Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sordid'

English Word: sordid

Key Russian Translations:

• грязный [ɡrʲɪzˈnɨj] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday contexts for physical dirtiness]
• подлый [ˈpodlɨj] - [Formal, often in literary or moral discussions]
• мерзкий [ˈmʲɛrzkʲɪj] - [Informal, emphasizing disgust or moral degradation]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are encountered in standard Russian literature, media, and conversation, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp the nuances, but the moral connotations require contextual understanding. For "грязный", it's B1; for "подлый", it's B2.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

грязный: [ɡrʲɪzˈnɨj] (The stress is on the second syllable. Note that the 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, similar to the 'g' in 'go', but softer in Russian.)

подлый: [ˈpodlɨj] (Stress on the first syllable. The 'ы' sound is a central vowel, which can be challenging for English speakers; it's like a mix of 'i' and 'u'.)

мерзкий: [ˈmʲɛrzkʲɪj] (Palatalized 'м' and 'к', making it sound more crisp. Note on мерзкий: In fast speech, the 'з' might soften, but maintain the hard 'к' for clarity.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Physically dirty, squalid, or unclean (e.g., referring to a filthy environment)

Translation(s) & Context:

• грязный - Used in everyday descriptions of unclean conditions, such as a dirty room (context: informal daily life).

Usage Examples:

• В этой комнате всё грязно, и запах отвратительный. (In this room, everything is sordid, and the smell is repulsive.)

  Translation: In this room, everything is dirty, and the smell is repulsive. (This example shows "грязный" in a descriptive, physical context.)

• Грязные улицы после дождя превращают город в настоящее болото. (The sordid streets after the rain turn the city into a real swamp.)

  Translation: The dirty streets after the rain turn the city into a real swamp. (Illustrates use in weather-related or urban settings.)

• Его одежда была грязной от работы в саду. (His clothing was sordid from working in the garden.)

  Translation: His clothing was dirty from working in the garden. (Demonstrates simple, practical usage.)

Meaning 2: Morally degraded, base, or ignoble (e.g., referring to unethical behavior)

Translation(s) & Context:

• подлый - Used for treacherous or sneaky actions, often in serious or formal contexts (e.g., betrayals).
• мерзкий - Used for actions that evoke disgust, like corruption or deceit (context: informal or emotional discussions).

Usage Examples:

• Его подлые действия разрушили дружбу навсегда. (His sordid actions destroyed the friendship forever.)

  Translation: His base actions destroyed the friendship forever. (This highlights "подлый" in interpersonal conflicts.)

• Мерзкий план обмана был раскрыт полицией. (The sordid plan of deception was uncovered by the police.)

  Translation: The ignoble plan of deception was uncovered by the police. (Shows "мерзкий" in a criminal or ethical context.)

• В этой истории есть что-то грязное в отношениях главных героев. (There's something sordid in the relationships of the main characters in this story.)

  Translation: There's something morally degraded in the relationships of the main characters in this story. (Combines physical and moral senses for nuance.)

• Подлый предатель оставил своих друзей в беде. (The sordid traitor left his friends in trouble.)

  Translation: The base traitor left his friends in trouble. (Emphasizes betrayal, a common usage of "подлый".)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations ("грязный", "подлый", "мерзкий") are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives follow a standard declension pattern with some irregularities. Below is a table for "грязный" as an example; similar patterns apply to the others with minor variations.

For "подлый" and "мерзкий", the patterns are identical, as they are also hard-stem adjectives. Note: These do not change in comparative forms without additional suffixes (e.g., "грязнее" for comparative).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • грязный: мерзкий (similar, but more intense); вульгарный (vulgar, for moral sense)
  • подлый: низкий (low, base); коварный (treacherous, with a nuance of cunning)
  • мерзкий: отталкивающий (repulsive, emphasizing repulsion)
• Antonyms:
  • чистый (clean, pure)
  • благородный (noble, honorable)
  • честный (honest, upright)

Related Phrases:

• Грязная работа (Dirty work) - Refers to unpleasant or menial tasks, often with a moral undertone.
• Подлый трюк (Sordid trick) - A deceitful maneuver in games or life, implying betrayal.
• Мерзкая погода (Sordid weather) - Used for foul, dirty weather conditions like heavy rain and mud.

Usage Notes:

"Sordid" corresponds closely to "грязный" in physical contexts and "подлый" or "мерзкий" in moral ones. Be mindful of formality: "Подлый" is more appropriate in written or formal speech, while "грязный" suits casual conversation. In Russian, adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which has no direct equivalent in English. When choosing between translations, opt for "мерзкий" if emphasizing emotional disgust. Avoid direct word-for-word translations; instead, consider the context to capture the full nuance.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "грязный" interchangeably with "подлый" without considering context. Incorrect: Он сделал грязный поступок (implying physical dirt). Correct: Он сделал подлый поступок (for moral degradation). Explanation: This confuses physical and moral senses, leading to miscommunication; always assess the intended meaning first.
• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "грязный дом" for a feminine noun. Incorrect: Грязный книга (for a book, which is feminine). Correct: Грязная книга. Explanation: Russian requires gender agreement, unlike English, so learners must learn noun genders.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "подлый" often carry echoes of historical literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works), where moral degradation is a common theme. "Грязный" might reference the harsh realities of rural or urban life in Russia, symbolizing poverty or endurance, as seen in folk tales or modern media.

Related Concepts:

• нечистый (unclean)
• коварный (cunning)
• бездна (abyss, implying moral depth)