Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'slur'

English Word: slur

Key Russian Translations:

• оскорбление /ɐˈskɐrblʲɪnʲe/ - [Formal, Singular]
• ругательство /rʊɡɐˈtʲelʲstvə/ - [Informal, Often in everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions of social issues but not everyday vocabulary)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual nuances)

Pronunciation (Russian):

оскорбление: /ɐˈskɐrblʲɪnʲe/

Note on оскорбление: The stress falls on the third syllable ("blʲɪ"). Be careful with the palatalized 'л' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

ругательство: /rʊɡɐˈtʲelʲstvə/

Note on ругательство: The initial 'р' is rolled, and the word ends with a soft vowel sound; this can vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: An insulting or disparaging remark, often with racial, ethnic, or social connotations

Translation(s) & Context:

• оскорбление - Used in formal contexts, such as legal, media, or educational discussions; implies a deliberate offense.
• ругательство - Applied in informal, everyday situations like arguments or casual conversations; often more vulgar.

Usage Examples:

• Его слова прозвучали как оскорбление, оскорбляющее достоинство других.

  His words sounded like a slur, offending the dignity of others.

• В общественной дискуссии избегайте ругательств, чтобы не вызвать конфликт.

  In public discussions, avoid slurs to prevent conflict.

• Это ругательство было произнесено в гневе, но оно не оправдано.

  That slur was uttered in anger, but it wasn't justified.

• Оскорбление в СМИ может привести к юридическим последствиям.

  A slur in the media can lead to legal consequences.

• Родители научили детей игнорировать уличные ругательства.

  Parents taught their children to ignore street slurs.

Meaning 2: A mumbled or unclear pronunciation (e.g., in speech)

Translation(s) & Context:

• нечёткое произношение - Used in linguistic or educational contexts; less common but precise for speech defects.

Usage Examples:

• Его нечёткое произношение слов делает речь трудной для понимания.

  His slur in pronouncing words makes speech hard to understand.

• Врач диагностировал лёгкое нечёткое произношение у ребёнка.

  The doctor diagnosed a slight slur in the child's pronunciation.

• Из-за усталости у него появилось нечёткое произношение в конце дня.

  Due to fatigue, he developed a slur in his pronunciation by the end of the day.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns, so they follow standard Russian declension patterns. "Оскорбление" is a neuter noun in the second declension, while "ругательство" is also neuter but can vary slightly. Below is a table for "оскорбление" as an example:

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	оскорбление	оскорбления
Genitive	оскорбления	оскорблений
Dative	оскорблению	оскорблениям
Accusative	оскорбление	оскорбления
Instrumental	оскорблением	оскорблениями
Prepositional	оскорблении	оскорблениях

For "ругательство", it follows a similar pattern but is less commonly inflected in informal use. Words like these do not change for gender but must agree in case and number with other elements in the sentence.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • порицание (poritsaniye) - Similar to "оскорбление" but milder, often used in formal criticism.
  • брань (bran') - Close to "ругательство", implying verbal abuse.
• Antonyms:
  • хвала (khvala) - Praise, the opposite of a disparaging remark.
  • комплимент (kompliment) - Compliment, contrasting with insulting language.

Related Phrases:

• Расистское оскорбление - A racial slur; used in contexts discussing discrimination.
• Выкрикивать ругательства - To shout slurs; common in heated arguments or protests.
• Избегать нечёткого произношения - To avoid slurred speech; relevant in language learning or public speaking.

Usage Notes:

"Slur" in English often carries a strong negative connotation, especially in social contexts, and its Russian equivalents like "оскорбление" or "ругательство" should be used cautiously. "Оскорбление" is more formal and legalistic, making it suitable for written or professional settings, while "ругательство" is informal and can be offensive. English learners should note that Russian nouns require case agreement; for example, use the genitive case after prepositions like "от" (from). When choosing between translations, opt for "оскорбление" in neutral or serious discussions and "ругательство" for everyday, emotional language.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "оскорбление" in informal contexts where it sounds overly stiff. Correct: Switch to "ругательство" for casual speech. Example of error: "Он сказал оскорбление на улице" (sounds formal); Correct: "Он выкрикнул ругательство на улице". Explanation: Russian speakers prefer contextually appropriate vocabulary to avoid seeming unnatural.

• Error: Forgetting noun declensions, e.g., saying "говорить об оскорбление" instead of "говорить об оскорблении". Correct: Always adjust for genitive case. Explanation: This is a common mistake for English speakers due to English's lack of cases, leading to grammatical errors in Russian sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, using words like "оскорбление" or "ругательство" can evoke strong reactions due to historical sensitivities around censorship and free speech, especially post-Soviet era. Slurs related to ethnicity or politics are particularly taboo and can lead to legal action under Russia's laws against hate speech, reflecting a broader cultural emphasis on social harmony and respect in public discourse.

Related Concepts:

• дискриминация (diskriminatsiya)
• предрассудок (predrassudok)
• языковой барьер (yazykovoy bar'er)