Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Conscience'

English Word: Conscience

Key Russian Translations:

• совесть [ˈsovʲɪsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Neutral]
• чувство долга [ˈtʃustvə ˈdolɡə] - [Formal, Often used in moral or duty contexts]

Frequency: High (especially "совесть")

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "совесть"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "чувство долга"

Pronunciation (Russian):

совесть: [ˈsovʲɪsʲtʲ]

Note on совесть: The stress is on the first syllable, and the "е" is pronounced as a soft "ye" sound.

чувство долга: [ˈtʃustvə ˈdolɡə]

Note on чувство долга: Stress falls on the first syllable of each word; "чувство" has a soft "ч" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Moral Sense or Inner Voice

Translation(s) & Context:

• совесть - Used to refer to one's moral compass or sense of right and wrong, often in personal or ethical dilemmas.

Usage Examples:

• У меня совесть чиста.

  My conscience is clear.

• Его совесть не позволяет ему лгать.

  His conscience does not allow him to lie.

• Совесть мучает меня за этот поступок.

  My conscience torments me for this action.

2. Sense of Duty or Obligation

Translation(s) & Context:

• чувство долга - Refers to a sense of moral duty or obligation, often in formal or societal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он действовал из чувства долга.

  He acted out of a sense of duty.

• Чувство долга заставило её остаться.

  A sense of duty compelled her to stay.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

совесть (feminine noun, 3rd declension):

Note: "совесть" has no plural form as it is an abstract concept.

чувство долга (compound phrase): "чувство" (neuter noun) and "долга" (genitive of "долг", masculine noun) follow their respective declension patterns. Commonly used as a fixed expression.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for совесть:

• мораль
• нравственность

Note: "мораль" often refers to morality in a broader sense, while "нравственность" emphasizes ethical principles.

Antonyms for совесть:

• бессовестность
• безнравственность

Related Phrases:

• чистая совесть - A clear conscience; used to express innocence or lack of guilt.
• совесть не чиста - A guilty conscience; implies someone feels remorse or guilt.
• чувство долга перед родиной - Sense of duty to the homeland; often used in patriotic contexts.

Usage Notes:

• "совесть" is the primary and most common translation for "conscience," directly referring to the inner moral sense. It is widely used in both spoken and written Russian.
• "чувство долга" is more specific and formal, often tied to obligations or responsibilities rather than personal morality. It is less common in casual conversation.
• Be mindful of the context: using "чувство долга" in a personal moral dilemma might sound overly formal or misplaced.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "чувство долга" interchangeably with "совесть."
  Incorrect: У меня чувство долга чисто. (Intended: My conscience is clear.)
  Correct: У меня совесть чиста.
  Explanation: "чувство долга" refers to duty, not the personal sense of guilt or morality conveyed by "совесть."
• Error: Misplacing stress in "совесть," pronouncing it as [sovˈʲestʲ] instead of [ˈsovʲɪsʲtʲ].
  Explanation: Incorrect stress can make the word sound unnatural or unclear to native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "совесть" is deeply rooted in literature and philosophy, often explored in works by authors like Dostoevsky. It carries a heavy emotional and moral weight, reflecting the idea of personal accountability and inner struggle. The term is frequently invoked in discussions of ethics and personal integrity.

Related Concepts:

• мораль
• честь
• достоинство