Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sexuality'

English Word: sexuality

Key Russian Translations:

• сексуальность [sʲɪk.su.ɐlʲ.nəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Abstract]
• половая принадлежность [ˈpolə.və.jə prɪ.nə.ˈlʲuʒ.nəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Legal or Sociological]

Frequency: Medium (Common in academic, psychological, and social discussions, but less frequent in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves abstract concepts and nuanced vocabulary; for 'половая принадлежность', it may lean towards B2-C1 due to its contextual specificity)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сексуальность: [sʲɪk.su.ɐlʲ.nəsʲtʲ]

Note on сексуальность: The stress falls on the third syllable ('su.'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to Russian's complex vowel reductions. Pronounce it with a soft 'л' sound, common in Russian.

половая принадлежность: [ˈpolə.və.jə prɪ.nə.ˈlʲuʒ.nəsʲtʲ]

Note on половая принадлежность: The word has a strong initial stress on 'po-', and the 'ж' in 'принадлежность' is a voiced fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure'. Avoid over-emphasizing the vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The quality of being sexual, including sexual orientation, desires, and characteristics.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сексуальность - Used in psychological, biological, or everyday discussions about human sexuality and identity; common in formal writing or education.
• половая принадлежность - Applied in legal, sociological, or gender-related contexts, such as identity documents or discussions on rights.

Usage Examples:

• В современной психологии сексуальность рассматривается как важный аспект человеческой идентичности.

  In modern psychology, sexuality is considered an important aspect of human identity.

• Его книга обсуждает эволюцию сексуальности в разных культурах.

  His book discusses the evolution of sexuality in various cultures.

• Половая принадлежность человека не должна определять его социальный статус.

  A person's sexuality should not determine their social status.

• Обсуждение сексуальности в семье может быть деликатным, но необходимым.

  Discussing sexuality within the family can be delicate but necessary.

• В юридических документах половая принадлежность часто указывается для защиты прав.

  In legal documents, sexuality is often specified for rights protection.

Sexual orientation or preferences as a social concept.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сексуальность - Used in contexts involving LGBTQ+ discussions or personal identity; informal to formal depending on setting.

Usage Examples:

• Школа проводит семинары по сексуальности, чтобы повысить осведомленность среди подростков.

  The school holds seminars on sexuality to raise awareness among teenagers.

• Ее сексуальность всегда была частью ее самоидентификации.

  Her sexuality has always been a part of her self-identity.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are feminine nouns in Russian, which follow standard declension patterns for abstract concepts. 'Сексуальность' is an abstract feminine noun and inflects regularly, while 'половая принадлежность' is a compound phrase that inflects based on its components.

Note: These words do not have irregular inflections but require attention to gender agreement in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • либидо [lʲɪˈbʲi.də] - More focused on sexual drive; often used in psychological contexts.
  • эротичность [ɪ.rɐˈtʲitɕ.nəsʲtʲ] - Emphasizes erotic aspects; less formal than сексуальность.
• Antonyms:
  • асексуальность [ɐ.sʲɪk.su.ɐlʲ.nəsʲtʲ] - Refers to the absence of sexual attraction.
  • бестелесность [bʲɪs.tʲɪˈlʲɛs.nəsʲtʲ] - Implies a lack of physical or sexual embodiment, though less direct.

Related Phrases:

• Сексуальное влечение - Sexual attraction; used in discussions of relationships or psychology.
• Половое воспитание - Sex education; common in educational contexts to refer to teaching about sexuality.
• Гендерная сексуальность - Gendered sexuality; a phrase for exploring intersections of gender and sexual identity.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'сексуальность' directly corresponds to the English 'sexuality' in most abstract senses, but it's more formal and less commonly used in casual conversation compared to English. Choose 'половая принадлежность' for legal or identity-related contexts to avoid ambiguity. Be mindful of cultural sensitivities in Russia, where discussions of sexuality may involve euphemisms or indirect language in conservative settings. Grammatically, ensure agreement with feminine nouns and use in genitive cases for possession, e.g., "исследование сексуальности" (study of sexuality).

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'сексуальность' with 'секс' (sex), which is more vulgar and refers to the act itself. Error: Using 'секс' in a formal context like "My sexuality is private" (Incorrect: "Мой секс - частный"). Correct: "Моя сексуальность - частная". Explanation: 'Секс' is too direct and informal; opt for 'сексуальность' for broader concepts.
• Overlooking gender agreement, e.g., saying "этот сексуальность" instead of "эта сексуальность" (since it's feminine). Error: "Этот сексуальность важна" (Incorrect). Correct: "Эта сексуальность важна". Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, which English speakers often forget.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions of sexuality have historically been influenced by conservative norms, especially under Soviet-era censorship. Terms like 'сексуальность' gained prominence in post-Soviet times with greater openness, but they still carry connotations of taboo in rural or traditional communities. Understanding this helps English users navigate sensitive topics in media or interpersonal interactions.

Related Concepts:

• гендер (gender)
• идентичность (identity)
• любовь (love)