Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'disillusion'

English Word: disillusion

Key Russian Translations:

• разочарование [rə.zə.ʧə.rəˈvanʲ.je] - [Noun, Formal, Singular]
• разочаровывать [rə.zə.ʧə.rəˈvɨ.vatʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used in everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, psychology, and personal discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of noun and verb inflections, as per CEFR standards. For 'разочарование' as a noun: B2; for 'разочаровывать' as a verb: B2 due to conjugation patterns.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

разочарование: [rə.zə.ʧə.rəˈvanʲ.je]

Note on разочарование: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ('va-'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'нʲ'. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

разочаровывать: [rə.zə.ʧə.rəˈvɨ.vatʲ]

Note on разочаровывать: The verb form includes a palatalized 'вʲ' sound, which is common in Russian imperfective verbs; practice with native audio for accurate articulation.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The state or process of freeing someone from illusions or false beliefs, often leading to disappointment.

Translation(s) & Context:

• разочарование - Used in formal or reflective contexts, such as personal growth or psychological discussions, to describe a feeling of letdown.
• разочаровывать - Applied in informal settings, like everyday conversations, to indicate the action of causing disillusionment.

Usage Examples:

• Его разочарование в политике стало очевидным после последних событий.

  His disillusionment with politics became evident after the recent events.

• Эта книга разочаровывает читателей, обещая приключения, но предлагая рутину.

  This book disillusionizes readers by promising adventures but delivering routine.

• Разочарование от неудачи мотивировало его изменить подход к работе.

  The disillusionment from failure motivated him to change his approach to work.

• Родители часто разочаровывают детей, не оправдывая их идеализированные ожидания.

  Parents often disillusionize children by not living up to their idealized expectations.

Meaning 2: A specific instance or event that causes loss of faith or idealization.

Translation(s) & Context:

• разочарование - In literary or emotional contexts, emphasizing the noun form for a singular event.

Usage Examples:

• Её разочарование в дружбе проявилось после предательства.

  Her disillusionment in friendship showed after the betrayal.

• Разочарование в мечтах иногда приводит к новым начинаниям.

  Disillusionment in dreams sometimes leads to new beginnings.

• Это разочарование стало поворотным моментом в его жизни.

  This disillusionment became a turning point in his life.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'разочарование' (a neuter noun, 2nd declension):

For 'разочаровывать' (an imperfective verb, 1st conjugation):

It follows standard verb conjugation patterns. Example in present tense:

• Я разочаровываю (I disillusionize)
• Ты разочаровываешь (You [informal] disillusionize)
• Он/Она/Оно разочаровывает (He/She/It disillusionizes)
• Мы разочаровываем (We disillusionize)
• Вы разочаровываете (You [formal/plural] disillusionize)
• Они разочаровывают (They disillusionize)

Note: This verb is irregular in some aspects due to its prefix, but generally follows common patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • недовольство (slight dissatisfaction; less intense than разочарование)
  • разуверение (more formal, implying a complete loss of faith)
• Antonyms:
  • удовлетворение (satisfaction; used in positive contexts)
  • вдохновение (inspiration; opposite in emotional tone)

Related Phrases:

• переживание разочарования - Experiencing disillusionment (used in psychological or emotional contexts).
• разочарование в жизни - Disillusionment with life (common in philosophical discussions).
• разочаровывать ожидания - To disillusion expectations (a fixed phrase for unmet hopes).

Usage Notes:

'Разочарование' directly corresponds to the noun form of 'disillusion' and is often used in formal writing or speech to convey a sense of disappointment. In contrast, 'разочаровывать' aligns with the verb form and is more dynamic, suitable for narratives. Be mindful of context: in Russian, these words carry a deeper emotional weight than in English, often implying a permanent shift in perspective. For English learners, choose 'разочарование' for static states and 'разочаровывать' for actions; avoid using them in overly casual settings where simpler words like 'расстройство' might suffice.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing the noun 'разочарование' with the verb form and using it incorrectly in sentences, e.g., "Я разочарование" (incorrect; should be "Я испытываю разочарование" for "I am disillusioned").

  Correct: Я разочаровываюсь (I am becoming disillusioned). Explanation: Russian verbs require proper conjugation; always check the aspect (imperfective for ongoing processes).

• Error: Overusing in informal speech, e.g., saying "Это разочаровывает меня" for minor issues when a lighter term is needed.

  Correct: Use "Это меня расстраивает" for everyday annoyances. Explanation: 'Разочаровывать' implies profound disappointment, so reserve it for significant contexts to avoid exaggeration.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'разочарование' often appears in literature and art, reflecting themes of existential disillusionment, as seen in works by authors like Chekhov. It embodies the Russian philosophical tradition of grappling with life's hardships, where disillusionment is viewed as a path to maturity rather than mere negativity.

Related Concepts:

• недоверие (distrust)
• апатия (apathy)
• идеализация (idealization)