Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'venal'

English Word: venal

Key Russian Translations:

• Взяточный [vzʲaˈtotɕnɨj] - [Formal, used in legal or official contexts]
• Корыстный [kɐˈrɨstnɨj] - [Informal, often in everyday discussions about greed]
• Подкупный [pɐdˈkupnɨj] - [Formal, specifically relating to bribery in political or business settings]

Frequency: Medium (This term and its translations are not everyday words but appear in discussions about ethics, politics, and law in Russian media and literature.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of advanced vocabulary and nuances in Russian, as these adjectives involve subtle connotations of corruption.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Взяточный: [vzʲaˈtotɕnɨj]

Корыстный: [kɐˈrɨstnɨj]

Подкупный: [pɐdˈkupnɨj]

Note on Взяточный: The stress falls on the third syllable; be careful with the palatalized 't' sound, which is common in Russian adjectives but may be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Main meaning: Corrupt or open to bribery, often describing individuals or systems that prioritize personal gain over integrity.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Взяточный - Used in formal contexts like legal documents or news reports about officials involved in bribery.
• Корыстный - Applied in informal settings, such as conversations about selfish behavior in personal relationships.
• Подкупный - Common in political or business contexts, emphasizing vulnerability to external influences.

Usage Examples:

• Взяточный чиновник был разоблачен в коррупционном скандале.

  A venal official was exposed in a corruption scandal.

• Его корыстные мотивы стали очевидны, когда он отказался помочь без личной выгоды.

  His venal motives became evident when he refused to help without personal gain.

• Подкупный политик часто игнорировал интересы народа ради финансовых стимулов.

  The venal politician often ignored the people's interests for financial incentives.

• Взяточная система в некоторых странах подрывает доверие к правительству.

  The venal system in some countries undermines trust in the government.

• Корыстный подход к бизнесу может привести к долгосрочным проблемам.

  A venal approach to business can lead to long-term issues.

Secondary meaning: Generally mercenary or motivated by profit in non-corrupt contexts (less common).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Корыстный - In metaphorical uses, like describing someone overly focused on money in daily life.

Usage Examples:

• Её корыстные устремления заставили её выбрать карьеру в финансах.

  Her venal aspirations led her to choose a career in finance.

• Подкупный интерес к проекту был обусловлен потенциальной прибылью.

  The venal interest in the project was driven by potential profit.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are adjectives, which in Russian typically inflect based on gender, number, and case. Below is a table for 'Взяточный' as an example; similar patterns apply to 'Корыстный' and 'Подкупный' with minor variations.

For 'Корыстный' and 'Подкупный', the inflections follow standard first-declension adjective patterns, with no irregular forms. These adjectives do not change in comparative forms unless modified (e.g., более взяточный for 'more venal').

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Подкупный (similar to 'взяточный' but with a focus on external inducement)
  • Корыстный (emphasizes greed, often in less formal contexts)
  • Мздоимческий (archaic, used in historical or literary contexts for bribery)
• Antonyms:
  • Честный (honest, directly opposite in ethical contexts)
  • Неподкупный (incorruptible, specifically countering bribery)
  • Бескорыстный (selfless, contrasting with greed)

Related Phrases:

• Взяточничество - Bribery or corrupt practices; often used in legal discussions.
• Корыстные интересы - Venal interests; refers to selfish motivations in negotiations.
• Подкуп и мошенничество - Bribes and fraud; a common phrase in anti-corruption campaigns.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'взяточный' directly corresponds to the English 'venal' in contexts of corruption, but it's more formal and often appears in written or official language. Use 'корыстный' for everyday scenarios involving greed. Be mindful of the adjective's agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case, as Russian requires this for grammatical accuracy. When choosing between translations, opt for 'подкупный' in political contexts for precision. These words carry negative connotations, so they are rarely used positively.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'взяточный' with 'взятка' (which means 'bribe', a noun): Incorrect: "Он взял взяточный." Correct: "Он взял взятку." Explanation: 'Взяточный' is an adjective describing a person or action, not the act itself.
• Overusing in informal speech: English learners might misuse 'корыстный' in casual conversations; it's better reserved for semi-formal contexts to avoid sounding overly dramatic.
• Forgetting inflections: Incorrect: "Взяточный женщина" (should be 'Взяточная женщина'). Explanation: Always adjust the ending to match the noun's gender.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'взяточный' reflect historical and ongoing issues with corruption, stemming from the Soviet era and persisting in modern society. They often appear in literature (e.g., in works by Dostoevsky) and media, symbolizing moral decay and the challenges of governance in Russia.

Related Concepts:

• Коррупция
• Мздоимство
• Несправедливость