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1. Poshlost
Russian-American author Vladimir Nabokov, who lectured on Slavic Research to college students in America, admitted that he couldn’t translate this phrase, which each and every Russian simply understands.
What’s poshlost (пошлость)?
Nabokov provides the next instance: “Open any journal and also you’ll actually discover one thing like this – a household simply purchased a radio (a automotive, a fridge, silverware, it would not matter), and the mom is clapping her palms, mad with pleasure, the youngsters gathered round her with their mouths agape; the infant and the canine are leaning in direction of the desk on which the `idol’ has been hoisted… a bit to the facet victoriously stands the daddy, the proud breadwinner.
The extreme “poshlosity” of such a scene comes not from the false exaggeration of the dignity of a specific helpful object, however from the belief that the best pleasure may be purchased and that such a buy ennobles the customer.”
“This phrase contains triviality, vulgarity, sexual promiscuity and soullessness,” added the late Professor Svetlana Boym from Harvard College.
2. Nadryv
German Wikipedia has a complete article devoted to the phrase nadryv (надрыв). It is a key idea within the writings of Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky.
The phrase describes an uncontrollable emotional outburst, when an individual releases intimate, deeply hidden emotions.
Furthermore, Dostoevsky’s nadryv implies a scenario through which the protagonist indulges within the thought that he can discover in his soul one thing that will not even exist.
That is why the nadryv typically expressed imaginary, excessively exaggerated and distorted emotions. One half of the novel, Brothers Karamazov, is known as “Nadryvs.”
3. Khamstvo
Soviet émigré author Sergei Dovlatov wrote about this phenomenon within the article “This Untranslatable Khamstvo,” commenting that “Khamstvo is nothing aside from rudeness, vanity and insolence multiplied by impunity.”
In Dovlatov’s view, it’s with impunity that khamstvo (хамство) outright kills us.
It is inconceivable to battle it; you possibly can solely resign your self to it. “I’ve lived on this mad, fantastic, horrifying New York for ten years and am amazed by the absence of khamstvo. Something can occur to you right here, however there’s no khamstvo. You may be robbed however nobody will shut the door in your face,” added the author.
4. Stushevatsya
Some linguists consider stushevatsya (стушеваться) was launched by Fyodor Dostoevsky, who used it for the primary time in a figurative sense in his novella, The Double. This phrase means to be much less noticeable, go to the background, lose an necessary position, noticeably go away the scene, grow to be confused in a clumsy or sudden scenario, grow to be meek.
5. Toska
This Russian phrase may be translated as “emotional ache,” or “melancholy,” however this doesn’t transmit all of its depth. Vladimir Nabokov wrote that, “Not one phrase in English can transmit all of the nuances of toska (тоска). It is a feeling of non secular struggling with none explicit motive. On a much less dolorous stage, it’s the vague ache of the soul…obscure anxiousness, nostalgia, amorous longing.”
6. Bytie
This phrase comes from the Russian byt’(to exist). In Russian-English dictionaries this philosophical idea is translated as “being.” Nonetheless, bytie (бытие) is not only life or existence, it’s the existence of an goal actuality that’s unbiased of human consciousness (cosmos, nature, matter).
7. Bespredel
Eliot Borenstein, professor of Slavic Research at New York College, explains that bespredel (беспредел) actually means “with out restrictions or limits.” Translators typically use “lawlessness” (bezzakonie). In Russian, nonetheless, the that means of bespredel is way broader, and refers back to the conduct of an individual who violates not solely the regulation, but additionally ethical and social norms.
8. Avos’
It’s somewhat tough to elucidate to individuals of different nationalities what this implies. Apparently, many individuals consider that avos’ (авось) is the principle Russian nationwide trait. Hoping for the avos’ means doing one thing with out planning, with out placing in a lot effort, relying on success.
9. Yurodivy
Yurodivys (юродивые) in historic Rus’ have been individuals who voluntarily renounced earthly pleasures within the title of Christ. Such individuals regarded like madmen, and led a wandering way of life with the intention of acquiring inside peace and defeating the foundation of all sin – pleasure. They have been valued and have been thought-about near God. Their opinions and prophecies have been considered they usually have been even feared.
10. Podvig
This phrase is usually translated into English as “feat” or “achievement,” but it surely has different meanings. Podvig (подвиг) is not only a end result, or the achievement of an goal; it’s a courageous and heroic act, an motion carried out in tough circumstances. Russian literature typically mentions army, civilian podvigs and even scientific podvigs. Furthermore, this phrase is a synonym for selfless acts, for instance, a podvig within the title of affection.
Supply: Russia Past the Headlines
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