Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sinful'

English Word: sinful

Key Russian Translations:

• грешный [ˈɡrʲɛʂnɨj] - [Formal, often used in religious or moral contexts]
• порочный [pɐˈrovt͡ɕɪɪ̯] - [Informal or Literary, implying moral corruption or depravity]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, religious texts, and discussions on ethics, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding adjective inflections and contextual nuances; for 'грешный', it's straightforward for learners familiar with basic adjectives, while 'порочный' may require more advanced vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

грешный: [ˈɡrʲɛʂnɨj]

порочный: [pɐˈrovt͡ɕɪɪ̯]

Note on грешный: The 'ш' sound (as in [ʂ]) can be tricky for English speakers; it's similar to the 'sh' in 'sheep' but more guttural. Pay attention to the stress on the first syllable.

Note on порочный: The 'о' in the second syllable is reduced in casual speech, sounding like a quick schwa [ə], which is common in Russian unstressed vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Full of sin, wickedness, or moral corruption (e.g., describing actions or people that are ethically wrong)

Translation(s) & Context:

• грешный - Used in formal, religious, or philosophical contexts to denote something sinful in a spiritual sense, such as in discussions of morality or faith.
• порочный - Applied in informal or literary settings to describe habitual vice or depravity, often with a connotation of being deeply flawed.

Usage Examples:

• Он вёл грешную жизнь, полную соблазнов и искушений.

  He led a sinful life, full of temptations and seductions.

• Грешные мысли часто одолевают людей в моменты слабости.

  Sinful thoughts often overcome people in moments of weakness.

• Её порочный характер проявлялся в каждом решении.

  Her sinful nature was evident in every decision she made.

• В старом фильме показано, как порочные привычки разрушают судьбу героя.

  In the old film, sinful habits are shown destroying the hero's fate.

• Грешный поступок может привести к долгосрочным последствиям.

  A sinful act can lead to long-term consequences.

Meaning 2: Indulgent or pleasurable in a morally questionable way (e.g., describing temptations like rich foods or luxuries)

Translation(s) & Context:

• грешный - Used metaphorically in everyday language, especially in humorous or light-hearted contexts, to describe something enjoyably wrong, like "sinful chocolate."
• порочный - Less common here, but can imply a more serious, addictive quality in informal discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Этот десерт такой грешный, что невозможно устоять.

  This dessert is so sinful that it's impossible to resist.

• Грешные удовольствия, как вино и музыка, делают жизнь ярче.

  Sinful pleasures, like wine and music, make life brighter.

• Порочный вкус к азартным играм привёл его к проблемам.

  His sinful taste for gambling led him to troubles.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'грешный' and 'порочный' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for first-declension adjectives, with some irregularities in spelling due to palatalization.

For 'грешный' (more common):

For 'порочный', the inflections are similar but follow standard patterns without major irregularities:

These adjectives do not change in short form usage in some contexts, but full inflections are standard in modern Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • злое (zloye) - More general for evil, with a slight emphasis on malice.
  • нечестивый (nechestivyy) - Specifically religious, implying ungodly behavior; differs from 'грешный' by focusing on lack of piety.
• Antonyms:
  • благочестивый (blagochestivyy) - Pious or devout, directly opposite in moral contexts.
  • невинный (nevinnyy) - Innocent or pure, contrasting with the idea of sinfulness.

Related Phrases:

• грешный путь - A sinful path; refers to a lifestyle leading to moral downfall.
• порочный круг - A vicious cycle; used to describe self-perpetuating negative patterns, often in psychological or social contexts.
• грешные удовольствия - Sinful pleasures; common for describing indulgent activities with a hint of guilt.

Usage Notes:

'Грешный' directly corresponds to 'sinful' in religious or ethical contexts, making it a precise translation for spiritual discussions, while 'порочный' is better for broader moral corruption. Be mindful of context: 'грешный' is more formal and avoids slang, whereas 'порочный' can appear in literary works. In Russian, adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, so always inflect accordingly. When choosing between translations, opt for 'грешный' in faith-based scenarios and 'порочный' for everyday vices.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'грешный' interchangeably with 'порочный' without considering nuance. For example, learners might say "порочный жизнь" instead of "грешная жизнь" in a religious context.

  Correct: "Грешная жизнь" (A sinful life). Explanation: 'Порочный' implies deeper, habitual flaws, while 'грешный' is about specific sins; mixing them can confuse the moral tone.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect the adjective, e.g., saying "грешный женщина" instead of "грешная женщина".

  Correct: "Грешная женщина". Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender; this is a common mistake for English speakers used to invariable adjectives.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'грешный' are deeply tied to Orthodox Christianity, where sin (грех) plays a central role in moral and spiritual teachings. This reflects Russia's historical emphasis on religious redemption, so 'sinful' behaviors are often discussed in the context of confession and forgiveness, differing from more secular Western views.

Related Concepts:

• грех (greh) - Sin
• искушение (iskushenie) - Temptation
• мораль (moral') - Morality