Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'exorcism'

English Word: exorcism

Key Russian Translations:

• Экзорцизм /ɛk.zorˈt͡sɪ.zɪm/ - [Formal, Religious Context]

Frequency: Low (This term is rarely used in everyday conversation, primarily in religious, literary, or academic contexts.)

Difficulty: Advanced (C1 level; requires familiarity with specialized religious vocabulary and Russian loanwords from Latin/Greek.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Экзорцизм: /ɛk.zorˈt͡sɪ.zɪm/

Note on Экзорцизм: The stress falls on the third syllable ("t͡sɪ"). Be cautious with the "з" sound, which is a voiced "z" similar to English "z" in "zebra", but it can vary slightly in fast speech. This is a loanword, so pronunciation is relatively straightforward for advanced learners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: The act of expelling evil spirits from a person or place, often through religious ritual.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Экзорцизм - Used in formal religious or supernatural contexts, such as in Orthodox Christianity or horror literature, to describe a ceremonial expulsion of demons.

Usage Examples:

• Церковь проводит экзорцизм для изгнания демонов из одержимого человека.

  The church performs an exorcism to expel demons from a possessed person.

• В фильме показан ритуал экзорцизма, где священник читает молитвы.

  In the movie, the exorcism ritual is shown, where the priest recites prayers.

• Экзорцизм считается древней традицией в некоторых христианских деноминациях.

  Exorcism is considered an ancient tradition in some Christian denominations.

• Современные экзорцизмы часто сочетают молитву с психологической помощью.

  Modern exorcisms often combine prayer with psychological assistance.

• В русской литературе экзорцизм используется как метафора борьбы со злом.

  In Russian literature, exorcism is used as a metaphor for the struggle against evil.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Экзорцизм is a masculine noun (мужской род) borrowed from Latin/Greek via English. It follows the standard patterns for third-declension nouns in Russian, but as a modern loanword, it has limited inflection and is often used in its base form. Below is a table of its basic declensions:

Note: This word is not commonly inflected in everyday speech due to its specialized nature. It remains unchanged in most contexts, especially in singular form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Изгнание бесов (Izgnaniye besov) - More descriptive, emphasizing the expulsion of demons; used in religious texts.
  • Ритуал очищения (Rituál ochishcheniya) - A broader term for purification rituals, with subtle differences in connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • Призывание духов (Prizvaniye dukhov) - Summoning of spirits, opposite in intent as it invites rather than expels.

Related Phrases:

• Ритуал экзорцизма (Rituál ekzortsisizma) - The ritual of exorcism; refers to the ceremonial procedure in religious contexts.
• Изгнание демонов (Izgnaniye demonov) - Expulsion of demons; a common phrase in folklore or horror stories, implying a similar action.
• Священный экзорцизм (Svyashchennyy ekzortsisizm) - Sacred exorcism; used to denote a blessed or holy version of the ritual.

Usage Notes:

This translation corresponds directly to the English "exorcism" in religious and supernatural contexts, particularly within Russian Orthodox traditions. Use "экзорцизм" in formal or written settings, as it is a loanword and may sound academic. Be mindful of cultural sensitivities; in everyday Russian, people might prefer euphemisms like "ритуал очищения" to avoid direct references to demons. When choosing between translations, opt for "экзорцизм" for precision in theological discussions, but ensure the context is appropriate, as it carries strong connotations of Christianity.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "экзорцизм" with "экзорцист" (the person performing it). Incorrect: "Я видел экзорцизм в фильме" (meaning the exorcist, not the act). Correct: "Я видел ритуал экзорцизма в фильме." Explanation: "Экзорцизм" is the noun for the act, while "экзорцист" refers to the practitioner.

• Mispronouncing or over-inflecting the word, e.g., using it as a verb. Incorrect: "Он экзорцизмит демонов" (non-standard verb form). Correct: "Он проводит экзорцизм." Explanation: Stick to nominal forms; Russian doesn't commonly verbify this loanword.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "экзорцизм" is deeply tied to Orthodox Christianity and folklore, often depicted in literature like Dostoevsky's works or modern media. It reflects historical beliefs in demonic possession, influenced by Byzantine traditions, and is sometimes viewed with skepticism in secular society today, symbolizing the clash between faith and modernity.

Related Concepts:

• Демонология (Demonologiya)
• Священник (Svashchennik)
• Одержимость (Oderzhimost')