Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'taboo'

English Word: taboo

Key Russian Translations:

• табу [tɐˈbu] - [Formal, Used in cultural or social contexts]
• запрет [zɐˈprʲet] - [Informal, Plural possible as 'запреты']

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions of culture, society, or psychology, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of borrowed words and cultural concepts, though basic forms are straightforward for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

табу: [tɐˈbu]

запрет: [zɐˈprʲet]

Note on табу: The stress is on the second syllable, which is a common feature in Russian borrowed words; be careful with the soft 'т' sound, which can vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A social or cultural prohibition, often based on tradition or superstition

Translation(s) & Context:

• табу - Used in formal discussions of anthropology or sociology, e.g., referring to forbidden practices.
• запрет - Applied in everyday contexts for general prohibitions, but less specific to cultural taboos.

Usage Examples:

• В некоторых культурах татуировка является табу для женщин.

  In some cultures, tattooing is a taboo for women.

• Обсуждение табуированных тем может привести к конфликтам в обществе.

  Discussing taboo topics can lead to conflicts in society.

• Запрет на определенные слова в разговоре – это форма социального табу.

  A prohibition on certain words in conversation is a form of social taboo.

• В современной России некоторые старые табу постепенно ослабевают под влиянием глобализации.

  In modern Russia, some old taboos are gradually weakening under the influence of globalization.

• Родители наложили запрет на просмотр определенных фильмов, считая их табуированными.

  Parents imposed a ban on watching certain films, considering them tabooed.

Meaning 2: Something forbidden or prohibited by authority or custom

Translation(s) & Context:

• запрет - Often used in legal or everyday contexts, implying an enforceable rule.
• табу - More cultural, implying a deeper societal norm rather than a formal law.

Usage Examples:

• В этой стране запрет на алкоголь является строгим табу.

  In this country, the ban on alcohol is a strict taboo.

• Табу на обсуждение политики в семье помогает избежать споров.

  The taboo on discussing politics in the family helps avoid arguments.

• Запрет курения в общественных местах стал новым социальным табу.

  The ban on smoking in public places has become a new social taboo.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For табу (a neuter noun): It follows the standard third declension pattern for Russian nouns. It is relatively straightforward but can inflect based on case and number.

For запрет (a masculine noun): It is a regular second declension noun with standard inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: запрещение (more formal, implying official prohibition), табуированный (adjectival form, meaning tabooed or forbidden)
• Antonyms: разрешение (permission, opposite of prohibition), дозволенное (permitted, contrasting with taboo)

Related Phrases:

• Социальное табу - A social taboo; refers to unwritten rules in society.
• Культурное запрещение - Cultural prohibition; used for traditions that forbid certain behaviors.
• Преодолеть табу - To overcome a taboo; implies breaking free from restrictions.

Usage Notes:

табу directly corresponds to the English "taboo" as a borrowed word, making it ideal for cultural discussions, but it's less common in casual speech. Use запрет for more general prohibitions. Be mindful of context: in formal writing, табу fits anthropological topics, while запрет suits legal or everyday scenarios. Grammatically, both nouns require appropriate case agreement with verbs and prepositions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing табу with запрет and using them interchangeably. For example, saying "Это запрет в моей культуре" when meaning a deep-seated taboo. Correct: "Это табу в моей культуре." Explanation: табу implies cultural or emotional prohibition, while запрет is more about rules or laws.

• Error: Forgetting inflections, e.g., using "табу" in genitive as "табу" instead of correctly in context. Correct: In "без табу" (without taboo), it's fine, but always check case. Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, taboos often stem from historical Orthodox traditions or Soviet-era restrictions. For instance, discussing personal finances or politics in casual settings can still be seen as a taboo, reflecting a legacy of privacy and collectivism. Understanding these helps English speakers navigate social interactions in Russia more effectively.

Related Concepts:

• традиции (traditions)
• обычаи (customs)
• суперстиции (superstitions)