Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'spinster'

English Word: spinster

Key Russian Translations:

• старая дева [ˈstarəjə ˈdʲevə] - [Informal, somewhat derogatory; used in everyday conversation to imply an unmarried woman, often with a negative connotation]
• незамужняя женщина [nʲɪzɐˈmuʒnəjə ʐɛnʲɪˈʂinə] - [Formal; neutral term for an unmarried woman, suitable for professional or written contexts]

Frequency: Low - The term and its translations are not commonly used in modern Russian due to evolving social norms, but they may appear in literature or historical discussions.

Difficulty: Intermediate (B2) - Involves understanding cultural nuances and gender-related vocabulary; for "старая дева", it's more challenging due to its derogatory undertones, while "незамужняя женщина" is straightforward for B1 learners.

Pronunciation (Russian):

старая дева: [ˈstarəjə ˈdʲevə]

незамужняя женщина: [nʲɪzɐˈmuʒnəjə ʐɛnʲɪˈʂinə]

Note on старая дева: The stress on the first syllable of each word can vary slightly in casual speech; pay attention to the soft 'd' sound in 'дева' for accurate pronunciation.

Note on незамужняя женщина: The 'ж' in 'незамужняя' is a voiced fricative, which might be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 's' in 'measure'.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: An unmarried woman, often implying she is beyond the typical age for marriage (archaic or stereotypical in English).

Translation(s) & Context:

• старая дева - Used in informal, sometimes humorous or critical contexts, such as in novels or casual gossip; avoid in formal settings due to potential offense.
• незамужняя женщина - Preferred in formal or neutral contexts, like legal documents or discussions about demographics.

Usage Examples:

• В деревне все считали её старой девой, потому что она никогда не вышла замуж.

  In the village, everyone considered her a spinster because she never got married.

• Моя тётя — незамужняя женщина, которая успешно строит карьеру в Москве.

  My aunt is an unmarried woman who is successfully building a career in Moscow.

• Героиня романа предстала как старая дева, живущая в одиночестве и полная сожалений.

  The heroine of the novel appeared as a spinster, living in solitude and full of regrets.

• В современном обществе термин "незамужняя женщина" используется для описания независимых личностей без негативных оттенков.

  In modern society, the term "unmarried woman" is used to describe independent individuals without negative connotations.

• Друзья шутили, что она станет старой девой, если не найдёт партнёра на вечеринке.

  Friends joked that she would become a spinster if she didn't find a partner at the party.

Meaning 2: Historically, a woman who spins yarn (less common modern usage).

Translation(s) & Context:

• пряха [ˈprʲaxə] - [Archaic, specific to historical or folk contexts; less directly related but can imply the original meaning]

Usage Examples:

• В старинных сказках пряха часто изображалась как старая дева, ткущая нити судьбы.

  In old folktales, the spinner was often depicted as a spinster weaving the threads of fate.

• Эта пряха, или старая дева, проводила дни за прядением шерсти в деревенском доме.

  This spinner, or spinster, spent her days spinning wool in the village house.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "старая дева": This is a noun phrase where "старая" is a feminine adjective and "дева" is a feminine noun (1st declension). Adjectives and nouns in Russian inflect based on case, number, and gender.

"Дева" inflects as follows:

The adjective "старая" agrees with "дева" and changes accordingly (e.g., in genitive: старой девы).

For "незамужняя женщина": "Женщина" is a feminine noun (1st declension) with similar inflections as above. "Незамужняя" is an adjective that inflects to match.

These words do not have irregular inflections but follow standard Russian patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • старая девушка - Similar to "старая дева" but slightly less derogatory, often used for younger unmarried women.
  • одинокая женщина - Neutral, emphasizing solitude rather than marital status.
• Antonyms:
  • замужняя женщина - A married woman.
  • холостая женщина - Unmarried, but can imply temporary status; less common for women.

Related Phrases:

• старая дева на выданье - A spinster of marriageable age; used in literary or ironic contexts to imply societal pressure.
• незамужняя дама - An unmarried lady; a more polite phrase in formal settings, often in historical narratives.
• жить как старая дева - To live like a spinster; implies a solitary, independent lifestyle, with potential negative undertones.

Usage Notes:

The English word "spinster" has a somewhat outdated and negative connotation, which carries over to Russian translations like "старая дева". Use "незамужняя женщина" for neutral or formal discussions to avoid offense. In Russian culture, these terms can reflect gender stereotypes, so context matters—e.g., in professional settings, opt for gender-neutral language. When choosing between translations, consider the audience: "старая дева" is best for literary analysis, while "незамужняя женщина" suits everyday or factual descriptions.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing "старая дева" with "старая женщина" (old woman), which doesn't imply unmarried status. Correct: Use "старая дева" specifically for marital connotations. Example of error: *Она старая женщина* (meaning just an old woman). Correct example: *Она старая дева* (implying spinsterhood).
• Mistake: Overusing "старая дева" in modern contexts, leading to insensitivity. Correct: Replace with "незамужняя женщина" in contemporary speech. Example of error: *Моя подруга — старая дева* (rude). Correct example: *Моя подруга — незамужняя женщина* (neutral).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "старая дева" stem from historical patriarchal norms, often appearing in 19th-century literature (e.g., by Tolstoy or Chekhov) to critique societal expectations of women. Today, it can evoke stereotypes about women's roles, so using it carelessly might offend in progressive contexts, highlighting ongoing discussions about gender equality in Russia.

Related Concepts:

• холостяк (bachelor - for unmarried men)
• семейное положение (marital status)
• одиночество (solitude or loneliness)