Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unscrupulous'

English Word: unscrupulous

Key Russian Translations:

• беспринципный (/bʲɪs.prʲɪnˈtsʲip.nɨj/) - [Formal, Adjective]
• нечестный (/nʲɪˈt͡ɕest.nɨj/) - [Informal, Adjective, Used in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal writing, discussions on ethics, and legal contexts, but not as frequent in casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and moral vocabulary; variations may differ slightly based on translation, e.g., 'беспринципный' is more formal and thus slightly harder than 'нечестный')

Pronunciation (Russian):

беспринципный: /bʲɪs.prʲɪnˈtsʲip.nɨj/

нечестный: /nʲɪˈt͡ɕest.nɨj/

Note on беспринципный: The stress falls on the third syllable ('tsʲip'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants; variations in regional accents may soften the 'bʲ' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Main meaning: Lacking moral principles or scruple; not hesitant to act dishonestly for personal gain.

Translation(s) & Context:

• беспринципный - Used in formal or professional contexts to describe unethical behavior, such as in business or politics.
• нечестный - Applied in informal settings for everyday dishonesty, like cheating in games or personal interactions.

Usage Examples:

• Он беспринципный бизнесмен, который не гнушается обманывать партнёров.

  He is an unscrupulous businessman who does not hesitate to deceive his partners.

• Её нечестный подход к работе привёл к потере доверия коллег.

  Her unscrupulous approach to work led to the loss of trust from colleagues.

• Беспринципные политики часто игнорируют интересы народа ради собственной выгоды.

  Unscrupulous politicians often ignore the interests of the people for their own benefit.

• Нечестный продавец пытался продать подделку как оригинал.

  The unscrupulous seller tried to sell a counterfeit as an original.

• В этом обществе беспринципные действия иногда вознаграждаются, что шокирует.

  In this society, unscrupulous actions are sometimes rewarded, which is shocking.

Secondary meaning: Without conscience or ethical restraint in decision-making.

Translation(s) & Context:

• бессовестный (/bʲɪs.sɐˈvʲest.nɨj/) - Often used in emotional or accusatory contexts to highlight shameless behavior.

Usage Examples:

• Бессовестный вор украл деньги из благотворительного фонда.

  The unscrupulous thief stole money from the charity fund.

• Его бессовестные методы в переговорах разрушили сделку.

  His unscrupulous methods in negotiations destroyed the deal.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. 'Беспринципный' and 'нечестный' follow standard adjective patterns with some irregularities in certain forms.

Note: These adjectives do not change for feminine or neuter forms in a completely irregular way but follow the standard hard adjective paradigm. For example, feminine singular nominative: беспринципная, нечестная.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • нечестный (similar to unscrupulous but more general; used for everyday dishonesty)
  • бессовестный (emphasizes shamelessness, often in moral contexts)
  • аморальный (focuses on lack of morals, more philosophical)
• Antonyms:
  • честный (honest)
  • принципиальный (principled)
  • нравственный (moral)

Related Phrases:

• беспринципный человек - A phrase meaning "an unscrupulous person," often used in discussions of ethics or character.
• нечестные методы - Refers to "unscrupulous methods," commonly in business or competitive contexts.
• бессовестная эксплуатация - Means "unscrupulous exploitation," highlighting abusive practices in labor or resources.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'беспринципный' is the most direct equivalent to 'unscrupulous' in formal contexts, emphasizing a lack of ethical principles, while 'нечестный' is better for informal or everyday dishonesty. Choose based on the situation: use 'беспринципный' for broader moral implications and 'нечестный' for specific acts of deceit. Be mindful of gender and case agreements in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun they describe. This word often appears in negative contexts, so it's rarely used positively.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'беспринципный' interchangeably with 'нечестный' without considering formality, leading to awkward phrasing in casual speech. Correct: In informal talks, opt for 'нечестный' instead. Example of error: Saying "Он беспринципный друг" in a light conversation; better: "Он нечестный друг."
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., using the masculine form with a feminine noun. Correct: For a feminine subject, say "беспринципная женщина" instead of "беспринципный женщина." Explanation: Russian requires agreement in gender, number, and case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'беспринципный' often carry connotations from historical contexts, such as the Soviet era's emphasis on collective morality versus individual gain. This can evoke criticism of corruption in modern Russian society, where such behavior is frequently discussed in media and literature, reflecting a broader cultural wariness of unethical practices in politics and business.

Related Concepts:

• коррупция (corruption)
• обман (deception)
• этика (ethics)