Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'egoist'

English Word: egoist

Key Russian Translations:

• эгоист [ɨˈɡojɪst] - [Neutral, Singular]
• эгоцентрист [ɨɡəʦɛnˈtrʲist] - [Formal, Often used in psychological contexts]

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

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of noun declensions and intermediate vocabulary, but accessible to learners with basic Russian grammar knowledge)

Pronunciation (Russian):

эгоист: [ɨˈɡojɪst]

эгоцентрист: [ɨɡəʦɛnˈtrʲist]

Note on эгоист: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'й' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A person who is excessively self-centered or selfish.

Translation(s) & Context:

• эгоист - Used in general contexts to describe someone prioritizing their own interests, often with a neutral or slightly negative connotation in everyday conversation.
• эгоцентрист - Applied in more formal or psychological settings, emphasizing a deeper self-focused personality trait.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда ставит свои интересы на первое место, настоящий эгоист.

  He always puts his interests first, a real egoist.

• В этой книге главный герой показан как эгоцентрист, который не замечает чужих проблем.

  In this book, the main character is portrayed as an egocentrist who doesn't notice others' problems.

• Не будь эгоистом и поделись своими игрушками с друзьями.

  Don't be an egoist and share your toys with your friends.

• Эгоисты часто страдают от одиночества, потому что не умеют строить настоящие отношения.

  Egoists often suffer from loneliness because they don't know how to build real relationships.

• Её поведение на встрече было типичным для эгоцентриста – она говорила только о себе.

  Her behavior at the meeting was typical for an egocentrist – she only talked about herself.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "эгоист" and "эгоцентрист" are masculine nouns in Russian, following standard second-declension patterns with some irregularities due to foreign origins. They decline based on case and number.

Note: These words do not change in gender but follow regular patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • эгоцентрик (Similar to эгоцентрист, but more casual; often used interchangeably in modern speech)
  • самовлюбленный (Emphasizes self-love, with a slightly stronger negative connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • альтруист (Direct opposite, meaning someone who is selfless)
  • бескорыстный (Meaning disinterested or unselfish, often in moral contexts)

Related Phrases:

• Заядлый эгоист – A hardcore or inveterate egoist; used to describe someone extremely self-centered.
• Эгоист до мозга костей – Egoist to the bone; an idiomatic expression for someone thoroughly selfish.
• Стать эгоцентристом – To become an egocentrist; often refers to developing self-centered habits over time.

Usage Notes:

"Эгоист" directly corresponds to the English "egoist" and is commonly used in neutral or mildly critical contexts, while "эгоцентрист" is more formal and linked to psychological terms. Choose "эгоист" for everyday conversations and "эгоцентрист" in academic or professional settings. Be aware of Russian's case system; for example, use the genitive form "эгоиста" after prepositions like "без" (without). This word often carries a negative tone, so it's rarely used self-referentially.

• In informal speech, it might be softened with humor, e.g., in literature or social media.
• Grammar note: Always ensure proper declension to avoid sounding unnatural.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "эгоист" with "эгоистичный" (adjectival form, meaning egotistical). For example:

• Error: Saying "Он эгоистный" instead of "Он эгоистичный" or "Он эгоист".

Correct: "Он эгоист" (He is an egoist). Explanation: "Эгоист" is a noun; use the adjective "эгоистичный" for descriptions.

• Error: Forgetting declension, e.g., using "эгоист" in the dative case as "эгоист" instead of "эгоисту".

Correct: "Я дал книгу эгоисту" (I gave the book to the egoist). Explanation: Proper case usage ensures grammatical accuracy in Russian sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "эгоист" are often discussed in the context of literature (e.g., in works by Dostoevsky, where characters exhibit extreme self-centeredness) and modern psychology. It reflects a societal value on collectivism, where individualism can be viewed negatively, especially in historical Soviet contexts.

Related Concepts:

• самолюбие (Self-love or vanity)
• альтруизм (Altruism)
• эгоизм (Egoism as a broader concept)