Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Agnostic'

English Word: Agnostic

Key Russian Translations:

• агностик [ɐɡˈnostʲɪk] - [Formal, Noun, Person who is agnostic]
• агностический [ɐɡnɐˈstʲitɕɪskʲɪj] - [Formal, Adjective, Related to agnosticism]

Frequency: Low

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

агностик: [ɐɡˈnostʲɪk]

Note on агностик: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'г' is pronounced as a voiced fricative [ɡ].

агностический: [ɐɡnɐˈstʲitɕɪskʲɪj]

Note on агностический: Stress falls on the third syllable. The ending '-ский' is common in Russian adjectives.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence of God or anything beyond material phenomena

Translation(s) & Context:

• агностик - Used to refer to a person holding agnostic views, often in philosophical or religious discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он называет себя агностиком, потому что не уверен в существовании Бога.

  He calls himself an agnostic because he is unsure about the existence of God.

• Многие агностики избегают категоричных суждений о религии.

  Many agnostics avoid categorical judgments about religion.

• Быть агностиком — значит признавать пределы человеческого знания.

  Being an agnostic means acknowledging the limits of human knowledge.

2. Relating to or denoting agnosticism (as an adjective)

Translation(s) & Context:

• агностический - Used to describe something related to agnosticism, often in academic or formal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Его агностический взгляд на мир удивил религиозных друзей.

  His agnostic view of the world surprised his religious friends.

• Это исследование принимает агностический подход к вопросу о божественном.

  This study takes an agnostic approach to the question of the divine.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

агностик (Noun, Masculine):

агностический (Adjective): Declines as a regular adjective, agreeing in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies (e.g., агностический взгляд, агностическая позиция).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for агностик:

• скептик (skeptic - slightly broader term)

Antonyms for агностик:

• верующий (believer)
• атеист (atheist)

Related Phrases:

• агностический подход - Agnostic approach (used in academic or philosophical discussions).
• оставаться агностиком - To remain agnostic (used when someone maintains a neutral stance on a controversial issue).

Usage Notes:

• The term "агностик" specifically refers to a person with agnostic beliefs, while "агностический" is used as an adjective to describe ideas or approaches related to agnosticism.
• These terms are primarily used in formal or intellectual contexts, such as philosophy or theology discussions. They are rarely used in casual conversation.
• Be mindful of the cultural context, as discussions about religion or belief systems can be sensitive in Russian-speaking environments.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "агностик" as an adjective.
  Incorrect: Его взгляд агностик.
  Correct: Его взгляд агностический.
  Explanation: "агностик" is a noun referring to a person, while "агностический" is the adjective form.
• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation.
  Incorrect: Pronouncing "агностик" as [ɐɡnɐˈstʲɪk].
  Correct: [ɐɡˈnostʲɪk].
  Explanation: Stress in Russian words is critical, and misplacing it can make the word sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions about agnosticism may be less common than in some Western contexts, as religious and atheistic views have historically dominated due to the Soviet legacy and the resurgence of Orthodoxy. The term "агностик" may carry a nuanced or academic tone and is often associated with intellectual or philosophical discourse rather than everyday conversation.

Related Concepts:

• атеизм (atheism)
• религия (religion)
• скептицизм (skepticism)