Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'adoration'

English Word: adoration

Key Russian Translations:

• Обожание /ɐ.bɐˈʐa.nʲɪ.jə/ - [Formal, used in contexts of deep affection or admiration]
• Поклонение /pɐk.lɐˈnʲe.nʲɪ.jə/ - [Formal, often in religious or reverential contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, poetry, and emotional discussions, but not in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; requires understanding of nuanced emotional vocabulary and basic noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Обожание: /ɐ.bɐˈʐa.nʲɪ.jə/

Поклонение: /pɐk.lɐˈnʲe.nʲɪ.jə/

Note on Обожание: The 'ж' sound (/ʐ/) is a voiced fricative, similar to the 's' in "measure," which can be challenging for English speakers; stress falls on the third syllable.

Note on Поклонение: The 'о' in the first syllable is pronounced as a short /ɐ/, and the word ends with a soft 'e' sound; be mindful of the palatalized consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Deep love, admiration, or devotion towards someone or something

Translation(s) & Context:

• Обожание - Used in romantic, familial, or personal admiration contexts, such as expressing intense affection.
• Поклонение - Applied in more formal or spiritual settings, like worshiping a deity or idolizing a figure.

Usage Examples:

• Его обожание к знаменитой актрисе граничит с одержимостью.

  His adoration for the famous actress borders on obsession.

• В её глазах отражалось обожание, когда она говорила о своём ребёнке.

  In her eyes, adoration was reflected when she spoke about her child.

• Обожание публики к певцу не угасает даже спустя годы.

  The adoration of the public for the singer doesn't fade even after years.

• Её обожание к искусству проявляется в каждой картине, которую она рисует.

  Her adoration for art is evident in every painting she creates.

Meaning 2: Religious or reverential worship

Translation(s) & Context:

• Поклонение - Common in religious or ceremonial contexts, such as in Orthodox traditions.
• Обожание - Less common here, but can imply idolatrous devotion.

Usage Examples:

• Поклонение иконам является важной частью русской православной традиции.

  Adoration of icons is an important part of Russian Orthodox tradition.

• Его поклонение богу выражается через ежедневные молитвы.

  His adoration of God is expressed through daily prayers.

• В храме ощущается глубокое поклонение, которое передаётся из поколения в поколение.

  In the church, a deep adoration is felt, passed down from generation to generation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Обожание" and "Поклонение" are neuter nouns in Russian, which follow standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. They are indeclinable in some cases due to their ending, but generally change based on case and number.

Note: These nouns are regular but can be invariable in fixed phrases. For example, "обожание" remains unchanged in expressions like "слепое обожание."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Любовь (general love, with a broader emotional scope), Восторг (excitement or rapture, often temporary)
• Antonyms: Ненависть (hatred, direct opposite in emotional intensity), Презрение (contempt, implying disdain)

Related Phrases:

• Слепое обожание - Blind adoration; used to describe uncritical admiration, often with potential negative connotations.
• Глубокое поклонение - Deep adoration; typically in a spiritual or reverent context, emphasizing profound respect.
• Обожание кумира - Adoration of an idol; common in pop culture, referring to fan devotion.

Usage Notes:

"Обожание" is the most direct translation for everyday emotional adoration and is preferred in non-religious contexts, while "Поклонение" is better for formal or spiritual scenarios. English speakers should note that Russian often requires the appropriate case based on sentence structure—e.g., use genitive for possession. Choose "Обожание" for personal relationships to convey warmth, but avoid it in religious texts where "Поклонение" fits better. Be mindful of cultural nuances: Russian expressions of adoration can be more poetic or intense than in English.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Обожание" interchangeably with "Любовь" without context. Correct: "Обожание" implies idolization, while "Любовь" is more general love. Example of error: "Я люблю её" mistakenly said as "Я обожаю её" in non-idolatrous contexts. Explanation: This can overstate emotions; use "Любовь" for standard affection.

• Error: Forgetting declension in sentences, e.g., saying "обожание к" instead of "обожание к [dative case]." Correct: "Обожание к кому-то" should adjust based on case. Explanation: Russian grammar requires agreement, so learners must practice noun endings to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Обожание" often appear in literature and poetry, such as in the works of Pushkin or Tolstoy, where adoration is tied to romantic idealism or spiritual devotion. This reflects a historical emphasis on intense emotional expression, influenced by Orthodox Christianity and Slavic romanticism, making it a key element in understanding Russian art and interpersonal relationships.

Related Concepts:

• Страсть (passion)
• Восторг (ecstasy)
• Идолопоклонство (idolatry)