Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'elation'

English Word: elation

Key Russian Translations:

• восторг [vɐˈstork] - [Formal, often used for intense, triumphant joy]
• радость [ˈradəsʲtʲ] - [Informal, for general happiness, but less intense than elation]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, emotional descriptions, and everyday conversations, but not as frequent as basic emotion words).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun inflections and emotional nuances, though the core vocabulary is accessible to learners beyond beginner level).

Pronunciation (Russian):

восторг: [vɐˈstork]

радость: [ˈradəsʲtʲ]

Note on восторг: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the "о" sound, which is a reduced vowel in unstressed positions. Pronunciation can vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A state of great joy or triumphant excitement, often following success or positive news.

Translation(s) & Context:

• восторг - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe overwhelming, ecstatic feelings, such as after a major achievement.
• радость - Applied in everyday, informal situations for general happiness, but it may not capture the intensity of elation.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: После победы в соревновании она почувствовала настоящий восторг. (Posle pobedy v sorevnovanii ona pochuvstvovala nastoyashchiy vostorg.)

  English: After winning the competition, she felt genuine elation.

• Русский: Восторг охватил толпу, когда объявили результаты. (Vostorg okhvatil tolpu, kogda obyavili rezultaty.)

  English: Elation swept through the crowd when the results were announced.

• Русский: Его радость от новости была похожа на восторг ребёнка. (Yego radost' ot novosti byla pokhozhaya na vostorg rebyonka.)

  English: His joy from the news was like the elation of a child.

• Русский: В моменты восторга люди часто забывают о проблемах. (V momenty vostorga lyudi chasto zabytayut o problemakh.)

  English: In moments of elation, people often forget about their problems.

• Русский: Радость от путешествия переросла в восторг при виде гор. (Radost' ot puteshestviya pererossla v vostorg pri vide gor.)

  English: The joy from the trip turned into elation upon seeing the mountains.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "восторг" and "радость" are masculine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard noun declension patterns. "Восторг" is an inanimate noun and inflects regularly, while "радость" also inflects but can vary slightly in poetic or archaic usage.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular inflections, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ликование [likovaniye] - More specific to celebratory joy, often in group settings.
  • восхищение [voshchishcheniye] - Implies admiration mixed with joy, slightly less intense than восторг.
• Antonyms:
  • грусть [grust'] - Sadness or melancholy.
  • разочарование [razocharovaniye] - Disappointment, the opposite of triumphant elation.

Related Phrases:

• В состоянии восторга - In a state of elation; used to describe prolonged excitement.
• Испытывать радость - To experience joy; a common phrase for everyday happiness that can lead to elation.
• Восторг от успеха - Elation from success; often in professional or personal achievement contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Восторг" is the most precise translation for "elation" in formal contexts, capturing the sense of ecstatic triumph, while "радость" is better for milder, everyday joy. English speakers should note that Russian emotions often require specific grammatical constructions, such as using the verb "чувствовать" (to feel) with these nouns. Choose "восторг" for intense scenarios and "радость" for casual ones to avoid overstatement. Be mindful of context: in Russian literature, these words carry poetic weight, so they might sound overly dramatic in spoken language.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "восторг" with "восхищение": Learners might use "восхищение" (admiration) when "восторг" is needed for pure elation. Correct: "Я в восторге" (I am elated). Incorrect: "Я в восхищении" (I am in admiration, which implies awe rather than joy).
• Misinflecting the noun: Forgetting to change cases, e.g., saying "от восторг" instead of "от восторга" in genitive. Correct: "От восторга я не мог говорить" (From elation, I couldn't speak).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "восторг" is often associated with collective emotions, such as national pride during holidays like Victory Day, reflecting a historical emphasis on communal joy amid hardships. This can make the word feel more profound than its English counterpart, evoking not just personal happiness but a shared, almost patriotic, exuberance.

Related Concepts:

• энтузиазм [entuziazm] - Enthusiasm
• эмоции [emotsii] - Emotions
• вдохновение [vdokhnovleniye] - Inspiration