Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Compassionate'

English Word: compassionate

Key Russian Translations:

• сострадательный [səstrɐˈdatʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Formal, Often used in written or serious contexts]
• милосердный [mʲɪlɐˈsʲerdnɨj] - [Formal, Often with religious or moral connotations]
• добросердечный [dəbrɐˈsʲerdʲɪtɕnɨj] - [Informal, Everyday use, Emphasizes kindness]

Frequency: Medium (used in specific emotional or moral contexts)

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

Pronunciation (Russian):

сострадательный: [səstrɐˈdatʲɪlʲnɨj]

Note on сострадательный: Stress falls on the third syllable; the "л" sound is palatalized, which might be tricky for non-native speakers.

милосердный: [mʲɪlɐˈsʲerdnɨj]

Note on милосердный: Stress on the third syllable; note the soft "с" sound due to palatalization.

добросердечный: [dəbrɐˈsʲerdʲɪtɕnɨj]

Note on добросердечный: Stress on the third syllable; the ending "чный" is common in adjectives and should be pronounced clearly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Showing sympathy and concern for others' suffering

Translation(s) & Context:

• сострадательный - Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe someone who feels deep empathy.
• милосердный - Used when emphasizing mercy or compassion, often in a moral or religious sense.

Usage Examples:

• Она была очень сострадательной к его горю.

  She was very compassionate about his grief.

• Милосердный человек всегда помогает нуждающимся.

  A compassionate person always helps those in need.

• Его сострадательный взгляд успокоил её.

  His compassionate look calmed her down.

2. Kind-hearted and gentle in nature

Translation(s) & Context:

• добросердечный - Common in everyday speech to describe someone who is naturally kind and empathetic.

Usage Examples:

• Он добросердечный человек и никогда не отказывает в помощи.

  He is a compassionate person and never refuses to help.

• Её добросердечная улыбка растопила моё сердце.

  Her compassionate smile melted my heart.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All three translations are adjectives and follow standard Russian adjective declension patterns based on gender, number, and case.

Declension for сострадательный (Masculine base form):

Note: Similar declension patterns apply to милосердный and добросердечный, with adjustments for their respective stems.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• чуткий (sensitive, empathetic)
• сочувствующий (sympathetic)
• добрый (kind)

Note on Synonyms: "чуткий" focuses more on sensitivity, while "добрый" is a broader term for kindness.

Antonyms:

• жестокий (cruel)
• бездушный (heartless)

Related Phrases:

• сострадательное сердце - compassionate heart (used to describe someone with deep empathy)
• милосердный поступок - compassionate act (often tied to acts of mercy or charity)
• добросердечная помощь - compassionate help (emphasizing kindness in assistance)

Usage Notes:

• "сострадательный" is best used in formal or emotional contexts, often related to grief or suffering.
• "милосердный" carries a stronger moral or religious tone, often associated with mercy or forgiveness.
• "добросердечный" is more casual and can be used in everyday situations to describe general kindness.
• Be mindful of adjective agreement with the noun's gender, number, and case in Russian sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "добросердечный" in formal contexts where "сострадательный" or "милосердный" would be more appropriate.
  Incorrect: Он был добросердечным к жертвам трагедии.
  Correct: Он был сострадательным к жертвам трагедии.
  Explanation: "добросердечный" can seem too casual for serious or tragic contexts.
• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement.
  Incorrect: Она была сострадательный.
  Correct: Она была сострадательная.
  Explanation: Adjectives must agree with the noun in gender; "она" (she) requires the feminine form.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, compassion (especially as conveyed by "милосердный") is often tied to Orthodox Christian values of mercy and charity. Expressing compassion verbally or through actions is highly valued, and terms like "сострадательный" may appear frequently in literature or discussions of human suffering.

Related Concepts:

• сочувствие (sympathy)
• милость (mercy)
• доброта (kindness)