Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vice'

English Word: vice

Key Russian Translations:

• порок /ˈporək/ - [Formal, often in moral or ethical contexts]
• вице- /ˈvʲit͡sɛ-/ - [Formal, as a prefix for positions like vice president]
• грех /ɡrʲex/ - [Informal, religious or moral connotations]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature and formal discussions, but less everyday)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate for порок and вице-; A2 for грех, as they involve basic vocabulary with contextual nuances)

Pronunciation (Russian):

порок: /ˈporək/

Note on порок: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the soft 'r' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Audio: []

вице-: /ˈvʲit͡sɛ-/

Note on вице-: As a prefix, pronunciation may vary slightly based on the following word, e.g., in "вице-президент" (/ˈvʲit͡sɛ prʲiˈzʲidʲent/).

Audio: []

грех: /ɡrʲex/

Note on грех: The 'г' is a voiced velar fricative; it sounds like a soft 'g' and is common in religious contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Moral or ethical flaw

Translation(s) & Context:

• порок - Used in formal, philosophical, or literary contexts to describe a personal defect or bad habit.
• грех - Applied in informal or religious settings, implying a sin or wrongdoing.

Usage Examples:

• Его основной порок — лень, которая мешает ему преуспеть.

  His main vice is laziness, which prevents him from succeeding.

• В обществе часто обсуждают пороки, такие как жадность и эгоизм.

  In society, vices such as greed and selfishness are often discussed.

• Грех курения привел к проблемам со здоровьем.

  The vice of smoking led to health problems.

• Он борется со своими пороками, чтобы стать лучше.

  He is fighting his vices to become a better person.

Deputy or secondary position (e.g., vice president)

Translation(s) & Context:

• вице- - Used as a prefix in formal, professional, or political contexts, such as in titles.

Usage Examples:

• Вице-президент компании отвечает за ежедневные операции.

  The vice president of the company is responsible for daily operations.

• В правительстве вице-премьер помогает главному лидеру.

  In the government, the vice premier assists the main leader.

• Она была избрана вице-председателем комитета.

  She was elected as the vice chair of the committee.

• Роль вице-директора включает управление повседневными задачами.

  The role of vice director involves managing day-to-day tasks.

• Вице-консул представляет страну в отсутствии посла.

  The vice consul represents the country in the absence of the ambassador.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

порок is a masculine noun and follows standard Russian noun declension patterns. It is regular but has variations based on case and number:

грех is also a masculine noun with similar regular declension:

вице- is a prefix and does not inflect on its own; it attaches to nouns like президент, which inflects normally.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for порок: недостаток (flaw) - Often used for less severe imperfections; изъян (defect) - Applies to physical or moral shortcomings.
• Synonyms for грех: вина (guilt) - In legal or moral contexts; проступок (misdeed) - For minor offenses.
• Antonyms: добродетель (virtue) - The opposite of moral vice; лидер (leader) - In the context of вице-, implying the primary role.

Related Phrases:

• Порочный круг - A vicious cycle; refers to a situation that perpetuates itself negatively.
• Вице-премьер-министр - Vice prime minister; a common political title.
• Грех на душу - Sin on one's soul; an idiomatic expression for personal guilt.

Usage Notes:

Choose порок for formal discussions of ethical issues, as it aligns closely with the English "vice" in moral contexts. Вице- is strictly for titles and should be used as a prefix only. Грех carries religious undertones, so it's best in spiritual or informal settings. Be mindful of context: in Russian, these words can imply judgment, so use them carefully in conversations to avoid offense. For learners, note that Russian nouns like порок and грех require correct case agreement with verbs and prepositions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using порок interchangeably with грех in all contexts. Incorrect: "Его грех — лень" when a neutral term is needed. Correct: "Его порок — лень" for a more general flaw. Explanation: Грех implies a sin, which may not fit non-religious scenarios.
• Error: Misusing вице- as a standalone word. Incorrect: "Он вице." Correct: "Он вице-президент." Explanation: It's a prefix and must attach to a noun for proper usage.
• Error: Forgetting declension in sentences. Incorrect: "Из-за порок" (wrong case). Correct: "Из-за порока" (genitive case). Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change form based on grammatical role.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like порок and грех are deeply tied to Orthodox Christian traditions, where personal vices are often discussed in moral education and literature (e.g., in Dostoevsky's works). Вице- reflects influences from Western political structures, highlighting Russia's historical adaptations of foreign concepts in governance.

Related Concepts:

• добродетель (virtue)
• нравственность (morality)
• руководитель (leader, in contrast to вице-)