete lack of doubt)
  • бессовестность (shamelessness; absence of moral hesitation)

Related Phrases:

• Моральный скрупул - A moral scruple; used in ethical discussions to describe inner conflict.
• Испытывать нравственное сомнение - To experience moral doubt; common in personal decision-making contexts.
• Угрызения совести - Pangs of conscience; a related phrase implying regret from past actions.

Usage Notes:

'Scruple' in English corresponds most closely to 'скрупул' in formal Russian, but 'нравственное сомнение' is often preferred in modern usage for its clarity. Be cautious with context: 'скрупул' is typically reserved for philosophical texts, while 'нравственное сомнение' fits everyday conversations. Grammatically, ensure adjectives like 'нравственное' agree in case, number, and gender with the noun. When choosing between translations, opt for 'нравственное сомнение' for learners to avoid overly archaic language.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'скрупул' in informal settings, e.g., saying "Я имею скрупул" instead of "Я испытываю нравственное сомнение". Correct: The latter is more natural. Explanation: 'Скрупул' sounds overly formal or outdated, leading to confusion or miscommunication in casual speech.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., using 'скрупула' (genitive) where nominative is needed. Correct: Match the case, as in "Его скрупул" for nominative. Explanation: Russian nouns require proper declension; English speakers often overlook this, resulting in grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'скрупул' or 'нравственное сомнение' are often tied to literary traditions, such as in the works of Dostoevsky, where moral dilemmas are central. This reflects a broader emphasis on introspection and ethical philosophy in Russian literature, differing from more pragmatic approaches in some Western contexts.

Related Concepts:

• совесть (conscience)
• этика (ethics)
• мораль (morality)