(no subject)

[ex-bluejuly.livejournal.com]

Can жопа be used literally like how in English we can use "ass" in two different ways? ie, "you stupid ass" & "there's a gum sticking on your ass." Or is it зад in the latter case?

Comments

[ex-evengar540.livejournal.com]

There are several types of Russians. One type can't tolerate any profanity; other can; and third understands only profanity. People are different; especially in the very diversed country named Russia. I personally won't mind, if you'd use some words from the "censored" vocabulary; someone will.

You may better "weigh" the meaning of the word "жопа" by comparing it to other words of the nearly same meaning:
"зад" - behind, can be used at any places (well... if you need to :-))
"задница" - butt, is more vulgar
"жопа" - ass, is the most vulgar meaning for this poor part of the human body. No politician will use this word in official speech, if he doesn't want to get a bad reputation. The difference between "задница" and "жопа" is that the first one can hardy be called profanity, and the second is profanity.

Russian language has a polite sissy substite for "жопа", it differs by only one, first letter. This word is "попа", it's not profanity by any means. It works almost as "sugar" instead of "shit" (or "what the heck?" instead of "whaddafuck?", if you wish), though it means the same as "жопа". If you wanna say that your butt hurts after riding a bycicle, you probably shouldn't use the ж-word (if you aren't in a company of the well-known friends).

I won't tell you how you can use the great ж-word because there'll probably be many, who'll tell you this without me. But remember, "жопа" is a great word, as many, when you use it appropriately.

When you're in Russia, don't use any profanity before you know the person you're talking to better. If you see that this person can be considered as so called intelligentsia (botanic-type guy or girl), don't even try to use it. Don't go into cursing without knowing Russian good, or you could look funny or even get into a trouble.

Runglish sure a great tongue, lords. Specially the slang.

[med99.livejournal.com]

You're on your own for explaining that 'botanic' to the non-MGIMO-finished.

Sorry.

[ex-evengar540.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I said it, re-read it and realized my commentary here is far too offensive. Didn't mean to.

Re: Sorry.

[ex-evengar540.livejournal.com]

I deleted it now. I need to start getting more sleep :-)

All I wanted to say is that it's easy to make a neologism. We saw the examples of perestroika and samizdat. Botanik is a smart-assed nerd student.

Good luck.

[cema.livejournal.com]

Бoтаник: a nerd.