Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Bible'

English Word: Bible

Key Russian Translations:

• Библия [ˈbʲiblʲɪjə] - [Formal, Standard]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner to Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Библия: [ˈbʲiblʲɪjə]

Note on Библия: Stress falls on the first syllable. The 'и' sounds like 'ee' in 'see', and the 'я' is pronounced like 'ya' in 'yard'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The Holy Scripture (Religious Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Библия - Refers to the Christian holy book, used in religious or formal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Я читаю Библию каждый вечер.

  I read the Bible every evening.

• Библия — это священная книга для христиан.

  The Bible is a sacred book for Christians.

• Он цитировал отрывки из Библии на службе.

  He quoted passages from the Bible during the service.

• В нашей семье есть старая Библия, переданная от бабушки.

  Our family has an old Bible passed down from grandmother.

• Учитель рассказал нам историю из Библии.

  The teacher told us a story from the Bible.

2. A Fundamental Reference (Figurative Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Библия - Used metaphorically to describe an authoritative or essential guide or book.

Usage Examples:

• Эта книга — настоящая Библия для программистов.

  This book is a real Bible for programmers.

• Его руководство стало Библией для молодых предпринимателей.

  His guide became a Bible for young entrepreneurs.

• Для меня этот справочник — как Библия.

  For me, this handbook is like a Bible.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Библия is a feminine noun in Russian. It follows the standard declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -я.

Note: This noun is rarely used in the plural form, as it typically refers to the singular concept of the holy book.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• Священное Писание (Holy Scripture - more formal and religious)

Antonyms:

• None directly applicable (as 'Bible' is a specific concept without a direct opposite in Russian).

Related Phrases:

• Читать Библию - "To read the Bible" (literal meaning).
• Цитировать Библию - "To quote the Bible" (used in religious or rhetorical contexts).
• Библия как источник вдохновения - "The Bible as a source of inspiration" (figurative usage).

Usage Notes:

• The word "Библия" is the direct and only standard translation for "Bible" in Russian, referring to the Christian holy text.
• It can also be used metaphorically to describe any authoritative or fundamental text in a specific field (e.g., a "Bible" of cooking or programming).
• The term is always capitalized in Russian, just as in English, to denote its significance.
• In religious contexts, it is often paired with formal or respectful language.

Common Errors:

• Error: Misusing case forms, e.g., using nominative "Библия" after prepositions requiring other cases like genitive or dative. Example of error: "Я думаю о Библия" (incorrect). Correct form: "Я думаю о Библии".
• Error: Incorrect stress placement when speaking. English speakers might stress the second syllable, but the correct stress is on the first syllable: "БИ-бли-я", not "би-БЛИ-я".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the "Библия" holds significant importance, particularly within the context of the Russian Orthodox Church, which is the predominant Christian denomination in Russia. Biblical stories and references are often woven into literature, art, and everyday expressions, even among non-religious individuals. The term may also evoke historical associations with the translation of the Bible into Old Church Slavonic by Saints Cyril and Methodius, who are celebrated for their contributions to Slavic literacy and culture.

Related Concepts:

• Священное Писание (Holy Scripture)
• Евангелие (Gospel)
• Ветхий Завет (Old Testament)
• Новый Завет (New Testament)