Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scum'

English Word: scum

Key Russian Translations:

• отброс [ɐtˈbros] - [Informal, Plural, Often metaphorical for worthless people or waste]
• подонок [pədɐˈnok] - [Informal, Singular, Used for despicable individuals]
• шлак [ʂlak] - [Formal, Neutral, Refers to physical residue like slag]

Frequency: Medium - The word 'scum' and its translations are not everyday vocabulary but appear in discussions about society, waste, or criticism.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Involves understanding metaphorical uses and basic Russian noun declensions; for 'отброс' and 'подонок', it's B2 due to informal connotations, while 'шлак' is A2 for literal contexts.

Pronunciation (Russian):

отброс: [ɐtˈbros]

подонок: [pədɐˈnok]

шлак: [ʂlak]

Note on отброс: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the 'р' sound, which is a rolled 'r' in some dialects.

Note on подонок: Pronounce the 'о' as a short vowel; this word has a strong informal tone that can vary regionally.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Literal meaning: Waste or residue (e.g., physical scum on water or industrial slag)

Translation(s) & Context:

• шлак - Used in scientific or industrial contexts, such as describing metal processing waste.

Usage Examples:

• В котле образовался шлак от кипячения воды.

  In the boiler, scum formed from boiling water.

• Этот шлак нужно удалить, чтобы предотвратить коррозию.

  This scum needs to be removed to prevent corrosion.

• В химических экспериментах шлак часто отделяют от чистых веществ.

  In chemical experiments, scum is often separated from pure substances.

• После дождя на поверхности пруда плавает шлак.

  After the rain, scum floats on the surface of the pond.

2. Metaphorical meaning: Despicable people or the lowest elements of society

Translation(s) & Context:

• отброс - Informal, used in everyday speech or literature to describe societal outcasts.
• подонок - Informal, often in heated discussions or media to criticize individuals.

Usage Examples:

• Эти отбросы общества не заслуживают нашего внимания.

  These scum of society don't deserve our attention.

• Он всегда окружён подонками, которые эксплуатируют его слабости.

  He's always surrounded by scum who exploit his weaknesses.

• В фильме показано, как отбросы преступного мира пытаются выжить.

  The film shows how the scum of the criminal world try to survive.

• Подонок вроде него не должен быть в нашей компании.

  A scum like him shouldn't be in our company.

• Общество должно бороться с отбросами, которые сеют хаос.

  Society must fight against the scum that sow chaos.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'отброс' (a masculine noun), it follows standard Russian declension patterns for nouns ending in a consonant. It is irregular in plural forms due to its root.

For 'подонок' (also masculine), it has similar declensions:

'Шлак' is a masculine noun with regular declensions and no significant irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мусор (músor) - More neutral for waste; less derogatory than отброс.
  • негодяй (negodáy) - Similar to подонок, but with a focus on moral depravity.
  • осадок (osadók) - For literal scum, emphasizing sediment.
• Antonyms:
  • элита (elíta) - Elite or high society.
  • чистота (chistóta) - Purity, opposite of waste or contamination.

Related Phrases:

• Отбросы общества - Scum of society; refers to the lowest social elements.
• Подонки преступного мира - Scum of the criminal world; used in discussions of organized crime.
• Собрать шлак - To collect scum; in a literal sense for cleaning or industrial processes.

Usage Notes:

'Scum' in English often carries a strong negative connotation, which aligns with Russian translations like 'отброс' or 'подонок'. These are best used in informal or expressive contexts, such as conversations or literature, but avoid them in formal writing. For literal meanings, 'шлак' is more precise in scientific settings. When choosing between translations, opt for 'отброс' for plural or group references and 'подонок' for individuals. Grammatically, these nouns require correct case agreement with prepositions and verbs.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'отброс' in formal contexts, e.g., "В отчёте упомянут отброс" instead of "шлак".
  Correct: "В отчёте упомянут шлак" – Explanation: 'Отброс' is too informal and metaphorical; 'шлак' fits technical discussions.
• Mistake: Incorrect declension, e.g., saying "с отбросом" when it should be "с отбросами" in plural contexts.
  Correct: Ensure proper case, like "с отбросами общества" – Explanation: Russian nouns change based on case, and learners often overlook plural forms.
• Mistake: Confusing with synonyms, e.g., using 'мусор' (trash) interchangeably with 'подонок', which can dilute the intensity.
  Correct: Use 'подонок' for personal attacks – Explanation: 'Мусор' is milder and more literal, so it doesn't convey the same level of disdain.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'отброс' and 'подонок' often appear in literature and media to critique social inequalities, reflecting historical contexts such as the Soviet era's emphasis on class struggle. They carry a strong emotional weight and are frequently used in populist rhetoric, highlighting societal divides rather than neutral descriptions.

Related Concepts:

• мусор
• негодяй
• осадок
• элита