Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fanaticism'

English Word: fanaticism

Key Russian Translations:

• фанатизм /fɐˈnatʲɪzm/ - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in discussions of ideology, politics, and religion in Russian media and literature)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and formal vocabulary, suitable for upper-intermediate learners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

фанатизм: /fɐˈnatʲɪzm/

Note on фанатизм: The stress is on the second syllable ("na"). Pay attention to the palatalized 't' sound, which is a common feature in Russian and may be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Extreme and uncritical enthusiasm or zeal, often for an irrational idea or belief.

Translation(s) & Context:

• фанатизм - Used in formal contexts like political debates or academic discussions to describe obsessive dedication, e.g., in religious or ideological settings.

Usage Examples:

• Его фанатизм по отношению к политике часто приводил к конфликтам. (His fanaticism towards politics often led to conflicts.)

  English Translation: His fanaticism towards politics often led to conflicts.

• Фанатизм религиозных групп может быть опасным для общества. (The fanaticism of religious groups can be dangerous for society.)

  English Translation: The fanaticism of religious groups can be dangerous for society.

• В её глазах виднелся фанатизм, который пугал окружающих. (In her eyes, there was a fanaticism that frightened those around her.)

  English Translation: In her eyes, there was a fanaticism that frightened those around her.

• Фанатизм в спорте иногда переходит в агрессию. (Fanaticism in sports sometimes turns into aggression.)

  English Translation: Fanaticism in sports sometimes turns into aggression.

• Исторический фанатизм может искажать факты для достижения целей. (Historical fanaticism can distort facts to achieve goals.)

  English Translation: Historical fanaticism can distort facts to achieve goals.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

фанатизм is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows standard noun inflections for case, number, and gender. As a borrowed word, it has regular patterns but no irregularities.

Note: The plural form is less common and used when referring to multiple instances of fanaticism.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ревность (revnost') - Often implies passionate zeal, but with a more positive connotation in some contexts.
  • экстремизм (ekstremizm) - Used for more radical forms, especially in political contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • умеренность (umerennost') - Moderation or restraint.
  • толерантность (tolerantnost') - Tolerance, emphasizing openness rather than extremism.

Related Phrases:

• религиозный фанатизм (religious fanaticism) - Refers to extreme devotion in religious matters, often leading to conflict.
• политический фанатизм (political fanaticism) - Describes unwavering loyalty to a political ideology, with potential for irrational behavior.
• фанатизм идей (fanaticism of ideas) - Used in philosophical discussions to denote blind adherence to concepts.

Usage Notes:

фанатизм directly corresponds to "fanaticism" in English, emphasizing irrational or excessive enthusiasm. It is typically used in formal or written contexts, such as essays, news articles, or debates, rather than everyday conversation. Be cautious with its negative connotations; in Russian, it often implies danger or extremism. When choosing between synonyms like ревность, opt for фанатизм if the context involves criticism. Grammatically, it functions as a masculine noun and requires appropriate case agreement with adjectives or verbs.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing фанатизм with ревность and using it in positive contexts. For example, an English speaker might say "Его ревность к работе – это фанатизм" (His zeal for work is fanaticism), implying negativity where ревность alone might suffice.

  Correct Usage: Use фанатизм only for extreme, potentially harmful dedication, e.g., "Его фанатизм к работе вреден для здоровья" (His fanaticism towards work is harmful to health).

  Explanation: ревность can be neutral or positive, while фанатизм is almost always pejorative in Russian.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, such as using the wrong case. For instance, saying "Я боюсь фанатизм" instead of "Я боюсь фанатизма" (I fear fanaticism) in the genitive case after "боюсь".

  Correct Usage: Ensure proper case: "Я боюсь фанатизма".

  Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change based on their role in the sentence, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, фанатизм is often associated with historical events like the Soviet era's ideological extremism or contemporary issues with religious fundamentalism. It carries a strong negative undertone, reflecting Russia's complex history with political purges and revolutionary zeal, which can make discussions of the term sensitive in social contexts.

Related Concepts:

• экстремизм (ekstremizm)
• идеализм (idealizm)
• радикализм (radicalizm)