Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'existence'

English Word: existence

Key Russian Translations:

• существование (/sʊʂːɛstʲvəˈvanʲɪje/) - [Formal, Singular]
• бытие (/bɨˈtʲijɛ/) - [Formal, Philosophical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in academic, philosophical, and everyday discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and noun declensions, varying slightly by translation).

Pronunciation (Russian):

существование: /sʊʂːɛstʲvəˈvanʲɪje/ (The 'щ' sound is a soft, hissing 'sh' with a following 'sh' blend; stress on the fourth syllable.)

бытие: /bɨˈtʲijɛ/ (The 'ы' vowel is a back unrounded sound; stress on the second syllable.)

Note on существование: This word has a complex consonant cluster; non-native speakers may struggle with the 'щ' sound, which is unique to Russian. Practice with minimal pairs for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The state or fact of being real or existing (abstract, philosophical sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• существование - Used in formal discussions about reality, philosophy, or science; appropriate for essays or debates.
• бытие - Often in existential or metaphysical contexts, emphasizing deeper being; common in literature and philosophy.

Usage Examples:

• В философии вопрос о существовании Бога всегда был центральным. (In philosophy, the question of God's existence has always been central.)

  Translation: In philosophy, the question of God's existence has always been central.

• Человеческое бытие полное сложностей и противоречий. (Human existence is full of complexities and contradictions.)

  Translation: Human existence is full of complexities and contradictions.

• Существование динозавров подтверждается fossilными останками. (The existence of dinosaurs is confirmed by fossil remains.)

  Translation: The existence of dinosaurs is confirmed by fossil remains.

• В повседневной жизни мы редко размышляем о собственном бытии. (In everyday life, we rarely reflect on our own existence.)

  Translation: In everyday life, we rarely reflect on our own existence.

• Ученые доказали существование темной материи через косвенные наблюдения. (Scientists have proven the existence of dark matter through indirect observations.)

  Translation: Scientists have proven the existence of dark matter through indirect observations.

2. The continuation or state of something over time (more concrete sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• существование - Applied in contexts like survival, endurance, or ongoing presence; suitable for historical or biological discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Существование древних цивилизаций зависит от их адаптации к окружающей среде. (The existence of ancient civilizations depended on their adaptation to the environment.)

  Translation: The existence of ancient civilizations depended on their adaptation to the environment.

• Для существования вида необходимы благоприятные условия. (For the existence of a species, favorable conditions are necessary.)

  Translation: For the existence of a species, favorable conditions are necessary.

• Экономическое существование страны под угрозой из-за санкций. (The economic existence of the country is under threat due to sanctions.)

  Translation: The economic existence of the country is under threat due to sanctions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are nouns and follow Russian declension patterns. "Существование" is a neuter noun in the third declension, while "бытие" is also neuter but has some irregularities. Below is a table for "существование" as an example:

For "бытие", it is less commonly inflected in plural forms and remains stable in many contexts, e.g., Genitive: бытия.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сущность (essence; more about core nature)
  • реальность (reality; emphasizes tangible presence)
  • жизнь (life; in a broader, existential sense, but with a connotation of vitality)
• Antonyms:
  • небытие (non-existence; used in philosophical contexts)
  • исчезновение (disappearance; more about ending)

Related Phrases:

• Смысл существования - Meaning of existence (A philosophical phrase exploring life's purpose.)
• Борьба за выживание - Struggle for survival (Related to the idea of continued existence in challenging conditions.)
• Вечное бытие - Eternal existence (Used in religious or metaphysical discussions.)

Usage Notes:

"Существование" directly corresponds to the abstract English "existence" and is preferred in formal or scientific contexts, while "бытие" aligns more with existential philosophy (e.g., influenced by thinkers like Heidegger). Choose based on context: use "существование" for factual statements and "бытие" for deeper, introspective discussions. Note that Russian nouns require declension, so pay attention to case agreement in sentences. For example, in prepositional phrases, it becomes "о существовании" (about existence).

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "существование" without proper declension, e.g., saying "о существование" instead of "о существовании".
  Correct: "О существовании Бога" (About the existence of God). Explanation: Russian requires the prepositional case, which changes the ending.
• Mistake: Confusing "бытие" with "существование" in everyday contexts, leading to overly formal language.
  Correct: Use "существование" for general topics; reserve "бытие" for philosophy. Explanation: This can make speech sound unnatural if mismatched.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "бытие" are heavily influenced by literary and philosophical traditions, such as those in the works of Dostoevsky or Tolstoy, where existence often intertwines with themes of suffering and redemption. This reflects a broader Slavic emphasis on introspection and the human condition.

Related Concepts:

• реальность
• сущность
• жизнь