Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cathedral'

English Word: Cathedral

Key Russian Translations:

• Собор [sɐˈbor] - [Formal, General Use]
• Кафедральный собор [kɐfʲɪˈdralʲnɨj sɐˈbor] - [Formal, Specific to Main Church of a Diocese]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in religious and cultural contexts)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate; "Собор" is easier, while "Кафедральный собор" may require more context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Собор: [sɐˈbor]

Note on Собор: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "o" sounds like a short "a" due to Russian vowel reduction.

Кафедральный собор: [kɐfʲɪˈdralʲnɨj sɐˈbor]

Note on Кафедральный собор: Stress on "дра" in "Кафедральный" and "бор" in "собор". The soft "л" in "дральный" may be tricky for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A Large Church, Often of Historical or Cultural Significance

Translation(s) & Context:

• Собор - General term for a large church or cathedral, used in both religious and cultural contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Собор Василия Блаженного — символ Москвы.

  St. Basil's Cathedral is a symbol of Moscow.

• Мы посетили старинный собор в Новгороде.

  We visited an ancient cathedral in Novgorod.

• Этот собор был построен в 12 веке.

  This cathedral was built in the 12th century.

2. The Principal Church of a Diocese, Seat of a Bishop

Translation(s) & Context:

• Кафедральный собор - Specifically refers to the main church of a diocese where the bishop presides.

Usage Examples:

• Кафедральный собор в этом городе — центр епархии.

  The cathedral in this city is the center of the diocese.

• Епископ служит в кафедральном соборе.

  The bishop serves in the cathedral.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Собор (Noun, Masculine, 2nd Declension):

Кафедральный собор: "Кафедральный" is an adjective agreeing with "собор" in gender, number, and case. It follows standard adjective declension rules for masculine nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for Собор:

• Храм (Temple, often used for smaller or non-cathedral churches)
• Церковь (Church, general term, less formal)

Note: "Храм" often carries a more spiritual connotation, while "Церковь" is broader and can refer to any church.

Antonyms for Собор:

• Мечеть (Mosque)
• Синагога (Synagogue)

Related Phrases:

• Собор Парижской Богоматери - Notre-Dame Cathedral (a specific famous cathedral)
• Посетить собор - To visit a cathedral (common expression)
• Кафедральный собор епархии - The cathedral of the diocese (formal context)

Usage Notes:

• "Собор" is the general and most commonly used term for "cathedral" in Russian, applicable to most large churches of historical or cultural significance.
• Use "Кафедральный собор" when specifically referring to the principal church of a diocese or the seat of a bishop. It is more formal and precise.
• Both terms are typically used in formal or neutral contexts; colloquial speech might simply use "церковь" (church) if the distinction isn’t necessary.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "церковь" interchangeably with "собор" in formal contexts.
  Explanation: "Церковь" is a broader term for any church, while "собор" implies a larger, more significant structure.
  Incorrect: Это церковь Василия Блаженного.
  Correct: Это собор Василия Блаженного.
• Error: Mispronouncing "собор" with stress on the first syllable.
  Explanation: Stress is on the second syllable [sɐˈbor]. Incorrect stress can lead to misunderstanding.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, a "собор" often holds significant historical and religious importance, frequently associated with major events or national identity. Iconic examples like St. Basil’s Cathedral (Собор Василия Блаженного) in Moscow are not just religious sites but also symbols of Russian heritage. Understanding the term "собор" often involves recognizing its role in Orthodox Christianity and Russian history.

Related Concepts:

• Храм (Temple)
• Церковь (Church)
• Монастырь (Monastery)
• Епархия (Diocese)