позорище is a strong, colloquial Russian noun meaning “a disgrace,” “an utter embarrassment,” or “a shame.” It is more forceful than позор, often expressing anger, contempt, or exasperation about something seen as embarrassingly bad.
It can describe a person, performance, decision, event, or situation. Depending on tone, it may be a serious condemnation or a dramatic, joking complaint among friends.
- Related word: позор — “disgrace; shame.”
- Common exclamation: Какое позорище! — “What a disgrace!”
- Similar expressions: стыд и срам — “shame and disgrace”; кошмар — “a nightmare,” often used informally about something awful.
- The ending -ище is an expressive suffix that can intensify a word; here it makes the sense more emphatic.
- The word ultimately relates to an old Slavic root connected with shame, reproach, and public dishonor.
- Это просто позорище — матч закончился со счётом пять-ноль.
This is simply an utter embarrassment—the match ended five–zero.
- Опоздать на собственную свадьбу — настоящее позорище.
Being late to your own wedding is a real disgrace.
- Какое позорище, я забыл выключить микрофон на встрече!
What an embarrassment—I forgot to turn off my microphone during the meeting!
- После такого позорища команда должна извиниться перед болельщиками.
After such a disgrace, the team should apologize to the fans.
- Мы заказали дорогой торт, а он оказался сухим — позорище!
We ordered an expensive cake, but it turned out dry—what a shame!
