Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'blasphemy'

English Word: blasphemy

Key Russian Translations:

• богохульство [bəgɐˈxulʲstvə] - [Formal, used in religious or legal contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word is rarely used in everyday conversation and is more common in theological, legal, or historical discussions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of religious concepts and basic Russian noun declensions, making it challenging for beginners but manageable for those with intermediate proficiency.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

богохульство: [bəgɐˈxulʲstvə]

Note on богохульство: The stress falls on the third syllable ("xulʲ"), and the "х" sound is a voiceless velar fricative, which may be difficult for English speakers to pronounce accurately—similar to the "ch" in Scottish "loch".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The act of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things

Translation(s) & Context:

• богохульство - Used in formal contexts such as religious debates, legal proceedings, or discussions about blasphemy laws in Russia.

Usage Examples:

• Он был обвинен в богохульстве во время проповеди.

  He was accused of blasphemy during the sermon.

• В некоторых странах богохульство карается законом.

  In some countries, blasphemy is punishable by law.

• Ее книга была запрещена за элементы богохульства.

  Her book was banned for elements of blasphemy.

• Богохульство часто рассматривается как оскорбление религиозных чувств.

  Blasphemy is often viewed as an insult to religious feelings.

• В исторических текстах богохульство описывается как серьезный грех.

  In historical texts, blasphemy is described as a serious sin.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

богохульство is a neuter noun in Russian, which means it follows the standard declension patterns for third-declension neuter nouns. It is not irregular but does change based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This noun does not have gender variations beyond its neuter form, and it remains unchanged in the nominative singular form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • хула (khula) - A more archaic term, often used in biblical contexts with a similar meaning of irreverent speech.
  • кощунство (koshchunstvo) - Implies mockery or profanation, slightly broader in scope.
• Antonyms:
  • благочестие (blagochestie) - Piety or devoutness, representing the opposite religious reverence.
  • верность (vernosc') - Faithfulness, especially in a religious sense.

Related Phrases:

• совершить богохульство - To commit blasphemy; often used in legal or moral discussions to describe an act of irreverence.
• обвинить в богохульстве - To accuse of blasphemy; common in contexts involving religious offenses.
• богохульные высказывания - Blasphemous statements; refers to spoken or written expressions that are sacrilegious.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "богохульство" directly corresponds to the English "blasphemy" in formal and religious contexts, but it carries a strong connotation of legal or moral offense, especially in countries like Russia where laws protect religious sentiments. It is typically used in written or formal speech rather than casual conversation. When choosing between synonyms like "кощунство," opt for "богохульство" if the context specifically involves God or sacred entities. Grammatically, always ensure proper declension based on the sentence structure, such as using the genitive case after prepositions like "из-за" (because of).

• Avoid using it in everyday informal settings, as it may come across as overly dramatic or inappropriate.
• In translations, match the tone: if the English "blasphemy" is metaphorical, "богохульство" can be used, but verify cultural sensitivity.

Common Errors:

One common mistake for English learners is confusing "богохульство" with "кощунство," thinking they are interchangeable. For example, a learner might incorrectly say: "Он совершил кощунство в церкви" when meaning blasphemy, but "кощунство" implies more general mockery. The correct usage is: "Он совершил богохульство в церкви," as it specifically targets religious irreverence. Another error is improper declension, such as using the nominative form in all cases: e.g., wrong: "Я боюсь богохульство" (I fear blasphemy) vs. correct: "Я боюсь богохульства" (genitive case after "боюсь").

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, "богохульство" is tied to the Russian Orthodox Church's influence, with modern laws (e.g., in the Russian Federation) criminalizing acts that insult religious feelings. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on protecting religious traditions, stemming from centuries of state-church relations, which can make the term more sensitive than its English counterpart.

Related Concepts:

• ересь (heresy)
• святотатство (sacrilege)
• неверность (unfaithfulness)