Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'augury'

English Word: augury

Key Russian Translations:

• гадание /ɡɐˈda.nʲe/ - [Formal, often used in literary or historical contexts]
• предзнаменование /prʲɪd.znɐ.mʲɪˈna.və.nʲe/ - [Formal, implies a sign or omen]
• примета /prʲɪˈmʲe.tə/ - [Informal, everyday usage for superstitions or signs]

Frequency: Medium (Appears moderately in literature, folklore, and discussions of superstition, but not in everyday casual conversation).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and cultural nuances, with variations in formality making it challenging for learners).

Pronunciation (Russian):

гадание: /ɡɐˈda.nʲe/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, similar to the 'g' in 'go'.)

предзнаменование: /prʲɪd.znɐ.mʲɪˈna.və.nʲe/ (Stress on the fourth syllable; note the palatalized 'н' which softens the sound.)

примета: /prʲɪˈmʲe.tə/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'м' is palatalized, giving a softer, more fluid pronunciation.)

Note on гадание: This word may vary slightly in rapid speech, with the final 'е' sometimes reduced in informal contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A sign or omen predicting the future (e.g., in divination or superstition)

Translation(s) & Context:

• гадание - Used in formal or literary contexts for practices like fortune-telling.
• предзнаменование - Applied in historical or prophetic scenarios, often with a sense of foreboding.
• примета - Common in everyday informal settings, such as folk beliefs.

Usage Examples:

• В древние времена люди полагались на гадание, чтобы предсказать урожай.

  In ancient times, people relied on augury to predict the harvest.

• Это предзнаменование указывало на грядущие перемены в стране.

  This augury indicated upcoming changes in the country.

• Старая примета гласит, что чёрная кошка предвещает беду.

  The old augury states that a black cat foretells bad luck.

• Многие используют гадание как способ разобраться в неопределённостях жизни.

  Many use augury as a way to make sense of life's uncertainties.

Meaning 2: An act of interpreting signs for prophecy (e.g., in rituals)

Translation(s) & Context:

• гадание - In ritualistic or mystical contexts, emphasizing the process.
• примета - More casual, in personal or superstitious interpretations.

Usage Examples:

• Во время гадания шаман интерпретировал полёт птиц как знак удачи.

  During the augury, the shaman interpreted the flight of birds as a sign of good luck.

• Её примета о разбитом зеркале всегда заставляет её нервничать.

  Her augury about a broken mirror always makes her nervous.

• Гадание по звёздам остаётся популярным в некоторых кругах.

  Augury through the stars remains popular in certain circles.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily nouns, which in Russian undergo declension based on case, number, and gender. "Гадание" is a neuter noun, "предзнаменование" is also neuter, and "примета" is feminine. They follow standard Russian noun patterns with some irregularities.

Note: These words do not change in gender but follow irregular patterns in plural forms, common in Russian abstract nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пророчество (/prɐˈro.t͡ɕɪ.st.və/)
  • знамение (/znɐˈmʲe.nʲe/ - Often used interchangeably with примета in casual contexts)
  • предсказание (/prʲɪd.skɐˈza.nʲe/ - More neutral, less mystical than гадание)
• Antonyms:
  • реальность (/rʲɪ.ɐlʲ.nəs.tʲ/ - Reality, contrasting with superstitious signs)
  • сомнение (/sɐm.nʲe.nʲe/ - Doubt, opposing the certainty of an augury)

Related Phrases:

• Гадание на картах - Fortune-telling with cards; a common method of augury in modern contexts.
• Злая примета - Bad omen; used to describe negative signs in folklore.
• Предзнаменование судьбы - Sign of fate; often in literary or dramatic scenarios.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "augury" translations like гадание are more formal and tied to cultural traditions, such as Slavic folklore, whereas примета is everyday and superstitious. Choose гадание for historical or ritualistic contexts to match the precise English meaning, but opt for примета in casual conversations. Be mindful of grammar: these nouns require correct case agreement, e.g., in prepositional phrases. English speakers might confuse augury with simple predictions, but in Russian, it often carries a mystical connotation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "гадание" in plural without context, e.g., saying "гаданиями" incorrectly for a single event. Correct: Stick to singular for specific instances, as in "Это было гадание" (This was an augury). Explanation: Russian nouns like this don't always pluralize naturally; misuse can make the sentence sound awkward.

• Error: Confusing with similar words, e.g., using "предсказание" when "гадание" is needed for mystical elements. Correct: "Гадание по звёздам" instead of "Предсказание по звёздам." Explanation: Предсказание is more about straightforward prediction, while гадание implies ritual, so context is key to avoid dilution of meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like гадание and примета are deeply rooted in Slavic folklore and pagan traditions. For instance, примета often relates to superstitions such as not whistling indoors (believed to bring bad luck), reflecting a historical blend of pre-Christian beliefs and Orthodoxy. This adds a layer of cultural depth to augury, making it more than just a sign—it's a window into Russia's mystical heritage.

Related Concepts:

• волшебство (magic)
• суеверие (superstition)
• пророк (prophet)