Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'commandment'

English Word: commandment

Key Russian Translations:

• заповедь [zɐˈpo.vʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, Religious context]

Frequency: Medium (Common in religious, philosophical, or formal discussions, but not in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and religious vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

заповедь: [zɐˈpo.vʲɪtʲ]

Note on заповедь: The stress falls on the second syllable ("po"). Pay attention to the palatalized 'vʲ' sound, which is common in Russian but may be challenging for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation can occur based on regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A divine or moral command (e.g., as in religious texts like the Ten Commandments)

Translation(s) & Context:

• заповедь - Used in formal or religious contexts to refer to a divine injunction or moral rule, often in discussions of ethics or scripture.

Usage Examples:

• Десять заповедей являются основой христианского учения.

  The Ten Commandments are the foundation of Christian teaching.

• Каждый должен следовать заповедям своей веры.

  Everyone should follow the commandments of their faith.

• В Библии описаны основные заповеди, данные Моисею.

  The Bible describes the main commandments given to Moses.

• Заповедь "не убий" остается актуальной и сегодня.

  The commandment "Thou shalt not kill" remains relevant today.

• Родители часто учат детей жить по заповедям морали.

  Parents often teach children to live by moral commandments.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Заповедь" is a feminine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows standard patterns for feminine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariable in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • предписание (predpisaniye) - More general term for a prescription or directive, often in legal contexts; differs from заповедь by lacking religious connotation.
  • повеление (povel'yeniye) - Implies a command or order, but can be used in secular settings.
• Antonyms:
  • запрет (zapret) - Prohibition or ban.
  • разрешение (razresheniye) - Permission or allowance.

Related Phrases:

• Десять заповедей - The Ten Commandments; a foundational phrase in Christian and Jewish contexts, referring to the biblical laws.
• Золотое правило - The Golden Rule; often paired with commandments in moral discussions, meaning a principle of treating others as one wants to be treated.
• Моральные заповеди - Moral commandments; used to discuss ethical guidelines in philosophy or education.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "заповедь" directly corresponds to "commandment" in religious or moral senses, but it's most commonly used in contexts related to Christianity or the Bible. Unlike in English, where "commandment" can be more secular, Russian usage is heavily tied to spiritual or ethical frameworks. When choosing between translations, opt for "заповедь" in formal or religious writing; for everyday commands, consider "приказ" or "указание." Be mindful of declensions when using it in sentences, as Russian requires case agreement.

• It's often paired with adjectives like "святая" (holy) to emphasize its divine nature.
• In informal speech, Russians might use synonyms to avoid overly formal language.

Common Errors:

English learners often mistake "заповедь" for a verb or confuse its declensions. For example, they might incorrectly use "заповедь" in the genitive case as "заповед" instead of "заповеди." A common error is translating it directly without context, leading to phrases like "Мой заповедь" (incorrect; should be "Моя заповедь" if possessive, but better as "Моя заповедь" with proper context). Correct usage: "Эта заповедь важна" (This commandment is important). Always remember to decline the noun based on its role in the sentence to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "заповедь" is deeply rooted in Orthodox Christianity, where the Ten Commandments (Десять заповедей) play a central role in religious education and moral teaching. This reflects the historical influence of the Russian Orthodox Church, and the term often carries a sense of divine authority and timeless wisdom, influencing literature, art, and daily ethics in ways that parallel Western traditions but with a distinctly Slavic flavor.

Related Concepts:

• грех (greh) - Sin
• молитва (molitva) - Prayer
• вера (vera) - Faith