Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'deification'

English Word: deification

Key Russian Translations:

• обожествление /ɐbɐʐɨstvlʲenʲɪje/ - [Formal, used in philosophical or religious contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in academic, historical, or religious texts.)

Difficulty: Advanced (C1-C2 level, suitable for learners with a strong grasp of Russian grammar and vocabulary, due to its abstract nature and inflection patterns.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

обожествление: /ɐbɐʐɨstvlʲenʲɪje/

Note on обожествление: The pronunciation includes a soft 'л' sound (palatalized), which can be challenging for non-native speakers. The stress falls on the fourth syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The act of making someone or something into a god or godlike figure, often in a religious, historical, or metaphorical sense.

Translation(s) & Context:

• обожествление - Typically used in formal contexts such as discussions of mythology, history, or philosophy, to describe the elevation of a person or concept to divine status.

Usage Examples:

• В древнем Риме императоры часто подвергались обожествлению, что укрепляло их власть.

  In ancient Rome, emperors were often subjected to deification, which strengthened their power.

• Современные знаменитости иногда испытывают обожествление со стороны фанатов, но это редко бывает искренним.

  Modern celebrities sometimes experience deification from fans, but it's rarely genuine.

• Обожествление природы в славянской мифологии отражает древние верования в духов и богов.

  Deification of nature in Slavic mythology reflects ancient beliefs in spirits and gods.

• В философских текстах обожествление человека критикуется как форма идеализации.

  In philosophical texts, deification of humans is criticized as a form of idealization.

• Обожествление политических лидеров в тоталитарных режимах часто приводит к культу личности.

  Deification of political leaders in totalitarian regimes often leads to a cult of personality.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Обожествление" is a neuter noun of the third declension in Russian. It follows standard neuter noun patterns with regular inflections for cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward once basic declension rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: идеализация (idealization, but with a more positive connotation), возвеличение (exaltation, emphasizing elevation)
• Antonyms: демонизация (demonization, the opposite process of portraying something as evil)

Related Phrases:

• Культ личности - Refers to the deification of a leader, often in a political context, leading to excessive admiration.
• Обожествление идолов - The deification of idols, commonly used in discussions of religion or superstition.
• Мифическое обожествление - Mythical deification, referring to the process in ancient myths.

Usage Notes:

This word corresponds closely to the English "deification" in terms of meaning, but it is more commonly used in formal, academic, or historical contexts in Russian. Be mindful of its neuter gender and third declension, which requires correct case endings in sentences. For instance, choose "обожествление" when discussing abstract concepts, but avoid it in casual conversations as it may sound overly literary. If multiple translations are available, "обожествление" is preferred for precise historical or philosophical usage over simpler synonyms like "возвеличение" for a more everyday tone.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "обожествление" with "обожание" (adoration or worship), which is a common mistake. Incorrect: "Я испытываю обожание к лидеру" (meaning adoration, not deification). Correct: "Я изучаю обожествление в истории" (to discuss the process of deification). This error stems from similar roots, so focus on context—use "обожествление" for the act of making divine, not just loving something.
• Another error is improper inflection, such as using the nominative form in all cases. Incorrect: "О культе обожествление" (should be genitive: "обожествления"). Always check the case based on sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "обожествление" is deeply tied to historical and religious contexts, such as the deification of tsars in imperial Russia or saints in Orthodox Christianity. It reflects a broader tradition of elevating figures to divine status, which can be seen in literature like Pushkin's works or in modern critiques of personality cults during the Soviet era, helping users understand its nuanced, often critical connotations in contemporary discussions.

Related Concepts:

• иконопочитание (veneration of icons)
• канонизация (canonization)
• мифология (mythology)