Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Almighty'

English Word: Almighty

Key Russian Translations:

• Всемогущий [vʲsʲɪˈmoɡʊt͡ɕɪj] - [Formal, Often used in religious or literary contexts]
• Всесильный [fsʲɪˈsʲilʲnɨj] - [Formal, Less common, used in philosophical or poetic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (often encountered in religious, literary, or formal texts)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations due to specific contextual usage

Pronunciation (Russian):

Всемогущий: [vʲsʲɪˈmoɡʊt͡ɕɪj]

Note on Всемогущий: Stress falls on the third syllable ("mo"). The "щ" sound is a soft "shch," which may be challenging for non-native speakers.

Всесильный: [fsʲɪˈsʲilʲnɨj]

Note on Всесильный: Stress on the second syllable ("si"). The initial "вс" cluster can be tricky to pronounce smoothly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. All-powerful (Religious or Divine Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Всемогущий - Primarily used to describe a divine or supreme being, often in religious texts or prayers.

Usage Examples:

• Всемогущий Бог слышит наши молитвы.

  The Almighty God hears our prayers.

• Мы верим во Всемогущего, который правит миром.

  We believe in the Almighty who rules the world.

• Обратимся к Всемогущему за помощью.

  Let us turn to the Almighty for help.

2. Extremely Powerful (Figurative or Literary Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Всесильный - Used metaphorically to describe someone or something with immense power or influence, often in literature or formal speech.

Usage Examples:

• Всесильный диктатор управлял страной железной рукой.

  The almighty dictator ruled the country with an iron fist.

• Всесильная природа может разрушить всё на своём пути.

  Almighty nature can destroy everything in its path.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Всемогущий (Adjective): Follows standard Russian adjective declension patterns based on gender, number, and case.

Всесильный (Adjective): Follows similar adjective declension rules. Refer to standard Russian grammar for full declension.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for Всемогущий/Всесильный:

• Всевластный (All-powerful, often in a controlling sense)
• Всемощный (Rare, literary term for omnipotent)

Note: "Всевластный" often implies control or dominance, while "Всемогущий" is more tied to divine power.

Antonyms for Всемогущий/Всесильный:

• Бессильный (Powerless)
• Слабый (Weak)

Related Phrases:

• Всемогущий Господь - "The Almighty Lord" (common in religious contexts)
• Всесильная воля - "Almighty will" (used to describe an unstoppable determination or force)

Usage Notes:

• "Всемогущий" is the most common translation for "almighty," especially in religious or spiritual contexts referring to God or a supreme being.
• "Всесильный" is less frequent and often used metaphorically to describe powerful entities or forces, such as nature or authority figures.
• Both terms are formal and rarely used in casual conversation. They are more common in written texts, speeches, or religious settings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Всемогущий" in informal or mundane contexts, e.g., saying "Он всемогущий человек" ("He is an almighty person") to mean someone is very capable.
  Correction: Use "очень способный" ("very capable") or "сильный" ("strong") instead. "Всемогущий" is reserved for divine or supreme power.
• Error: Mispronouncing "Всемогущий" by stressing the wrong syllable.
  Correction: Stress "mo" ([vʲsʲɪˈmoɡʊt͡ɕɪj]), not "vse" or "gu."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "Всемогущий" is deeply tied to Orthodox Christian terminology, often used in prayers and hymns to refer to God. Its usage carries a sense of reverence and is rarely applied to humans or secular entities, unlike in English where "almighty" can sometimes be used hyperbolically (e.g., "the almighty dollar"). Understanding this cultural nuance is key to using the term appropriately.

Related Concepts:

• Всеведущий (All-knowing, omniscient)
• Вездесущий (Omnipresent, everywhere)