Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Brilliance'

English Word: Brilliance

Key Russian Translations:

• блеск [blʲesk] - [Neutral, Often used for literal brightness or figurative brilliance]
• гениальность [ɡʲenʲɪˈalʲnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Refers to intellectual brilliance or genius]
• сияние [sʲɪˈjanʲɪjə] - [Poetic/Literary, Often for radiant or glowing brilliance]

Frequency: Medium (varies by context; "блеск" is more common in everyday speech, while "гениальность" is less frequent)

Difficulty: A2-B1 for "блеск"; B2 for "гениальность" and "сияние" due to nuanced usage and formality

Pronunciation (Russian):

блеск: [blʲesk]

Note on блеск: The soft 'l' sound [lʲ] is typical in Russian; ensure the 'e' is pronounced as a short, sharp [e].

гениальность: [ɡʲenʲɪˈalʲnəsʲtʲ]

Note on гениальность: Stress falls on the fourth syllable [alʲ]; the soft consonants [ɡʲ] and [nʲ] require practice for non-native speakers.

сияние: [sʲɪˈjanʲɪjə]

Note on сияние: Stress on the second syllable [ja]; the final [jə] is a soft, fleeting sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Brightness or Shine (Literal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• блеск - Used for the shine of objects like jewelry or polished surfaces.
• сияние - Often describes radiant light, like the glow of the sun or a halo.

Usage Examples:

• Блеск бриллианта ослепил меня.

  The brilliance of the diamond dazzled me.

• Сияние утреннего солнца наполнило комнату.

  The brilliance of the morning sun filled the room.

• Её глаза сияли блеском радости.

  Her eyes shone with the brilliance of joy.

2. Intellectual or Creative Excellence (Figurative)

Translation(s) & Context:

• гениальность - Refers to exceptional talent or genius, often in academic or creative fields.
• блеск - Occasionally used metaphorically for a brilliant idea or performance.

Usage Examples:

• Его гениальность в математике поразила всех.

  His brilliance in mathematics amazed everyone.

• Этот план был настоящим блеском мысли.

  This plan was a true brilliance of thought.

• Её выступление было исполнено с блеском.

  Her performance was executed with brilliance.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

блеск (Masculine Noun): Regular noun declension in singular and plural.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	блеск	блески
Genitive	блеска	блесков
Dative	блеску	блескам
Accusative	блеск	блески
Instrumental	блеском	блесками
Prepositional	о блеске	о блесках

гениальность (Feminine Noun): Regular feminine noun declension; follows standard rules for nouns ending in -ость.

сияние (Neuter Noun): Regular neuter noun declension; follows standard rules for nouns ending in -ие.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for блеск:

• сверкание (sparkle)
• яркость (brightness)

Synonyms for гениальность:

• талантливость (talent)
• одарённость (giftedness)

Antonyms for блеск:

• тусклость (dullness)
• мрак (darkness)

Antonyms for гениальность:

• посредственность (mediocrity)
• глупость (stupidity)

Related Phrases:

• блеск в глазах - "sparkle in the eyes," often used to describe excitement or happiness.
• с блеском выполнить - "to perform with brilliance," used for outstanding execution of a task.
• сияние славы - "radiance of glory," a poetic expression for fame or recognition.

Usage Notes:

• "блеск" is the most versatile translation, applicable to both literal shine (e.g., of a diamond) and figurative brilliance (e.g., of a performance). It is the safest choice for general contexts.
• "гениальность" is strictly used for intellectual or creative brilliance and carries a formal tone. Avoid using it for physical brightness.
• "сияние" is more poetic and often appears in literary or emotional contexts. It is less common in everyday speech.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "гениальность" to describe the shine of an object.
  Incorrect: Блеск солнца - это гениальность.
  Correct: Блеск солнца - это сияние.
  Explanation: "гениальность" refers to intellectual brilliance, not physical light.
• Error: Misplacing stress in "сияние" as [ˈsʲijanʲɪjə].
  Explanation: The correct stress is on the second syllable [sʲɪˈjanʲɪjə]; incorrect stress can lead to miscommunication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "блеск" often carries a positive connotation, associated with beauty, success, or excellence. Phrases like "с блеском" (with brilliance) are commonly used to praise someone's achievement. Meanwhile, "сияние" may evoke poetic or spiritual imagery, often linked to religious or natural beauty in literature.

Related Concepts:

• яркость (brightness)
• талант (talent)
• свет (light)