Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fortitude'

English Word: fortitude

Key Russian Translations:

• стойкость [stɐˈjɪkəsʲtʲ] - [Formal]
• мужество [muˈʐɛstvə] - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literary, philosophical, and everyday contexts discussing resilience, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and noun declensions, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of Russian grammar).

Pronunciation (Russian):

стойкость: [stɐˈjɪkəsʲtʲ]

мужество: [muˈʐɛstvə]

Note on стойкость: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'т' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Note on мужество: Pronounce the 'ж' as a voiced fricative, similar to 'zh' in 'measure'; the ending 'о' is reduced in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Courage in facing pain, danger, or adversity

Translation(s) & Context:

• стойкость - Used in contexts emphasizing endurance and resilience, such as in personal challenges or historical events (e.g., in formal writing or speeches).
• мужество - Applied when highlighting bravery and moral strength, often in heroic or ethical scenarios (e.g., in literature or discussions of character).

Usage Examples:

• Его стойкость в борьбе с болезнью вдохновляла всех вокруг. (His fortitude in fighting the illness inspired everyone around.)

  English Translation: His fortitude in fighting the illness inspired everyone around.

• Мужество солдата проявилось в самых трудных моментах войны. (The soldier's fortitude was evident in the most difficult moments of the war.)

  English Translation: The soldier's fortitude was evident in the most difficult moments of the war.

• Без стойкости невозможно преодолеть жизненные препятствия. (Without fortitude, it's impossible to overcome life's obstacles.)

  English Translation: Without fortitude, it's impossible to overcome life's obstacles.

• Её мужество в защите прав других заслужило уважение. (Her fortitude in defending others' rights earned respect.)

  English Translation: Her fortitude in defending others' rights earned respect.

• Стойкость характера помогает пережить даже самые тяжелые потери. (Fortitude of character helps one survive even the most severe losses.)

  English Translation: Fortitude of character helps one survive even the most severe losses.

Meaning 2: Mental strength or firmness of mind

Translation(s) & Context:

• стойкость - In psychological or self-improvement contexts, focusing on mental endurance (e.g., in motivational talks).
• мужество - When implying inner resolve, often in moral or philosophical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Стойкость ума необходима для успешной карьеры. (Fortitude of mind is necessary for a successful career.)

  English Translation: Fortitude of mind is necessary for a successful career.

• Его мужество в принятии решений под давлением было exemplary. (His fortitude in making decisions under pressure was exemplary.)

  English Translation: His fortitude in making decisions under pressure was exemplary.

• Развивая стойкость, мы становимся сильнее перед жизненными вызовами. (By developing fortitude, we become stronger against life's challenges.)

  English Translation: By developing fortitude, we become stronger against life's challenges.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns and follow standard Russian inflection patterns. Below are the declension tables for each.

For стойкость (feminine noun, 3rd declension):

For мужество (neuter noun, 2nd declension):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: упорство (uporstvo) - more about persistence; сила воли (sila voli) - emphasizes willpower, often in self-discipline contexts.
• Antonyms: слабость (slabost') - weakness, contrasting with physical or mental endurance.

Related Phrases:

• Проявить стойкость - To show fortitude; used in situations requiring resilience, e.g., in overcoming obstacles.
• Силы мужества - Forces of fortitude; refers to inner strengths in motivational or literary contexts.
• В духе стойкости - In the spirit of fortitude; a phrase for encouraging perseverance in challenges.

Usage Notes:

Fortitude translates most accurately to "стойкость" when focusing on endurance against adversity, while "мужество" is better for contexts involving bravery or moral courage. Choose based on the nuance: "стойкость" is more neutral and everyday, whereas "мужество" carries a heroic connotation. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical gender—use appropriate adjectives and verbs accordingly. In formal writing, pair with verbs like "проявить" (to show) for dynamic usage.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "стойкость" with "терпение" (patience), leading to incorrect usage in contexts of bravery. Incorrect: "Его терпение в бою" (His patience in battle). Correct: "Его стойкость в бою" (His fortitude in battle). Explanation: "Терпение" implies passive waiting, not active courage.
• Error: Forgetting declensions, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Incorrect: "Я восхищаюсь стойкость" (I admire fortitude). Correct: "Я восхищаюсь стойкостью" (I admire fortitude). Explanation: The genitive case is needed after verbs like "восхищаться".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "стойкость" and "мужество" are deeply tied to historical resilience, such as during World War II or in literature by authors like Tolstoy, where fortitude symbolizes national endurance and moral integrity. This reflects the cultural value placed on perseverance in the face of hardship.

Related Concepts:

• терпение (terpenie)
• смелость (smelost')
• выносливость (vynoslivost')