slanderous
Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'slanderous'
English Word: slanderous
Key Russian Translations:
- Клеветнический [IPA: klʲɪvʲɪtʲˈnʲitɕɪskʲɪj] - [Formal, Legal contexts]
- Очернительский [IPA: ɐtɕɪrnʲɪˈtʲɛlʲskʲɪj] - [Informal, Journalistic settings]
Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in formal writing, legal discussions, and media, but not in everyday casual conversation.)
Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate for the first translation; C1 for the second, as it involves understanding nuanced legal or rhetorical language in Russian.)
Pronunciation (Russian):
Клеветнический: [IPA: klʲɪvʲɪtʲˈnʲitɕɪskʲɪj]
Очернительский: [IPA: ɐtɕɪrnʲɪˈtʲɛlʲskʲɪj]
Note on Клеветнический: The stress falls on the fourth syllable; be mindful of the palatalized 'т' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation may occur in regional dialects.
Audio: []
Meanings and Usage:
Meaning: Tending to slander or defame someone, often implying false and damaging statements.
Translation(s) & Context:
- Клеветнический - Used in formal or legal contexts to describe statements or actions that involve defamation, such as in court proceedings or official reports.
- Очернительский - Applied in informal or media contexts to denote smear tactics, often in journalism or public discourse.
Usage Examples:
-
Он распространил клеветнический слух о своем сопернике.
He spread a slanderous rumor about his rival.
-
Эта статья содержит очернительский материал, который может повредить репутации.
This article contains slanderous material that could damage the reputation.
-
Клеветнические обвинения в суде были отбиты с помощью доказательств.
The slanderous accusations in court were rebutted with evidence.
-
Очернительские кампании в интернете часто используют анонимные источники.
Slanderous campaigns on the internet often use anonymous sources.
-
Ее клеветническое заявление вызвало скандал в компании.
Her slanderous statement caused a scandal in the company.
Russian Forms/Inflections:
Both "Клеветнический" and "Очернительский" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow standard patterns for short and long forms, with variations for agreement with nouns.
| Form | Клеветнический (Example with a noun) | Очернительский (Example with a noun) |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine Singular Nominative | Клеветнический (e.g., клеветнический акт - slanderous act) | Очернительский (e.g., очернительский текст - slanderous text) |
| Feminine Singular Nominative | Клеветническая (e.g., клеветническая кампания - slanderous campaign) | Очернительская (e.g., очернительская атака - slanderous attack) |
| Neuter Singular Nominative | Клеветническое (e.g., клеветническое заявление - slanderous statement) | Очернительское (e.g., очернительское сообщение - slanderous message) |
| Plural Nominative | Клеветнические (e.g., клеветнические обвинения - slanderous accusations) | Очернительские (e.g., очернительские публикации - slanderous publications) |
| Other Cases (e.g., Genitive) | Клеветнического (e.g., в клеветническом контексте - in a slanderous context) | Очернительского (e.g., против очернительского влияния - against slanderous influence) |
Note: These adjectives do not have irregular inflections; they follow the standard first-declension pattern for adjectives in Russian.
Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:
- Synonyms:
- Оскорбительный (more general, implying offensive rather than specifically defamatory)
- Лживый (emphasizes falsehood, used in contexts where lies are central)
- Antonyms:
- Хвалебный (praising, complimentary)
- Защитный (defensive, protective)
Related Phrases:
- Клеветническая кампания - A organized effort to defame someone, often in media or politics (e.g., used in contexts of smear tactics).
- Очернительский текст - Slanderous writing or content, typically referring to defamatory articles or posts.
- Распространять клевету - To spread slander, a common phrase in legal discussions.
Usage Notes:
In Russian, "Клеветнический" is the most precise translation for "slanderous" in formal contexts, aligning closely with legal definitions of defamation under Russian law. It is typically used in written or official language, whereas "Очернительский" is more flexible for everyday or journalistic use. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, which can affect sentence structure. When choosing between translations, opt for "Клеветнический" in legal scenarios and "Очернительский" for broader criticisms. Be cautious with context: Russian culture emphasizes the impact of words on reputation, so these terms often carry stronger connotations than in English.
Common Errors:
- Mistake: Using "Клеветный" instead of "Клеветнический" (which is not a standard adjective form). Correct: Stick to "Клеветнический" for accuracy. Example of error: "Клеветный слух" (incorrect); Correct: "Клеветнический слух". Explanation: "Клеветный" is archaic or misused; always use the full adjectival form for modern Russian.
- Mistake: Failing to inflect the adjective properly, e.g., saying "Клеветнический женщина" instead of "Клеветническая женщина". Correct: Ensure gender agreement, as in "Клеветническая кампания". Explanation: This is a common error for English learners due to English's lack of grammatical gender.
Cultural Notes:
In Russian culture, terms like "Клеветнический" are tied to strict defamation laws, influenced by historical contexts such as Soviet-era censorship. Accusations of slander can lead to serious legal repercussions, reflecting a cultural emphasis on protecting personal honor and reputation, which differs from more lenient approaches in some English-speaking countries.
Related Concepts:
- Клевета (slander as a noun)
- Оговор (false accusation)
- Диффамация (a direct borrowing, related to defamation)