Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ego'

English Word: ego

Key Russian Translations:

• эго [ˈɛɡə] - [Formal, Psychological term; Used in intellectual or academic contexts]
• самость [sɐˈmostʲ] - [Formal, Philosophical or psychological variant; Less common in everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (Common in psychological, literary, and academic discussions, but not in casual everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with borrowed words and psychological concepts. For "эго", it's straightforward due to its direct borrowing; for "самость", it may be slightly more challenging due to its native Russian inflection patterns)

Pronunciation (Russian):

эго: [ˈɛɡə]

самость: [sɐˈmostʲ]

Note on эго: The pronunciation is similar to the English word, but the stress is on the first syllable. Russians may soften the 'g' sound slightly in casual speech.

Note on самость: The 'c' sound is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian; practice with native speakers for accuracy.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The conscious self or personality in psychology (e.g., Freudian concept)

Translation(s) & Context:

• эго - Used in formal psychological discussions, often in translations of Western texts; Context: Academic writing or therapy sessions.
• самость - A more philosophical Russian equivalent; Context: In broader existential or self-analysis contexts, less tied to Freud.

Usage Examples:

• В психологии эго играет ключевую роль в балансе между ид и суперэго.

  In psychology, the ego plays a key role in balancing between the id and the superego.

• Его эго было слишком хрупким, чтобы выдержать критику.

  His ego was too fragile to withstand criticism.

• Самость человека формируется через опыт и социальные взаимодействия.

  A person's self (or ego) is formed through experiences and social interactions.

• В современной терапии эго рассматривается как посредник между желаниями и реальностью.

  In modern therapy, the ego is viewed as a mediator between desires and reality.

• Развитие самости требует глубокого самоанализа и рефлексии.

  The development of one's self (ego) requires deep self-analysis and reflection.

Meaning 2: A sense of self-importance or pride (informal usage)

Translation(s) & Context:

• эго - Informal or colloquial use, often with a negative connotation; Context: Everyday conversations about arrogance.
• самолюбие [sɐmɐˈlʲubʲje] - A related term for self-love or egoism; Context: Literary or emotional discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Его эго не позволяет ему признать ошибки.

  His ego doesn't allow him to admit mistakes.

• Слишком большое эго может разрушить отношения.

  Too big of an ego can destroy relationships.

• Самолюбие часто путают с настоящим эгоизмом.

  Self-love is often confused with true egoism.

• В этой культуре эго ценится, но не в ущерб другим.

  In this culture, ego is valued, but not at the expense of others.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Эго" is a neuter noun borrowed from English/German, and it typically does not inflect in modern Russian usage, remaining unchanged in most cases due to its foreign origin. However, it can occasionally follow basic patterns in compound phrases.

For "самость" (feminine noun), it follows standard Russian inflection for first-declension nouns. Below is a table of its forms:

Note: "Эго" remains invariant (e.g., эго in all cases), which makes it easier for learners but less integrated into Russian grammar.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • самолюбие (self-love; implies a positive or neutral sense of self)
  • эгоизм (egoism; often with a negative connotation, emphasizing selfishness)
  • Note: "Самолюбие" is milder and can be used in self-care contexts, while "эгоизм" is more intense and critical.
• Antonyms:
  • скромность (modesty; implies humility and lack of self-importance)
  • бескорыстие (selflessness; focuses on altruism)

Related Phrases:

• Сильное эго - A strong ego; Used to describe resilient self-confidence in challenging situations.
• Потеря эго - Loss of ego; Refers to a state of humility or ego dissolution in spiritual contexts.
• Эгоистичные мотивы - Egoistic motives; Common in discussions of personal gain over collective good.

Usage Notes:

When translating "ego" to Russian, "эго" is the most direct and accurate for psychological contexts, especially in Freudian theory, as it's a borrowed term. However, in everyday Russian, "самость" might be preferred for broader self-identity discussions to sound more native. Be mindful of context: "эго" can carry a negative connotation of arrogance, similar to English, while "самость" is more neutral. Grammatically, "эго" doesn't inflect, making it simple, but always use it in the nominative form unless in a fixed phrase. For learners, choose "эго" in formal writing and "самость" in philosophical essays for a more authentic Russian feel.

Common Errors:

• Overusing "эго" in casual speech: Learners might say "Мое эго" incorrectly in informal contexts; Correct: Use "самолюбие" for everyday pride. Error example: "Мое эго очень большое" (though grammatically okay, it sounds unnatural); Better: "У меня большое самолюбие".
• Confusing inflections: For "самость", beginners might forget case changes, e.g., saying "без самость" instead of "без самости" (genitive). Error: "Я думаю о самость" (wrong); Correct: "Я думаю о самости". Explanation: Russian requires proper case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "эго" is heavily influenced by Western psychology, particularly Freud, due to historical translations of his works. However, traditional Russian philosophy, like that of Leo Tolstoy, emphasizes "самость" in a more spiritual sense, linking it to personal growth and moral development rather than just psychological balance. This reflects Russia's blend of Eastern and Western thought, where ego is not always seen as negative but as a path to self-realization.

Related Concepts:

• ид (id)
• суперэго (superego)
• самооценка (self-esteem)