Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sociopath'

English Word: sociopath

Key Russian Translations:

• социопат [sɐˈtsʲiəpət] - [Formal, Psychological/Medical Context]

Frequency: Low (This term is specialized and primarily used in professional, psychological, or academic contexts rather than everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: Advanced (C1-C2, as it involves psychological terminology and requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and formal language; suitable for intermediate to advanced learners with a background in mental health concepts.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

социопат: [sɐˈtsʲiəpət]

Note on социопат: The stress falls on the third syllable ('pa'), and the 'ц' sound is a voiceless alveolar affricate, which may be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft 's' sound followed by 'ts' as in 'tsar'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A person with antisocial personality disorder, characterized by a lack of empathy, manipulative behavior, and disregard for social norms.

Translation(s) & Context:

• социопат - Used in formal psychological, medical, or legal discussions to describe individuals with persistent patterns of behavior that violate societal rules; avoid in casual conversations due to its clinical connotation.

Usage Examples:

• В психологии часто обсуждают, как социопат манипулирует окружающими для достижения своих целей.

  In psychology, they often discuss how a sociopath manipulates those around them to achieve their goals.

• Этот персонаж в фильме изображен как социопат, не испытывающий remorse за свои действия.

  This character in the film is portrayed as a sociopath who feels no remorse for their actions.

• Социопат может успешно функционировать в обществе, но его отсутствие empathy часто приводит к конфликтам.

  A sociopath may function successfully in society, but their lack of empathy often leads to conflicts.

• В реальной жизни распознать социопата сложно, поскольку они мастерски скрывают свои истинные намерения.

  In real life, it's difficult to identify a sociopath because they skillfully hide their true intentions.

• Терапевты обучают распознавать признаки социопата, чтобы предотвратить потенциальный вред.

  Therapists train people to recognize the signs of a sociopath to prevent potential harm.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Социопат" is a masculine noun (мужской род) borrowed from English via scientific terminology. It follows the standard first-declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with regular inflections based on case and number. However, as a modern loanword, it may not always vary in informal usage.

Note: In plural forms, the word remains relatively straightforward, but always check context for irregularities in modern Russian usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • психопат (psychopath) - Similar but often implies more extreme violence; used interchangeably in casual contexts, though 'психопат' may carry a broader connotation of mental instability.
  • асоциальный тип (asocial type) - Less clinical, used for someone who is withdrawn or non-conforming, but not as precise.
• Antonyms:
  • эмпатичный человек (empathetic person) - Refers to someone with high emotional awareness and consideration for others.
  • социально адаптированный (socially adapted) - Describes individuals who integrate well into society without harmful behaviors.

Related Phrases:

• социопатическое поведение (sociopathic behavior) - Refers to actions characterized by manipulation and lack of remorse, often discussed in therapeutic settings.
• расстройство социопата (sociopath disorder) - A phrase used to describe the mental health condition in diagnostic contexts.
• признаки социопата (signs of a sociopath) - Common in self-help or educational materials to identify traits like deceitfulness.

Usage Notes:

Use "социопат" cautiously, as it is a formal term from psychology and can be stigmatizing if applied incorrectly. It directly corresponds to the English "sociopath" but is less common in everyday Russian speech; prefer it in professional contexts over casual ones. When choosing between synonyms like "психопат," note that "социопат" emphasizes social dysfunction without always implying violence. Grammatically, ensure proper declension based on sentence structure, and avoid overgeneralizing—always pair it with context to prevent misunderstandings.

• In formal writing, use with adjectives like "клинический социопат" for specificity.
• For learners: If the English word implies a spectrum, Russian usage might lean toward binary descriptions, so clarify nuances in translation.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "социопат" with "психопат," leading to incorrect usage. For example:

• Error: Using "социопат" in a casual context, e.g., "Мой сосед — социопат" (implying light annoyance). Correct: This might offend; instead, say "Мой сосед асоциален" if not clinically accurate. Explanation: "Социопат" should be reserved for diagnosed conditions to avoid misrepresentation.
• Error: Mispronouncing as [so-tsi-o-pat] without the soft Russian sounds. Correct: Pronounce as [sɐˈtsʲiəpət], emphasizing the 'ts' affricate. Explanation: This ensures natural integration into Russian phonetics.
• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Correct: In genitive, say "у социопата" instead of "у социопат." Explanation: Proper inflection maintains grammatical accuracy in Russian sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "социопат" are influenced by Western psychology, particularly from the 20th century, due to translations of Freudian and modern diagnostic manuals. It carries a neutral, scientific tone but can evoke stigma in media portrayals, such as in literature or films about crime, reflecting broader societal discussions on mental health that are less taboo today than in the Soviet era.

Related Concepts:

• психопатия (psychopathy)
• антисоциальное расстройство (antisocial disorder)
• нарциссизм (narcissism)