Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Devout'

English Word: devout

Key Russian Translations:

• набожный [nɐˈboʐnɨj] - [Formal, Often used for religious devotion]
• благочестивый [bləɡəˈtɕestʲɪvɨj] - [Formal, Literary, Emphasizes piety]
• верующий [vʲɪˈrujʉɕːɪj] - [Neutral, Refers to a believer or devout person]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in religious or moral contexts)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate, varies by specific translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

набожный: [nɐˈboʐnɨj]

Note on набожный: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ж" sound is a voiced fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure'.

благочестивый: [bləɡəˈtɕestʲɪvɨj]

Note on благочестивый: Stress on the third syllable. The "че" combination is pronounced softly as [tɕe].

верующий: [vʲɪˈrujʉɕːɪj]

Note on верующий: Stress on the second syllable. The "ю" sound is like 'yu' in 'yule'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Deeply religious or pious

Translation(s) & Context:

• набожный - Often used to describe someone who is devoutly religious and actively practices their faith.
• благочестивый - More formal or literary, used to emphasize moral and spiritual purity alongside devotion.

Usage Examples:

• Она очень набожная женщина, каждый день ходит в церковь.

  She is a very devout woman; she goes to church every day.

• Его благочестивая жизнь вдохновляет окружающих.

  His pious life inspires those around him.

• Набожные люди часто ищут утешение в молитве.

  Devout people often seek comfort in prayer.

2. Sincere or dedicated (not necessarily religious)

Translation(s) & Context:

• верующий - Can refer to someone who believes deeply in something, not always religious.

Usage Examples:

• Он верующий в идеалы справедливости.

  He is a devout believer in the ideals of justice.

• Верующие в науку люди не всегда принимают религию.

  People devout in science do not always accept religion.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

набожный (Adjective): Declines according to standard Russian adjective rules based on gender, number, and case.

благочестивый (Adjective): Follows similar declension patterns as набожный.

верующий (Adjective/Noun): Can function as both. As an adjective, it declines like набожный; as a noun, it follows second declension rules for masculine nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• религиозный (religious)
• духовный (spiritual)
• праведный (righteous)

Note: "религиозный" is more neutral and descriptive, while "праведный" implies moral righteousness.

Antonyms:

• безбожный (godless)
• атеистический (atheistic)

Related Phrases:

• набожный человек - A devout person (used to describe someone deeply religious).
• жить благочестиво - To live piously (emphasizes a moral and religious lifestyle).
• верующий в Бога - A believer in God (common phrase for religious devotion).

Usage Notes:

• "набожный" is the most direct and common translation for "devout" in a religious context, often implying active participation in religious practices.
• "благочестивый" is more formal and often found in literature or historical texts, emphasizing purity and moral virtue alongside devotion.
• "верующий" can extend beyond religious devotion to describe deep belief or commitment to any cause or idea.
• Choose the translation based on context: use "набожный" for active religious devotion, "благочестивый" for a more poetic or formal tone, and "верующий" for broader belief contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "религиозный" interchangeably with "набожный". While "религиозный" means "religious," it lacks the connotation of deep personal devotion that "набожный" carries.
  Incorrect: Он религиозный человек. (He is a religious person - sounds neutral or descriptive.)
  Correct: Он набожный человек. (He is a devout person - emphasizes personal devotion.)
• Error: Misusing "верующий" in strictly religious contexts without clarification. It can imply belief in anything, so context is key.
  Incorrect: Он верующий. (Ambiguous without context - Believer in what?)
  Correct: Он верующий в Бога. (He is a believer in God.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "набожный" and "благочестивый" are often associated with Orthodox Christianity, which has deep historical roots in Russia. Using these terms can evoke imagery of traditional religious practices, such as attending church services or observing religious holidays like Easter (Пасха). Understanding this cultural context can help English speakers grasp the emotional and historical weight of these words.

Related Concepts:

• вера (faith)
• молитва (prayer)
• церковь (church)