Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Delusion'

English Word: delusion

Key Russian Translations:

• заблуждение [zəblʊˈʐdʲenʲɪjə] - [Neutral, Commonly Used]
• иллюзия [ɪˈlʲuzʲɪjə] - [Neutral, Often Figurative]
• бред [brʲet] - [Informal, Strong or Medical Context]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in both formal and informal contexts)

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

Pronunciation (Russian):

заблуждение: [zəblʊˈʐdʲenʲɪjə]

Note on заблуждение: Stress falls on the third syllable; the 'ж' sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, unique to Russian.

иллюзия: [ɪˈlʲuzʲɪjə]

Note on иллюзия: Stress on the second syllable; note the soft 'л' sound.

бред: [brʲet]

Note on бред: A short, sharp word; stress on the single syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A False Belief or Misconception

Translation(s) & Context:

• заблуждение - Most common translation for a mistaken belief or error in thinking, used in neutral or formal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он живёт в заблуждении, что всё будет хорошо без усилий.

  He lives under the delusion that everything will be fine without effort.

• Это распространённое заблуждение среди новичков.

  This is a common delusion among beginners.

• Его заблуждения привели к серьёзным ошибкам.

  His delusions led to serious mistakes.

2. An Illusion or False Hope

Translation(s) & Context:

• иллюзия - Used for a false appearance or deceptive impression, often with a figurative tone.

Usage Examples:

• У неё иллюзия, что она может всё контролировать.

  She has the delusion that she can control everything.

• Это всего лишь иллюзия счастья, а не реальность.

  This is merely a delusion of happiness, not reality.

3. A Strong or Irrational Belief (Often Negative or Medical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бред - Refers to delusional thinking, often in a medical (e.g., delirium) or strongly negative context.

Usage Examples:

• Его слова — полный бред, не верь ему.

  His words are complete delusion, don’t believe him.

• В горячке он начал нести бред.

  In his fever, he started talking delusions.

• Это не идея, а какой-то бред.

  This isn’t an idea, it’s some kind of delusion.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

заблуждение (neuter noun): Follows the standard neuter noun declension in Russian.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	заблуждение	заблуждения
Genitive	заблуждения	заблуждений
Dative	заблуждению	заблуждениям
Accusative	заблуждение	заблуждения
Instrumental	заблуждением	заблуждениями
Prepositional	о заблуждении	о заблуждениях

иллюзия (feminine noun): Follows the standard feminine noun declension with a soft stem.

бред (masculine noun): Follows the standard masculine noun declension, no plural form in common usage for the sense of "delusion."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for заблуждение:

• ошибка (mistake)
• заблуждение (misconception)

Note: "ошибка" is more general and often refers to a mistake, while "заблуждение" implies a deeper or persistent false belief.

Antonyms for заблуждение:

• истина (truth)
• реальность (reality)

Related Phrases:

• жить в заблуждении - to live in delusion (to hold a false belief about reality)
• иллюзия свободы - illusion of freedom (a deceptive sense of being free)
• нести бред - to talk nonsense or delirium (often in illness or irrationality)

Usage Notes:

• "заблуждение" is the safest and most neutral choice for translating "delusion" as a false belief or misconception. It fits most general contexts.
• "иллюзия" often carries a figurative tone, suggesting something deceptive or imaginary, like an "illusion of success."
• "бред" is stronger and often negative, used for irrational or nonsensical ideas, or in medical contexts for delirium. Avoid it in formal writing unless the tone matches.
• Be mindful of context when choosing between these translations, as they are not always interchangeable.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "бред" in formal contexts to mean a simple misconception. Wrong: "Это бред думать так о проекте." Correct: "Это заблуждение думать так о проекте." (Explanation: "бред" is too strong and informal for a neutral discussion.)
• Error: Confusing "иллюзия" with physical illusions (e.g., optical illusions). "иллюзия" is better for abstract or emotional delusions. For physical illusions, use "мираж" or specify context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "заблуждение" often appears in philosophical or moral discussions, reflecting a historical emphasis on truth and clarity in thought, especially in literature (e.g., works of Dostoevsky or Tolstoy). "бред" may carry a stigma when used in medical contexts, as mental health topics have historically been sensitive.

Related Concepts:

• ошибка (mistake)
• мираж (mirage)
• галлюцинация (hallucination)