Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'servility'

English Word: servility

Key Russian Translations:

• Раболепие (/rə.bɐˈlʲe.pʲɪ.jɛ/) - [Formal, often used in literary or critical contexts]
• Угодливость (/ʊˈɡod.lʲɪ.vəsʲtʲ/) - [Informal, everyday usage, can imply excessive flattery]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear moderately in Russian literature, media, and discussions on social behavior, but not as commonly as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and nuanced social behaviors. For 'раболепие', it may lean towards B2 due to its formal nature, while 'угодливость' could be slightly easier at B1.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Раболепие: /rə.bɐˈlʲe.pʲɪ.jɛ/

Note on Раболепие: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the soft 'лʲ' sound, which is a palatalized 'l' common in Russian. This can vary slightly in fast speech.

Угодливость: /ʊˈɡod.lʲɪ.vəsʲtʲ/

Note on Угодливость: Stress falls on the second syllable; the ending '-ость' is pronounced with a soft 'sʲ', which might be challenging for beginners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: The state of being excessively submissive or obsequious.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Раболепие - Used in formal, literary, or critical contexts to describe deep-seated servility, often with a negative connotation in professional or social settings.
• Угодливость - Applied in everyday informal situations, such as interpersonal relationships, where it might imply flattery to gain favor.

Usage Examples:

• Его раболепие перед начальством вызывало отвращение у коллег. (His servility towards his superiors disgusted his colleagues.)

  English Translation: His servility towards his superiors disgusted his colleagues.

• В этой компании угодливость сотрудников часто приводит к потере уважения. (In this company, the servility of employees often leads to loss of respect.)

  English Translation: In this company, the servility of employees often leads to loss of respect.

• Раболепие исторических фигур в романе подчеркивает тему социального неравенства. (The servility of historical figures in the novel highlights the theme of social inequality.)

  English Translation: The servility of historical figures in the novel highlights the theme of social inequality.

• Её угодливость в разговоре с клиентами кажется наигранной. (Her servility in conversations with clients seems forced.)

  English Translation: Her servility in conversations with clients seems forced.

• В повседневной жизни чрезмерная угодливость может быть воспринята как слабость. (In everyday life, excessive servility can be perceived as weakness.)

  English Translation: In everyday life, excessive servility can be perceived as weakness.

Secondary Meaning: Behavior showing undue deference in social or professional hierarchies.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Угодливость - Common in contexts involving personal interactions, such as family or workplace dynamics.
• Раболепие - More abstract, often in historical or philosophical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Раболепие перед властью было типичным для феодального общества. (Servility towards authority was typical in feudal society.)

  English Translation: Servility towards authority was typical in feudal society.

• Его угодливость в переговорах помогла заключить сделку, но стоила доверия. (His servility in negotiations helped seal the deal but cost him trust.)

  English Translation: His servility in negotiations helped seal the deal but cost him trust.

• В современной культуре раболепие часто критикуется как пережиток прошлого. (In modern culture, servility is often criticized as a relic of the past.)

  English Translation: In modern culture, servility is often criticized as a relic of the past.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'раболепие' and 'угодливость' are abstract feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard noun declension patterns. They are invariable in the nominative singular but change according to case, number, and gender rules.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular inflections but are not frequently pluralized due to their abstract nature.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Подхалимство (subservience, with a more negative, sycophantic connotation)
  • Лизоблюдство (flattery, often used interchangeably with угодливость in informal contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • Гордость (pride, as it contrasts with submissive behavior)
  • Независимость (independence, emphasizing self-reliance over servility)

Related Phrases:

• Раболепное поведение (Servile behavior) - Refers to actions that demonstrate excessive submission in social interactions.
• Угодливость в отношениях (Servility in relationships) - Describes overly deferential attitudes in personal or romantic contexts, often leading to imbalance.
• Преувеличенная угодливость (Exaggerated servility) - A phrase used to highlight insincere flattery in professional settings.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'раболепие' is a more formal equivalent to 'servility' and is often used in written or academic contexts to discuss historical or societal issues, while 'угодливость' is more versatile for everyday conversation. Choose 'раболепие' for nuanced, critical discussions and 'угодливость' for relational dynamics. Be aware of the negative cultural undertones, as both imply weakness or insincerity. Grammatically, these nouns require appropriate case agreement with prepositions and verbs.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'раболепие' with 'рабство' (slavery) - Error: Using 'рабство' to mean servility, e.g., "Его рабство перед боссом" (incorrect). Correct: "Его раболепие перед боссом". Explanation: 'Рабство' refers to literal enslavement, not behavioral submission.
• Overusing in informal speech - Error: Forgetting context and using 'раболепие' in casual talk, which sounds overly formal. Correct: Opt for 'угодливость' in everyday scenarios. Explanation: This can make speech sound stilted; match the word to the register.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'раболепие' often stem from historical contexts such as serfdom in the 19th century, reflecting themes of social hierarchy and oppression in literature by authors like Tolstoy. It carries a deep connotation of critiquing authoritarian structures, making it a loaded term in discussions of personal dignity and freedom.

Related Concepts:

• Подхалимаж (sycophancy)
• Самоуважение (self-respect)
• Иерархия (hierarchy)