Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Alms'

English Word: alms

Key Russian Translations:

• милостыня [mʲɪlɐˈstɨnʲə] - [Singular, Formal/Neutral]
• подаяние [pədɐˈjanʲɪjə] - [Singular, Slightly Archaic/Formal]

Frequency: Low (Rare in modern conversational Russian, more common in religious or historical contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations due to contextual and cultural nuances

Pronunciation (Russian):

милостыня: [mʲɪlɐˈstɨnʲə]

Note on милостыня: Stress falls on the third syllable. The 'ы' sound is a unique Russian vowel, pronounced as a short, unrounded 'i'.

подаяние: [pədɐˈjanʲɪjə]

Note on подаяние: Stress on the third syllable. The soft 'н' (indicated by 'ʲ') requires palatalization, a common feature in Russian pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Charity or money given to the poor

Translation(s) & Context:

• милостыня - Commonly used in both religious and general contexts to refer to alms or charity given to the needy.
• подаяние - More formal or archaic, often found in literature or religious texts to denote a gift or offering to the poor.

Usage Examples:

• Он дал милостыню нищему на улице.

  He gave alms to the beggar on the street.

• В церкви собирали милостыню для нуждающихся.

  In the church, they collected alms for the needy.

• В старых книгах описано, как странники просили подаяние.

  Old books describe how wanderers begged for alms.

• Она подала милостыню с добрым сердцем.

  She gave alms with a kind heart.

• Подаяние было единственным способом выжить для многих бедняков.

  Alms were the only way to survive for many poor people.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

милостыня (feminine noun): Follows the standard feminine declension pattern in Russian.

подаяние (neuter noun): Follows the standard neuter declension pattern.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for милостыня/подаяние:

• благотворительность (charity, more general)
• дар (gift, broader context)

Antonyms for милостыня/подаяние:

• жадность (greed)
• скупость (stinginess)

Note: Synonyms like "благотворительность" often imply organized charity, whereas "милостыня" is more personal and direct.

Related Phrases:

• дать милостыню - to give alms (common expression for the act of charity)
• просить милостыню - to beg for alms (used for describing begging)
• жить на подаяния - to live on alms (indicating dependence on charity)

Usage Notes:

• "милостыня" is the more commonly used term in modern Russian and is appropriate for most contexts involving personal charity or alms-giving.
• "подаяние" has a more formal or archaic tone and is often encountered in religious or historical texts. It may sound outdated in casual conversation.
• Both terms are primarily used in singular form, as alms are often considered a collective or abstract concept in Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "подаяние" in casual, modern contexts.
  Incorrect: Я дал подаяние на улице.
  Correct: Я дал милостыню на улице.
  Explanation: "подаяние" sounds overly formal or archaic for everyday speech; "милостыня" is the preferred choice.
• Error: Incorrect case usage due to lack of understanding of Russian declensions.
  Incorrect: Я дал милостыня.
  Correct: Я дал милостыню.
  Explanation: "милостыня" must be in the accusative case ("милостыню") after the verb "дать" (to give).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, giving alms ("милостыня") is often associated with religious traditions, especially within the Orthodox Christian context, where charity is seen as a virtuous act. Historically, begging for alms was common among pilgrims and the poor, and the concept carries a tone of humility and compassion. In modern Russia, while direct alms-giving still occurs, organized charity ("благотворительность") is more common.

Related Concepts:

• благотворительность (charity)
• нищета (poverty)
• доброта (kindness)