Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'snobbish'

English Word: snobbish

Key Russian Translations:

• снобский [ˈsnopskʲɪj] - [Informal, often used in modern contexts to describe elitist attitudes]
• высокомерный [vɨsəkɐˈmʲɛrnɨj] - [Formal, emphasizing arrogance and condescension]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are not everyday vocabulary but appear in literature, media discussions on social class, and cultural critiques.)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian adjectives and nuances of social behavior descriptions. For 'снобский', it's slightly easier due to borrowed roots; for 'высокомерный', it may be B2-C1 due to its formal tone.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

снобский: [ˈsnopskʲɪj] (Stress on the first syllable; the 'о' is pronounced as a short 'o', and the ending softens in certain contexts.)

высокомерный: [vɨsəkɐˈmʲɛrnɨj] (Stress on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'мʲ' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.)

Note on снобский: This word is a loanword from English, so its pronunciation closely mirrors the original, but Russians may soften the consonants for a more fluid sound.

Note on высокомерный: Be cautious with the vowel reductions in unstressed syllables, common in Russian speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Behaving in a way that shows one believes they are superior due to taste, social status, or education.

Translation(s) & Context:

• снобский - Used in informal or semi-formal contexts to describe someone with pretentious tastes, e.g., in fashion or art criticism.
• высокомерный - Applied in more formal or serious discussions, such as in literature or social commentary, to highlight condescending behavior.

Usage Examples:

• Его снобский подход к еде раздражает друзей. (His snobbish approach to food annoys his friends.)

  Translation: His snobbish approach to food annoys his friends. (This example shows 'снобский' in a casual, everyday context describing personal habits.)

• Она всегда высокомерная на вечеринках, где обсуждают искусство. (She is always snobbish at parties where art is discussed.)

  Translation: She is always snobbish at parties where art is discussed. (Here, 'высокомерная' illustrates the adjective in a social setting, declined for feminine gender.)

• Этот ресторан привлекает снобских гурманов из высшего общества. (This restaurant attracts snobbish gourmets from high society.)

  Translation: This restaurant attracts snobbish gourmets from high society. (Demonstrates 'снобских' in plural, genitive case, within a phrase.)

• Высокомерный тон его речи отпугивает потенциальных друзей. (His snobbish tone in speech drives away potential friends.)

  Translation: His snobbish tone in speech drives away potential friends. (Shows 'высокомерный' modifying a noun and in a behavioral context.)

• Снобский вкус в музыке делает его изгоем в компании. (His snobbish taste in music makes him an outcast in the group.)

  Translation: His snobbish taste in music makes him an outcast in the group. (Illustrates 'снобский' with a possessive structure.)

Meaning 2: Exhibiting excessive pride in one's cultural or intellectual preferences.

Translation(s) & Context:

• снобский - Common in cultural critiques, e.g., film or book reviews.
• высокомерный - Used in educational or professional settings to denote intellectual superiority.

Usage Examples:

• Его снобский комментарий о классической литературе шокировал аудиторию. (His snobbish comment about classical literature shocked the audience.)

  Translation: His snobbish comment about classical literature shocked the audience. (Highlights 'снобский' in a nominative context.)

• Высокомерные критики часто игнорируют народное искусство. (Snobbish critics often ignore folk art.)

  Translation: Snobbish critics often ignore folk art. (Shows 'высокомерные' in plural form.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'снобский' and 'высокомерный' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for hard-stem adjectives.

For 'снобский' (irregular due to its borrowed nature but follows general rules):

For 'высокомерный' (regular adjective):

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form but can vary in comparative forms (e.g., снобнее for 'more snobbish').

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • надменный (more intense, implying overt disdain)
  • самодовольный (self-satisfied, with a focus on personal pride)
• Antonyms:
  • скромный (modest, humble in everyday use)
  • демократичный (democratic, egalitarian in social contexts)

Related Phrases:

• снобское поведение (snobbish behavior) - Refers to actions that display elitism in social interactions.
• высокомерный тон (snobbish tone) - Describes a condescending manner of speaking or writing.
• снобский элитизм (snobbish elitism) - A phrase used in cultural discussions to critique exclusionary attitudes.

Usage Notes:

'Снобский' is a direct borrow from English and is more common in urban, intellectual circles, while 'высокомерный' is a native Russian word with broader application. Choose 'снобский' for contexts involving cultural pretension, as it aligns closely with the English 'snobbish'. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, and avoid overusing these in casual speech, as they can sound formal or judgmental. In Russian, adjectives like these often require case alignment with the nouns they modify.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'снобский' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "он снобский человек" instead of "он снобский человек" (correct, but learners might forget case in phrases like "о снобском поведении"). Correct: Ensure agreement, as in "его снобское поведение". Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's case, number, and gender.
• Error: Confusing 'высокомерный' with 'снобский', using them interchangeably. Correct: 'Высокомерный' implies active arrogance, while 'снобский' suggests passive superiority. Example: Incorrect: "Он снобский в работе" when meaning overt disdain; Better: "Он высокомерный в работе".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'снобский' often evoke historical class distinctions from the tsarist era or Soviet intelligentsia, where intellectual elitism was both criticized and celebrated. This reflects a broader societal tension between populism and high culture, as seen in literature by authors like Chekhov, who satirized snobbish behaviors in urban society.

Related Concepts:

• элита (elite)
• аристократ (aristocrat)
• интеллигенция (intelligentsia)