Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Ascetic'

English Word: ascetic

Key Russian Translations:

• аскет [ɐsˈkʲet] - [Masculine, Formal]
• аскетка [ɐsˈkʲetkə] - [Feminine, Formal]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

аскет: [ɐsˈkʲet]

Note on аскет: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "е" is pronounced as a soft "ye" sound due to the preceding palatalized consonant.

аскетка: [ɐsˈkʲetkə]

Note on аскетка: Similar to "аскет" but with a feminine ending "-ка". The final "a" is unstressed and pronounced as a schwa-like sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A person who practices severe self-discipline and abstains from indulgence (noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• аскет - Used for a male ascetic, often in religious or philosophical contexts.
• аскетка - Used for a female ascetic, with the same contextual usage.

Usage Examples:

• Он жил как аскет, отказываясь от всех мирских удовольствий.

  He lived as an ascetic, renouncing all worldly pleasures.

• Эта женщина — настоящая аскетка, она проводит дни в молитвах.

  This woman is a true ascetic; she spends her days in prayer.

• Аскеты часто выбирают уединение для духовного роста.

  Ascetics often choose solitude for spiritual growth.

• В монастыре он стал аскетом, следуя строгим правилам.

  In the monastery, he became an ascetic, following strict rules.

• Её аскетичный образ жизни удивлял всех вокруг.

  Her ascetic lifestyle surprised everyone around her.

2. Relating to or characteristic of an ascetic (adjective)

Translation(s) & Context:

• аскетичный - Used to describe a lifestyle or behavior reflecting asceticism.

Usage Examples:

• Его аскетичный образ жизни был примером для других.

  His ascetic lifestyle was an example to others.

• Она выбрала аскетичную обстановку для своей комнаты.

  She chose an ascetic setting for her room.

• Аскетичный подход к еде помог ему достичь внутреннего покоя.

  An ascetic approach to food helped him achieve inner peace.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

аскет (Masculine Noun): Follows the second declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

аскетка (Feminine Noun): Follows the first declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in "-а".

аскетичный (Adjective): Declines as a regular adjective with masculine, feminine, neuter, and plural forms based on agreement with the noun it modifies.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for аскет/аскетка:

• отшельник (hermit, often with a religious connotation)
• подвижник (devotee, often implying spiritual struggle)

Antonyms for аскет/аскетка:

• гедонист (hedonist)
• сибарит (sybarite, lover of luxury)

Related Phrases:

• жить аскетом - To live as an ascetic (to lead a life of self-denial).
• аскетичный образ жизни - Ascetic lifestyle (a way of living with minimal comforts).
• духовный аскет - Spiritual ascetic (someone who practices self-discipline for spiritual reasons).

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "аскет" and "аскетка" depends on the gender of the person being described. Use "аскет" for males and "аскетка" for females.
• "аскетичный" is used as an adjective to describe behaviors, lifestyles, or environments associated with asceticism. It can sometimes carry a neutral or even negative connotation if the simplicity feels excessive or unnecessary.
• These terms are often used in formal or literary contexts, especially when discussing religious or philosophical topics.

Common Errors:

• Gender Misuse: English speakers often forget to adjust for gender when using "аскет" or "аскетка". For example, saying "Она аскет" (using the masculine form for a female) is incorrect. The correct form is "Она аскетка".
• Incorrect Case Usage: Beginners might use the nominative case incorrectly in sentences requiring other cases. For instance, "Я восхищаюсь аскет" should be "Я восхищаюсь аскетом" (instrumental case).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of asceticism is often associated with Orthodox Christianity, where monks and hermits (аскеты) are respected for their spiritual dedication. The term "аскет" may evoke images of historical figures or saints who renounced worldly pleasures for divine pursuits. Understanding this cultural backdrop can help in grasping the deeper connotations of the word in Russian contexts.

Related Concepts:

• монашество (monasticism)
• отречение (renunciation)
• духовность (spirituality)