Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unashamed'

English Word: unashamed

Key Russian Translations:

• бесстыдный /bʲɪsˈstɨdnɨj/ - [Informal; often used to describe bold or impudent behavior]
• не стыдливый /nʲɛ stɨˈdlʲivɨj/ - [Formal; less common, emphasizing a lack of modesty]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its variants appear in everyday conversations, literature, and media, but are not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives.)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; Learners at this level should grasp the nuances, though mastering inflections requires familiarity with Russian adjective declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бесстыдный: /bʲɪsˈstɨdnɨj/ (The stress is on the second syllable; note the soft 'bʲ' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

не стыдливый: /nʲɛ stɨˈdlʲivɨj/ (Stress on the third syllable of the full phrase; pay attention to the soft 'nʲ' and the vowel reductions in casual speech.)

Note on бесстыдный: This word has a strong, somewhat negative connotation; the 'ы' sound (/ɨ/) is a reduced vowel typical in Russian, often pronounced quickly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Not feeling or showing any shame, often implying boldness or audacity.

Translation(s) & Context:

• бесстыдный - Used in informal contexts to describe someone who acts without embarrassment, such as in social or ethical situations.
• не стыдливый - Applied in more formal or descriptive writing, emphasizing a lack of modesty in a neutral or positive light.

Usage Examples:

• Он бесстыдно обманул своих друзей, чтобы получить выгоду. (He unashamedly deceived his friends to gain an advantage.)

  English: He unashamedly deceived his friends to gain an advantage. (This example shows the word in a negative context, highlighting deceitful behavior.)

• Её не стыдливый подход к критике помог ей добиться успеха в карьере. (Her unashamed approach to criticism helped her succeed in her career.)

  English: Her unashamed approach to criticism helped her succeed in her career. (Here, it demonstrates a positive usage in professional settings.)

• Бесстыдный ребенок продолжал кричать в магазине, несмотря на взгляды окружающих. (The unashamed child kept screaming in the store, despite the stares from those around.)

  English: The unashamed child kept screaming in the store, despite the stares from those around. (This illustrates the word in everyday, informal scenarios.)

• В этой культуре не стыдливый человек часто воспринимается как уверенный. (In this culture, an unashamed person is often seen as confident.)

  English: In this culture, an unashamed person is often seen as confident. (This example explores cultural perceptions in a broader context.)

• Бесстыдно игнорируя правила, он прошел на концерт без билета. (Unashamedly ignoring the rules, he entered the concert without a ticket.)

  English: Unashamedly ignoring the rules, he entered the concert without a ticket. (This shows the word in a grammatical structure involving adverbs.)

Secondary Meaning: Openly and without reservation, sometimes in a defiant manner.

Translation(s) & Context:

• бесстыдный - In contexts of defiance or rebellion, such as in literature or debates.

Usage Examples:

• Бесстыдно выражая свои opinions, она стала лидером движения. (Unashamedly expressing her opinions, she became the leader of the movement.)

  English: Unashamedly expressing her opinions, she became the leader of the movement. (This highlights advocacy and boldness.)

• Не стыдливый тон его речи шокировал аудиторию. (The unashamed tone of his speech shocked the audience.)

  English: The unashamed tone of his speech shocked the audience. (This example focuses on tone and delivery.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are adjectives, which in Russian undergo declension based on gender, number, and case. "Бесстыдный" is a regular adjective and follows standard patterns, while "не стыдливый" is a compound form that declines similarly.

For "не стыдливый", the adjective "стыдливый" declines in the same way, with "не" remaining unchanged as an adverbial prefix.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • нахальный (impudent; often implies rudeness more than unashamed behavior)
  • беззастенчивый (unrestrained; used in formal contexts for someone who is openly bold)
• Antonyms:
  • стыдливый (modest; the direct opposite, implying a sense of shame)
  • скромный (humble; focuses on humility rather than shame)

Related Phrases:

• бесстыдно себя вести (to behave shamelessly) - Refers to acting without regard for social norms.
• не стыдливый взгляд (an unashamed glance) - Describes a bold or direct look in interpersonal interactions.
• бесстыдная ложь (shameless lie) - A common phrase for deceit without remorse, often in legal or ethical discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Бесстыдный" is the most direct translation for "unashamed" and carries a slightly negative connotation in Russian, often implying audacity or impropriety, whereas "unashamed" in English can be neutral or positive. Choose "не стыдливый" for more formal or descriptive contexts to avoid offense. Be mindful of gender and case agreements in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun they modify. This word is versatile but best used in spoken language or narratives rather than polite formal writing.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "бесстыдный" interchangeably with "нахальный" without considering nuance. Incorrect: Он нахальный в своей прямоте. (This might imply rudeness more than lack of shame.) Correct: Он бесстыдный в своей прямоте. (This better conveys unashamed boldness.) Explanation: English learners often confuse synonyms; "бесстыдный" focuses on the absence of shame, not aggression.
• Mistake: Forgetting to decline the adjective. Incorrect: Он бесстыдный дом. (Grammatically wrong; should be "бесстыдный дом" in nominative.) Correct: Он бесстыдный дом. (Properly declined.) Explanation: Russian requires adjective-noun agreement, which can trip up learners from non-inflected languages like English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts of shame (стыд) are deeply rooted in social and historical contexts, such as in literature by authors like Dostoevsky. "Бесстыдный" can evoke ideas of moral defiance, which might be viewed negatively in traditional settings, contrasting with Western views where being unashamed is sometimes celebrated as confidence.

Related Concepts:

• стыд (shame)
• наглость (impudence)
• смелость (boldness)