Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'atheism'

English Word: atheism

Key Russian Translations:

• атеизм /ɐˈtɛjɪzm/ - [Formal, used in philosophical and academic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions of philosophy, religion, and modern society, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and nominal declensions, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

атеизм: /ɐˈtɛjɪzm/ (The stress falls on the second syllable, "tɛj", which is a common feature in Russian words ending in -изм.)

Note on атеизм: Be mindful of the soft sign (ь) at the end, which affects pronunciation subtly by palatalizing the preceding consonant, though it's not always emphasized in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The doctrine or belief that there is no God or gods.

Translation(s) & Context:

• атеизм - Used in formal discussions of philosophy, science, or social issues, often in academic or intellectual settings to denote the rejection of theistic beliefs.

Usage Examples:

• В современном мире атеизм становится всё более популярным среди интеллектуалов.

  In the modern world, atheism is becoming increasingly popular among intellectuals.

• Атеизм как мировоззрение часто критикуется религиозными лидерами.

  Atheism as a worldview is often criticized by religious leaders.

• Многие философы в XIX веке пропагандировали атеизм в своих трудах.

  Many philosophers in the 19th century promoted atheism in their works.

• Атеизм не обязательно означает отсутствие моральных ценностей, как многие ошибочно думают.

  Atheism does not necessarily mean the absence of moral values, as many mistakenly think.

• В дискуссиях о науке атеизм часто противопоставляется теистическим взглядам.

  In discussions about science, atheism is often contrasted with theistic views.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Атеизм is a masculine noun of the second declension in Russian. It follows regular patterns for most cases but is invariable in plural forms since it typically refers to a concept rather than countable items. Below is a declension table for singular forms:

Note: This noun does not have a plural form in standard usage, as it represents an abstract concept. If used in a plural context (e.g., varieties of atheism), it might remain unchanged or be rephrased.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • безбожие (bezbozhiye) - More emotional or archaic term, implying godlessness with a negative connotation.
  • неверность (nevernost') - Rarely used; emphasizes faithlessness rather than philosophical stance.
• Antonyms:
  • теизм (teizm) - Belief in a god or gods, directly opposing atheism in religious discussions.
  • религия (religiya) - General term for organized religion, broader than teizm.

Related Phrases:

• атеистические взгляды - Atheistic views; Used in debates about belief systems.
• пропаганда атеизма - Propaganda of atheism; Refers to historical efforts to promote non-religious ideologies, e.g., in Soviet times.
• атеизм в науке - Atheism in science; Common in discussions linking scientific reasoning to non-theistic worldviews.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "атеизм" directly corresponds to the English "atheism" as a philosophical concept, but it is often used in more formal or intellectual contexts. Unlike in English, where "atheism" can be neutral, Russian usage may carry subtle historical baggage from the Soviet era, where it was promoted as state ideology. When choosing between synonyms like "безбожие," opt for "атеизм" in academic settings for precision. Grammatically, ensure correct declension based on sentence structure, such as using the genitive case after prepositions like "о" (about). For English learners, remember that Russian nouns like this one require attention to case endings for natural flow.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "атеизм" with "агностицизм" (agnosticism): Learners might misuse "атеизм" to mean uncertainty about God's existence, but it specifically denotes disbelief. Incorrect: "Я агностик, так что я атеизм." Correct: "Я агностик, так что я агностицизм." Explanation: Use "атеизм" only for active denial, not doubt.

• Improper declension: For example, saying "Я верю в атеизм" (I believe in atheism) is fine in nominative, but in phrases like "Книга об атеизм" (Book about atheism), it should be "Книга об атеизме" (genitive case). Explanation: Always adjust for case to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "атеизм" is deeply tied to the historical context of the Soviet Union, where it was actively promoted as part of state atheism policies from 1917 to 1991. This led to the suppression of religious practices and a rise in secular thought. Today, while Russia has seen a resurgence of Orthodox Christianity, "атеизм" still evokes discussions about freedom of belief and the legacy of communism, making it a sensitive topic in cultural conversations.

Related Concepts:

• агностицизм (agnosticism)
• скептицизм (skepticism)
• материализм (materialism)