Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vacuous'

English Word: vacuous

Key Russian Translations:

• бессодержательный [bɪs.səˈdɛr.ʒa.tʲɪlʲ.nɨj] - [Formal, used for intellectual or conceptual emptiness]
• пустой [ˈpus.toj] - [Informal, often for literal or superficial emptiness]
• ничтожный [ˈnʲi.t͡ɕɪʐ.nɨj] - [Formal, emphasizing worthlessness or triviality]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literary, academic, or philosophical contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and adjective inflections, varying by translation—e.g., 'бессодержательный' might be C1 due to its complexity)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бессодержательный: [bɪs.səˈdɛr.ʒa.tʲɪlʲ.nɨj]

пустой: [ˈpus.toj]

ничтожный: [ˈnʲi.t͡ɕɪʐ.nɨj]

Note on бессодержательный: This word has a complex consonant cluster; stress on the third syllable, and the 'ж' sound is soft and palatalized, which can be challenging for learners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Lacking intellectual content or depth (e.g., a vacuous argument)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бессодержательный - Used in formal discussions, such as philosophy or criticism, to describe ideas that lack substance.
• ничтожный - Applied in contexts emphasizing futility, like in literary analysis.

Usage Examples:

• Его аргументы были бессодержательными и не убедили аудиторию.

  His arguments were vacuous and did not convince the audience.

• Эта книга полна ничтожных идей, которые не добавляют ничего нового.

  This book is full of vacuous ideas that add nothing new.

• В разговоре он часто использует бессодержательные фразы, чтобы заполнить паузу.

  In conversation, he often uses vacuous phrases to fill the pause.

• Её речь была ничтожной, без глубокого анализа проблемы.

  Her speech was vacuous, without a deep analysis of the issue.

Meaning 2: Empty or devoid of substance (e.g., a vacuous stare)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пустой - Common in everyday language for literal or emotional emptiness, such as in descriptions of expressions.
• бессодержательный - In more abstract contexts, like psychology or art.

Usage Examples:

• Её взгляд был пустым, как будто она не осознавала происходящего.

  Her stare was vacuous, as if she wasn't aware of what was happening.

• Этот фильм оказался пустым развлечением без глубокого смысла.

  This film turned out to be a vacuous entertainment without deeper meaning.

• В его глазах мелькнуло пустое выражение, когда он услышал новости.

  A vacuous expression flashed in his eyes when he heard the news.

• Пустые обещания политиков часто бывают бессодержательными.

  Politicians' vacuous promises are often lacking in substance.

• Её улыбка была пустой, скрывая внутреннюю тревогу.

  Her smile was vacuous, hiding inner anxiety.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations ('бессодержательный', 'пустой', 'ничтожный') are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives generally follow a regular pattern but can have irregularities in spelling or stress.

For бессодержательный (irregular due to its length and soft consonants):

For пустой (regular adjective):

ничтожный follows a similar regular pattern to 'пустой'.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • бессмысленный (meaningless; similar to 'бессодержательный' but more about lack of sense)
  • пустопорожний (empty and futile; often used in formal contexts)
  • тщетный (vain; implies effort without result)
• Antonyms:
  • содержательный (substantial)
  • глубокий (profound)
  • осмысленный (meaningful)

Related Phrases:

• Пустые слова (Empty words) - Refers to meaningless statements or promises.
• Бессодержательный разговор (Vacuous conversation) - A discussion lacking depth or purpose.
• Ничтожная идея (Trivial idea) - An idea that is insignificant or worthless.

Usage Notes:

'Vacuous' translates most accurately to 'бессодержательный' in formal or intellectual contexts, but 'пустой' is better for everyday, literal uses. Be mindful of Russian adjective agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case. For example, choose 'бессодержательный' over 'пустой' when discussing abstract concepts to maintain a more sophisticated tone. In spoken Russian, these words might carry a negative connotation, similar to English, so use them carefully in polite conversation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'пустой' interchangeably with 'бессодержательный' in formal writing. Correct: 'Пустой' is too casual for academic contexts; opt for 'бессодержательный' instead. Example of error: "Его речь пустой" (incorrectly implying literal emptiness). Correct: "Его речь бессодержательная" (vacuous in an intellectual sense).

• Error: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., saying "бессодержательный дом" when it should be "бессодержательный аргумент" without proper context. Explanation: Always match the adjective to the noun's case, as in "в бессодержательном тексте" (in a vacuous text).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'бессодержательный' often appear in literary criticism, reflecting a historical emphasis on intellectual depth in works by authors like Tolstoy or Dostoevsky. They highlight the cultural value placed on meaningful discourse, contrasting with superficiality, which is sometimes critiqued in modern media.

Related Concepts:

• абстрактный (abstract)
• поверхностный (superficial)
• интеллектуальный (intellectual)