Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'celibate'

English Word: celibate

Key Russian Translations:

• безбрачный [bʲɪzˈbratʂnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• целибатник [tsʲɪlʲɪˈbatnʲɪk] - [Formal, Noun, Used in religious or historical contexts]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation; it appears more in formal, literary, or religious texts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it requires understanding of nuanced religious or cultural concepts; for 'безбрачный', it's B2, while 'целибатник' might be C1 for advanced learners due to its specificity.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

безбрачный: [bʲɪzˈbratʂnɨj]

Note on безбрачный: The stress falls on the second syllable ('brat'). This word has a soft 'ч' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Pronounce it with a clear palatalized 'b' at the beginning.

Audio: []

целибатник: [tsʲɪlʲɪˈbatnʲɪk]

Note on целибатник: Stress on the third syllable ('bat'). The initial 'ц' is a voiceless alveolar affricate, similar to 'ts' in "tsar," and pay attention to the palatalized consonants for a natural flow.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As an adjective: Referring to someone who abstains from marriage or sexual relations, often for religious reasons.

Translation(s) & Context:

• безбрачный - Used in formal or religious contexts to describe a lifestyle of abstinence, such as in monastic vows. Context: Often appears in discussions about spirituality or personal choices in Russian literature.

Usage Examples:

• Он выбрал безбрачную жизнь, чтобы посвятить себя духовным практикам.

  He chose a celibate life to dedicate himself to spiritual practices.

• В монастыре многие монахи ведут безбрачный образ жизни.

  In the monastery, many monks lead a celibate way of life.

• Ее безбрачный статус позволил ей сосредоточиться на карьере.

  Her celibate status allowed her to focus on her career.

• Безбрачный обет часто принимают в православной традиции.

  The celibate vow is often taken in Orthodox tradition.

• В современном обществе безбрачный выбор становится все rarerшим.

  In modern society, the choice of a celibate life is becoming rarer.

As a noun: A person who practices celibacy, often in a religious context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• целибатник - Refers specifically to someone committed to celibacy, like a monk or ascetic. Context: Common in historical or theological discussions, but less frequent in casual speech.

Usage Examples:

• Этот целибатник известен своими философскими трудами.

  This celibate is known for his philosophical works.

• В истории России многие целибатники вносили вклад в культуру.

  In Russian history, many celibates contributed to culture.

• Она стала целибатником по собственному решению, отказавшись от семейной жизни.

  She became a celibate by her own choice, rejecting family life.

• Целибатники в монастырях часто молятся за мир.

  Celibates in monasteries often pray for peace.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are adjectives or nouns with standard Russian inflections. 'Безбрачный' is an adjective and follows the typical adjectival declension pattern. 'Целибатник' is a masculine noun and inflects as a second-declension noun.

Note: These are regular inflections, so they follow standard rules without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • воздерживающийся (restrained, often in a sexual context; more general than 'безбрачный')
  • аскет (ascetic; implies a lifestyle of self-denial)
• Antonyms:
  • женатый (married; directly opposes the idea of celibacy)
  • свободный в отношениях (free in relationships; informal antonym)

Related Phrases:

• Безбрачный обет - A vow of celibacy; often used in religious ceremonies to signify a commitment to spiritual life.
• Вести безбрачную жизнь - To lead a celibate life; common in discussions about personal choices or monasticism.
• Целибат в православии - Celibacy in Orthodoxy; refers to the cultural and religious practice in the Russian Orthodox Church.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'безбрачный' is more commonly used as an adjective to describe a state of being, similar to how 'celibate' functions in English, but it carries a formal or archaic tone. Choose 'целибатник' for referring to a person, especially in historical or religious contexts. Be mindful of the context: in modern Russian, these words are rare in casual speech and may sound overly formal. When translating 'celibate', ensure the sentence structure aligns with Russian grammar, as Russian often uses more descriptive phrases. For example, avoid direct word-for-word translation; instead, adapt to idiomatic expressions like 'воздержание от брака' for broader usage.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'безбрачный' interchangeably with 'холостой' (bachelor), which only means unmarried and not necessarily abstinent. Correct: 'Безбрачный' implies a deliberate choice for celibacy, while 'холостой' is neutral. Example of error: "Он холостой монах" (incorrect for celibate context); Correct: "Он безбрачный монах".
• Mistake: Forgetting to inflect the word properly in sentences, e.g., using 'безбрачный' in the wrong case. Correct: In "Я уважаю безбрачного человека" (I respect the celibate person), ensure genitive case if needed, like "уважение к безбрачному человеку".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, particularly within the Orthodox Christian tradition, celibacy (or 'целибат') is often associated with monastic life and spiritual devotion. It stems from historical influences of the Eastern Orthodox Church, where monks and nuns take vows of celibacy to focus on prayer and asceticism. This concept contrasts with Western traditions and reflects Russia's deep religious heritage, especially in literature like Dostoevsky's works, where celibate characters symbolize moral purity or inner conflict.

Related Concepts:

• монах (monk)
• аскетизм (asceticism)
• православный обет (Orthodox vow)