Russian Translation(s) & Details for '{{vanity}}'

English Word: {{vanity}}

Key Russian Translations:

• тщеславие [tʂɕɪˈslavʲɪje] - [Formal, Noun]
• гордость [ˈɡordəsʲtʲ] - [Informal, Contextual when emphasizing excessive pride]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary and psychological discussions, less so in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract nouns and emotional contexts; for 'тщеславие', it's B2, while 'гордость' may be B1 in simpler uses)

Pronunciation (Russian):

тщеславие: [tʂɕɪˈslavʲɪje]

Note on тщеславие: The initial 'тщ' is a soft consonant cluster that can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a mix of 'ch' and 'sh'. Stress is on the third syllable.

Audio: []

гордость: [ˈɡordəsʲtʲ]

Note on гордость: The 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, similar to the 'g' in 'go', but can soften in some dialects. Stress is on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Excessive pride or self-admiration (Abstract, emotional concept)

Translation(s) & Context:

• тщеславие - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe vanity as a flaw in character, often in philosophical or psychological discussions.
• гордость - Informal variant when vanity borders on self-confidence, but can imply negativity in certain contexts like relationships.

Usage Examples:

• Его тщеславие не позволяло ему признавать ошибки. (His vanity did not allow him to admit mistakes.)

  Translation: His vanity did not allow him to admit mistakes.

• Эта победа раздула её гордость до уровня тщеславия. (This victory inflated her pride to the level of vanity.)

  Translation: This victory inflated her pride to the level of vanity.

• В литературе тщеславие часто изображается как порок. (In literature, vanity is often depicted as a vice.)

  Translation: In literature, vanity is often depicted as a vice.

• Из-за своей гордости он потерял друзей. (Because of his vanity, he lost friends.)

  Translation: Because of his vanity, he lost friends.

• Тщеславие может разрушить даже самые сильные отношения. (Vanity can destroy even the strongest relationships.)

  Translation: Vanity can destroy even the strongest relationships.

Meaning 2: A dressing table or vanity unit (Literal, physical object, less common translation)

Translation(s) & Context:

• туалетный столик - Used in everyday contexts for a physical vanity table, more literal and neutral.

Usage Examples:

• Она наносила макияж за своим туалетным столиком. (She applied makeup at her vanity table.)

  Translation: She applied makeup at her vanity table.

• В ванной комнате стоит красивый туалетный столик. (In the bathroom, there is a beautiful vanity unit.)

  Translation: In the bathroom, there is a beautiful vanity unit.

• Туалетный столик в её комнате полон косметики. (The vanity table in her room is full of cosmetics.)

  Translation: The vanity table in her room is full of cosmetics.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'тщеславие' (neuter noun, 2nd declension):

'гордость' follows similar neuter noun patterns but is more irregular in plural forms. 'туалетный столик' is a compound noun and inflects as a masculine noun with standard patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • самоуверенность (self-confidence, but with a negative connotation)
  • эгоизм (egoism, emphasizing self-centeredness)
• Antonyms:
  • скромность (modesty)
  • смирение (humility)

Related Phrases:

• Тщеславный человек - A vain person; used to describe someone overly concerned with appearance or status.
• Гордость перед падением - Pride comes before a fall; a common idiom warning against vanity.
• Туалетный столик с зеркалом - Vanity table with a mirror; refers to a practical bathroom fixture.

Usage Notes:

'Тщеславие' is the most precise translation for the abstract sense of '{{vanity}}' as excessive pride, and it's typically used in formal or literary contexts. In contrast, 'гордость' can be positive or negative, so choose based on context—use it for '{{vanity}}' only when implying a milder form. For the physical meaning, 'туалетный столик' is straightforward and doesn't carry emotional weight. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical cases when using these nouns in sentences, as they affect agreement with adjectives and verbs.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'тщеславие' with 'гордость' and using 'гордость' in formal contexts where it sounds too neutral. Correct: Use 'тщеславие' for strong negative connotations. Example of error: "Его гордость разрушило отношения" (incorrect, as it might not convey vanity). Correct: "Его тщеславие разрушило отношения."

• Error: Forgetting case endings, e.g., using nominative in all contexts. Correct: Adjust for genitive, like "из-за тщеславия" instead of "из-за тщеславие".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'тщеславие' often appears in literature and philosophy, influenced by works like those of Dostoevsky, where it symbolizes moral flaws. It's tied to themes of self-reflection in Orthodox Christianity, contrasting with Western ideas of vanity in pop culture.

Related Concepts:

• эгоцентризм
• самолюбие
• скромность