Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'generosity'

English Word: generosity

Key Russian Translations:

• щедрость [ʂɕɪd.rəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, speeches, and everyday discussions about character traits, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and abstract concepts, per CEFR standards).

Pronunciation (Russian):

щедрость: [ʂɕɪd.rəsʲtʲ]

Note on щедрость: The initial "щ" sound is a voiceless alveolo-palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the "sh" in "she" but more palatalized. Pronounce it with a soft, hissing quality.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The quality of being generous, involving willingness to give or share.

Translation(s) & Context:

• щедрость - Used in formal or reflective contexts, such as describing someone's character in literature, philosophy, or daily conversations about virtues.

Usage Examples:

• Его щедрость не знает границ; он всегда помогает нуждающимся.

  His generosity knows no bounds; he always helps those in need.

• Щедрость этой семьи проявляется в их ежегодных пожертвованиях.

  The generosity of this family is shown through their annual donations.

• В русской культуре щедрость часто ассоциируется с гостеприимством во время праздников.

  In Russian culture, generosity is often associated with hospitality during holidays.

• Её щедрость в словах и делах вдохновляет окружающих.

  Her generosity in words and actions inspires those around her.

• Щедрость не всегда материальна; иногда это просто акт доброты.

  Generosity isn't always material; sometimes it's just an act of kindness.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Щедрость" is a feminine noun in the third declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for feminine nouns ending in -ость. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This word is invariable in terms of stress; the stress remains on the second syllable across all forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • благотворительность (blagotvoritel'nost') - More focused on charitable acts, often in organized contexts.
  • великодушие (velikodushie) - Emphasizes magnanimity, with a nuance of grandeur or nobility.
• Antonyms:
  • скупость (skupost') - Implies stinginess or reluctance to give.
  • эгоизм (egoizm) - Refers to selfishness, contrasting with the selflessness of generosity.

Related Phrases:

• Акт щедрости - An act of generosity; used to describe a specific generous deed.
• Щедрость души - Generosity of the soul; implies a deep, emotional or spiritual form of giving.
• Быть щедрым на похвалы - To be generous with praise; a common expression for freely giving compliments.

Usage Notes:

Щедрость directly corresponds to the English "generosity" as an abstract noun, often used in formal or literary contexts. It is typically paired with adjectives or in prepositional phrases to specify the type of generosity (e.g., "большая щедрость" for "great generosity"). Be mindful of its feminine gender when using in sentences, as it affects agreement with adjectives and verbs. When choosing among translations, use "щедрость" for general benevolence, but opt for "благотворительность" if the context involves organized charity. In informal speech, Russians might use it metaphorically, so it's versatile across domains.

• Avoid overusing it in casual conversations; it's more common in written or reflective language.
• Grammar note: Always decline it according to the case required by the sentence structure.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "щедрость" with "щедрый" (an adjective meaning "generous"). For example, they might incorrectly use "щедрость" as an adjective, saying "он щедрость человек" instead of "он щедрый человек" (he is a generous person). The correct usage is as a noun only. Another error is improper declension; beginners might forget to change it in genitive case, saying "без щедрость" instead of "без щедрости" (without generosity), which sounds unnatural. Always ensure proper case agreement to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, щедрость is deeply tied to traditions of hospitality and communal sharing, especially during festivals like Maslenitsa or New Year's. It reflects historical values from Slavic folklore, where generosity was seen as a virtue that fosters community bonds. However, in modern contexts, it can also highlight contrasts with economic hardships, making it a word with both positive and socially reflective connotations.

Related Concepts:

• доброта (dobrota) - Kindness
• милосердие (miloserodie) - Mercy
• благодарность (blagodarnost') - Gratitude