Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'venality'

English Word: venality

Key Russian Translations:

• взяточничество [vzʲatətɕnʲitɕɪstvə] - [Formal, often used in legal or political contexts]
• коррупция [kɐrʊpʦʲijə] - [Formal, broader term for systemic corruption]
• корыстолюбие [kərɨstəlʊˈbʲije] - [Formal, emphasizing greed or self-interest]

Frequency: Medium (This term and its translations appear in discussions of politics, law, and ethics but are not everyday vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2-Intermediate (Requires understanding of abstract ethical concepts; 'взяточничество' may be more challenging due to its specific connotations, while 'коррупция' is slightly easier as it's more commonly encountered.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

взяточничество: [vzʲatətɕnʲitɕɪstvə]

коррупция: [kɐrʊpʦʲijə]

корыстолюбие: [kərɨstəlʊˈbʲije]

Note on взяточничество: The initial 'вз' cluster can be tricky for English speakers; it's pronounced with a soft 'v' sound followed by a 'z'. Stress falls on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The quality of being venal; susceptibility to bribery or corruption in exchange for favors.

Translation(s) & Context:

• взяточничество - Used in formal contexts like anti-corruption laws or ethical debates, emphasizing personal involvement in bribery.
• коррупция - Applied in broader systemic contexts, such as government or business, to describe widespread unethical practices.
• корыстолюбие - Employed when highlighting greed as a motivating factor, often in psychological or moral discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Взяточничество в правительстве приводит к потере доверия общества.

  Venality in the government leads to a loss of public trust.

• Коррупция и взяточничество часто идут рука об руку в коррумпированных системах.

  Corruption and venality often go hand in hand in corrupt systems.

• Его корыстолюбие проявилось в готовности принять взятку за молчание.

  His venality was evident in his willingness to accept a bribe for silence.

• Борьба с взяточничеством требует строгих законов и общественного контроля.

  Combating venality requires strict laws and public oversight.

• В некоторых странах коррупция, включая корыстолюбие чиновников, остается серьезной проблемой.

  In some countries, corruption, including the venality of officials, remains a serious issue.

Broader sense: Moral corruption or willingness to compromise principles for personal gain.

Translation(s) & Context:

• корыстолюбие - Used in everyday ethical discussions, focusing on individual greed rather than institutional issues.
• взяточничество - Contextual in professional settings, like business ethics.

Usage Examples:

• Его корыстолюбие помешало ему принять правильное решение.

  His venality prevented him from making the right decision.

• Взяточничество в бизнесе может разрушить репутацию компании.

  Venality in business can destroy a company's reputation.

• Коррупция, проявляющаяся как корыстолюбие, подрывает основы общества.

  Corruption, manifesting as venality, undermines the foundations of society.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily nouns, which in Russian undergo declension based on case, number, and gender. 'Взяточничество' and 'коррупция' are neuter nouns, while 'корыстолюбие' is also neuter. They follow standard patterns for third-declension nouns with some irregularities.

These nouns do not change in plural forms as they are abstract concepts, but if used in plural contexts, they follow standard neuter patterns. No irregular inflections noted.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мздоимство (emphasizes bribe-taking, similar to 'взяточничество')
  • подкуп (direct act of bribing)
  • нечестность (general dishonesty, less formal)
• Antonyms:
  • честность (honesty, integrity)
  • нравственность (morality, ethical behavior)

Related Phrases:

• борьба с взяточничеством - Fight against venality; commonly used in anti-corruption campaigns.
• коррупция и корыстолюбие - Corruption and venality; refers to intertwined ethical issues in society.
• взяточничество в политике - Venality in politics; highlights corruption in governmental contexts.

Usage Notes:

Venality translates most directly to 'взяточничество' when referring to personal bribery, but 'коррупция' is preferable for systemic issues. Use 'корыстолюбие' for contexts emphasizing greed. These terms are formal and best suited for written or professional speech; avoid in casual conversations. English learners should note that Russian often requires specific cases (e.g., genitive for possession), so pair with appropriate prepositions like 'против' (against) for 'борьба с взяточничеством'. Choose based on context: 'взяточничество' for individual acts, 'коррупция' for broader scenarios.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'взяточничество' with 'взятка' (bribe): Learners might use 'взятка' interchangeably, but it's the act of giving a bribe, not the state of being venal. Correct: "Его взяточничество привело к аресту" (His venality led to his arrest). Error: "Его взятка привела к аресту" (implies he gave a bribe, not that he was corrupt).

• Overusing 'коррупция' for personal greed: This term implies systemic issues, not individual traits. Correct: "Его корыстолюбие было очевидным" (His venality was evident). Error: "Его коррупция была очевидной" (sounds like widespread corruption, not personal).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, terms like 'взяточничество' evoke memories of Soviet-era corruption and modern challenges in post-Soviet states, where bribery was (and sometimes still is) a survival mechanism. This reflects a broader cultural critique of authority and ethics, often discussed in literature like Dostoevsky's works, highlighting how venality can erode social trust.

Related Concepts:

• взятка
• нечестность
• мздоимство
• этика