Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vulgarity'

English Word: vulgarity

Key Russian Translations:

• вульгарность [vʊlʲˈɡarnəsʲ] - [Formal; Used in discussions of behavior, art, or social norms]
• грубость [ɡrʊˈbosʲtʲ] - [Informal; Often implies rudeness or coarseness, with a broader connotation than vulgarity]
• пошлость [poˈʃlosʲtʲ] - [Formal/Informal; Emphasizes banality or tastelessness, sometimes in literary contexts]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its variants appear regularly in literature, media, and everyday conversations about etiquette, but are not as common as basic vocabulary.

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) - Requires familiarity with abstract nouns and borrowed words; for "вульгарность", it's B2, while "грубость" might be A2 for beginners due to its simpler structure.

Pronunciation (Russian):

вульгарность: [vʊlʲˈɡarnəsʲ]

грубость: [ɡrʊˈbosʲtʲ]

пошлость: [poˈʃlosʲtʲ]

Note on вульгарность: The stress falls on the third syllable; be careful with the soft 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'г'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The quality of being vulgar, tasteless, or lacking refinement (e.g., in behavior or art)

Translation(s) & Context:

• вульгарность - Used in formal critiques or discussions, such as describing crude humor in social settings.
• пошлость - Applied in literary or cultural contexts, emphasizing superficiality or cheapness.

Usage Examples:

• Его вульгарность в одежде шокировала гостей на вечеринке. (His vulgarity in clothing shocked the guests at the party.)

  Translation: His vulgarity in clothing shocked the guests at the party.

• В фильме подчеркивается пошлость современного общества. (The film highlights the vulgarity of modern society.)

  Translation: The film highlights the vulgarity of modern society.

• Грубость его шуток не понравилась аудитории. (The vulgarity of his jokes did not appeal to the audience.)

  Translation: The vulgarity of his jokes did not appeal to the audience.

• Избегайте вульгарности в публичных речах, чтобы сохранить репутацию. (Avoid vulgarity in public speeches to maintain your reputation.)

  Translation: Avoid vulgarity in public speeches to maintain your reputation.

Meaning 2: Something that is indecent or offensive, often in a social context

Translation(s) & Context:

• грубость - Common in everyday informal speech, especially when referring to rude behavior.
• вульгарность - Used in more polished contexts, like criticizing manners.

Usage Examples:

• Такая грубость в словах неприемлема на работе. (Such vulgarity in words is unacceptable at work.)

  Translation: Such vulgarity in words is unacceptable at work.

• Вульгарность его жестов вызвала скандал. (The vulgarity of his gestures caused a scandal.)

  Translation: The vulgarity of his gestures caused a scandal.

• Пошлость в рекламе отпугивает потенциальных клиентов. (The vulgarity in advertising repels potential clients.)

  Translation: The vulgarity in advertising repels potential clients.

• Грубость в общении может разрушить дружеские отношения. (Vulgarity in communication can destroy friendly relationships.)

  Translation: Vulgarity in communication can destroy friendly relationships.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are feminine nouns, which follow standard Russian declension patterns for third-declension nouns. Below is a table for "вульгарность" as an example; similar patterns apply to "грубость" and "пошлость" with minor variations.

For "грубость", it is invariable in some contexts but follows the same pattern. These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пошлость (similar to vulgarity but with a nuance of banality; often used in artistic critiques)
  • неприличие (implies impropriety, slightly less intense than vulgarity)
• Antonyms:
  • элегантность (elegance)
  • изысканность (refinement; used in formal contexts to contrast with vulgarity)

Related Phrases:

• Вульгарный юмор (Vulgar humor) - Refers to crude jokes that lack sophistication.
• Грубость в общении (Vulgarity in communication) - Describes rude or offensive interactions in daily life.
• Пошлость вкуса (Vulgarity of taste) - Used to criticize poor aesthetic choices, often in fashion or art.

Usage Notes:

"Vulgarity" translates most directly to "вульгарность" in formal contexts, but English speakers should note that Russian equivalents often carry cultural connotations of social class or education. For informal settings, "грубость" is preferred as it feels more conversational. Always consider the gender agreement in sentences, as these are feminine nouns (e.g., adjectives must agree: "большая вульгарность" for "great vulgarity"). When choosing between translations, opt for "пошлость" in literary discussions for its nuanced shade.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing "вульгарность" with "грубость" and using them interchangeably. Incorrect: "Его грубость в искусстве" (when meaning vulgarity in art). Correct: "Его вульгарность в искусстве". Explanation: "Грубость" emphasizes rudeness more than tastelessness, leading to a mismatch in meaning.
• Mistake: Forgetting declension in sentences, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Incorrect: "О вульгарность" (instead of "О вульгарности"). Correct: "О вульгарности" (prepositional case). Explanation: Russian requires case changes based on sentence structure, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "вульгарность" often reflect historical sensitivities to social status, stemming from 19th-century literature (e.g., in works by Tolstoy or Chekhov). It can imply a breach of "культурность" (cultured behavior), highlighting the value placed on refinement in post-Soviet society, where vulgarity might be associated with Western influences or lower-class stereotypes.

Related Concepts:

• культура (culture)
• этикет (etiquette)
• непристойность (indecency)