Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Compassion'

English Word: Compassion

Key Russian Translations:

• Сострадание [səstrɐˈdanʲɪjə] - [Neutral, Formal/Informal]
• Жалость [ˈʒaləsʲtʲ] - [Informal, Sometimes Negative Connotation]
• Милосердие [mʲɪlɐˈsʲerdʲɪjə] - [Formal, Often Religious or Moral Context]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in emotional or moral discussions)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies slightly by term due to connotations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Сострадание: [səstrɐˈdanʲɪjə]

Note on Сострадание: Stress falls on the third syllable; the 'е' at the end is pronounced as a soft 'ye' sound.

Жалость: [ˈʒaləsʲtʲ]

Note on Жалость: The initial 'ж' is a voiced fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure'; stress is on the first syllable.

Милосердие: [mʲɪlɐˈsʲerdʲɪjə]

Note on Милосердие: Stress on the third syllable; the word has a soft, melodic tone in formal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Sympathy for another's suffering:

Translation(s) & Context:

• Сострадание - Used to express genuine empathy or shared sorrow in both formal and informal contexts.
• Жалость - Often implies pity, sometimes with a slight negative or condescending tone; more informal.

Usage Examples:

• Она посмотрела на него с искренним состраданием.

  She looked at him with genuine compassion.

• Мне жалость к бездомным животным заставляет помогать им.

  My pity for homeless animals compels me to help them.

• Его слова были полны сострадания к пострадавшим.

  His words were full of compassion for the victims.

2. Mercy or kindness in a moral/religious sense:

Translation(s) & Context:

• Милосердие - Used in formal, often religious or ethical discussions to denote mercy or benevolence.

Usage Examples:

• Церковь учит нас проявлять милосердие к ближним.

  The church teaches us to show compassion to our neighbors.

• Его милосердие спасло многих от страданий.

  His compassion saved many from suffering.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Сострадание (Noun, Neuter): Follows standard neuter noun declension in Russian.

Case	Singular
Nominative	Сострадание
Genitive	Сострадания
Dative	Состраданию
Accusative	Сострадание
Instrumental	Состраданием
Prepositional	О Сострадании

Жалость (Noun, Feminine): Follows standard feminine noun declension.

Милосердие (Noun, Neuter): Follows standard neuter noun declension, similar to Сострадание.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for Сострадание:

• Сочувствие
• Эмпатия

Note: Сочувствие is often closer to "sympathy," while Эмпатия is a borrowed term used in psychological contexts.

Antonyms for Сострадание:

• Жестокость
• Безразличие

Related Phrases:

• Проявлять сострадание - To show compassion.
• Чувство жалости - A feeling of pity.
• Акт милосердия - An act of mercy.

Usage Notes:

• While "Сострадание" is the most direct and neutral translation of "compassion," it can sound slightly formal in casual conversation.
• "Жалость" often carries a connotation of pity and can be perceived as less empathetic if used improperly.
• "Милосердие" is best reserved for contexts involving mercy or moral kindness, often tied to religious or ethical discussions.
• Choose the term based on the tone and context; for genuine empathy, "Сострадание" is usually the safest choice.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Жалость" in formal or deeply empathetic contexts. Wrong: "Я выражаю жалость к жертвам катастрофы." Correct: "Я выражаю сострадание к жертвам катастрофы." (Explanation: "Жалость" may sound dismissive or condescending here.)
• Error: Misusing "Милосердие" in everyday situations. Wrong: "Я чувствую милосердие к другу." Correct: "Я чувствую сострадание к другу." (Explanation: "Милосердие" is too formal and moralistic for personal empathy.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressing compassion (especially through "Сострадание") is often tied to a deep sense of shared suffering, reflecting historical and communal values of mutual support. "Милосердие" is frequently used in religious contexts, influenced by Orthodox Christian teachings on mercy.

Related Concepts:

• Сочувствие (Sympathy)
• Доброта (Kindness)
• Гуманность (Humanity)