Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'voracity'

English Word: voracity

Key Russian Translations:

• жадность (/ʐədˈnostʲ/) - [Formal; used in contexts of greed or excessive desire]
• обжорство (/ɐbˈʐorstvə/) - [Informal; specifically for excessive eating or gluttony]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, discussions on human behavior, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and noun inflections, with "жадность" being slightly easier and "обжорство" potentially more challenging due to its specific connotations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

жадность: /ʐədˈnostʲ/

обжорство: /ɐbˈʐorstvə/

Note on жадность: The initial /ʐ/ sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, similar to the 'zh' in 'measure', which can be tricky for English speakers; stress is on the second syllable.

Note on обжорство: Pronounce with emphasis on the second syllable; the /ɐ/ is a neutral vowel sound.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The quality of being extremely eager to consume large amounts of food or possess things greedily.

Translation(s) & Context:

• жадность - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe greed for possessions, such as wealth or power; common in psychological or ethical discussions.
• обжорство - Applied in informal settings for gluttonous behavior related to food; often in humorous or critical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Его жадность к деньгам не позволяла ему делиться с другими.

  His voracity for money prevented him from sharing with others.

• Обжорство на праздничном столе часто приводит к расстройству желудка.

  Voracity at the holiday table often leads to stomach upset.

• Жадность коллекционера заставила его купить редкую книгу по завышенной цене.

  The collector's voracity drove him to buy a rare book at an inflated price.

• В детстве её обжорство проявлялось во время семейных ужинов.

  In her childhood, her voracity showed during family dinners.

• Жадность к власти разрушила многие династии в истории.

  Voracity for power has destroyed many dynasties in history.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "жадность" and "обжорство" are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard third-declension patterns with variations based on case, number, and gender agreements. They are abstract nouns and do not change in the plural form as they are typically uncountable in common usage.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular inflections but must agree with adjectives and verbs in gender and case, which is standard for Russian feminine nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • алчность (alchnost') - Similar to жадность but often implies a more intense, insatiable greed; used in financial contexts.
  • скупость (skupost') - Overlaps with жадность in hoarding behavior but focuses on stinginess.
• Antonyms:
  • щедрость (shchedrost') - Generosity, directly opposite to greed in sharing resources.
  • воздержанность (vozderzhannost') - Self-restraint, especially in the context of eating for обжорство.

Related Phrases:

• с жадностью (s zhadnost'yu) - With greed; used to describe an action performed eagerly, e.g., in competitive situations.
• обжорство и пьянство (obzhorsvo i p'yansvo) - Gluttony and drunkenness; a phrase for excessive indulgence, often in moral or health contexts.
• жадность до добра не доводит (zhadnost' do dobra ne dovodit) - Greed leads to no good; a proverbial expression warning against excessive desire.

Usage Notes:

Вoracity in English often corresponds to "жадность" when referring to general greed, but "обжорство" is more precise for food-related contexts. Use "жадность" in formal writing or discussions about ethics, as it aligns with broader psychological traits. Be cautious with "обжорство," which carries a negative, informal tone and should be avoided in polite conversation. In Russian, these words require proper case agreement; for example, pair them with verbs in the appropriate form. When choosing between translations, opt for "жадность" if the context is metaphorical, and "обжорство" for literal overeating.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "жадность" with "скупость": English learners might use "жадность" to mean mere thriftiness, but it's actually about greed. Correct: "Его жадность видна в накоплении богатства" (His greed is evident in accumulating wealth). Error: "Его скупость видна..." (which implies stinginess, not active greed).
• Misinflecting the noun: Forgetting case changes, e.g., saying "без жадность" instead of "без жадности" in genitive contexts. Correct: "Без жадности невозможно достичь баланса" (Without greed, balance is impossible).
• Overusing "обжорство" in non-food contexts: This word is specific to gluttony; don't substitute it for general voracity. Error: "Его обжорство к власти" (incorrect); Correct: "Его жадность к власти."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "жадность" often appears in literature and folklore as a moral flaw, such as in fairy tales where greedy characters face downfall, reflecting traditional values of community and sharing. "Обжорство" might evoke humorous or satirical portrayals in media, highlighting the cultural emphasis on hospitality and moderation in feasting.

Related Concepts:

• алчность
• скупость
• щедрость
• воздержанность