Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Altar'

English Word: Altar

Key Russian Translations:

• алтарь [ɐlˈtarʲ] - [Formal, Religious Context]
• жертвенник [ʐɨrˈtvʲennʲɪk] - [Formal, Historical or Symbolic Context]

Frequency: Medium (used in specific religious or historical contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "алтарь"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "жертвенник" due to less frequent usage

Pronunciation (Russian):

алтарь: [ɐlˈtarʲ]

Note on алтарь: The stress is on the second syllable. The "р" is rolled slightly, typical of Russian pronunciation.

жертвенник: [ʐɨrˈtvʲennʲɪk]

Note on жертвенник: The initial "ж" is a voiced fricative sound, similar to the "s" in "measure." Stress falls on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A table or structure used for religious offerings or ceremonies

Translation(s) & Context:

• алтарь - Commonly used in Christian contexts to refer to the altar in a church.
• жертвенник - Often used in historical or pagan contexts, referring to a place of sacrifice.

Usage Examples:

• В церкви алтарь находится за иконостасом.

  In the church, the altar is located behind the iconostasis.

• Священник совершил обряд у алтаря.

  The priest performed the ritual at the altar.

• Древние славяне приносили жертвы на жертвеннике.

  Ancient Slavs offered sacrifices on the altar (sacrificial stone).

• Жертвенник был построен из камня в центре святилища.

  The altar was built of stone in the center of the sanctuary.

• Алтарь украшен цветами на Пасху.

  The altar is decorated with flowers for Easter.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

алтарь (altar): Masculine noun, follows the second declension pattern.

жертвенник (sacrificial altar): Masculine noun, also follows the second declension but with a different stem.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for алтарь:

• престол (used specifically in Orthodox Christian contexts for the central altar table)

Note: "престол" is more specific to the Orthodox Church, while "алтарь" can refer to the broader altar area.

Synonyms for жертвенник:

• капище (refers to a pagan altar or sacred place, often with a broader meaning)

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "altar" lacks a clear opposite in religious contexts.

Related Phrases:

• подойти к алтарю - "to approach the altar" (often used in wedding contexts)
• служить у алтаря - "to serve at the altar" (referring to a priest's duties)
• жертвенник для богов - "altar for the gods" (used in historical or mythological contexts)

Usage Notes:

• "алтарь" is the most common translation for "altar" in modern Russian, especially in Christian contexts. It refers to both the physical structure and the sacred space in a church.
• "жертвенник" is less common and often used in historical, literary, or pagan contexts to emphasize the act of sacrifice.
• Be mindful of the context when choosing between the two. Using "жертвенник" in a modern Christian setting would sound archaic or inappropriate.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "жертвенник" to describe a modern church altar.
  Incorrect: В современной церкви есть жертвенник.
  Correct: В современной церкви есть алтарь.
  Explanation: "жертвенник" implies a historical or sacrificial context, not suitable for modern Christian settings.
• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation (e.g., stressing the first syllable of "алтарь").
  Explanation: Stress in Russian is crucial; misplacing it can make the word sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian Orthodox tradition, the "алтарь" is a highly sacred space, often separated from the rest of the church by an iconostasis (a wall of icons). Only clergy are typically allowed to enter this area, which reflects the deep reverence associated with the term in Russian culture.

Related Concepts:

• иконостас (iconostasis)
• престол (altar table in Orthodox churches)
• святилище (sanctuary)