Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'genius'

English Word: genius

Key Russian Translations:

• гений /ˈɡʲenʲij/ - [Formal; used for exceptional intellectual or creative talent]
• талант /tɐˈlant/ - [Informal; broader sense, often implying natural ability rather than extreme genius]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary, educational, and everyday discussions about exceptional individuals, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and context-specific usage; for "гений", it's B2, while "талант" might be B1 due to its versatility).

Pronunciation (Russian):

гений: /ˈɡʲenʲij/ (The "г" is a voiced velar fricative, similar to the "g" in "go", but palatalized; stress on the first syllable.)

талант: /tɐˈlant/ (The "т" is unaspirated; stress on the second syllable.)

Note on гений: Be cautious with the palatalized "нʲ", which can be tricky for English speakers; it sounds softer, almost like blending "n" and "y".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A person with exceptional intellectual or creative ability.

Translation(s) & Context:

• гений - Used in formal or literary contexts, such as discussing historical figures or scientific breakthroughs.
• талант - Applied in everyday conversations, emphasizing innate skills without the extreme connotation of "genius".

Usage Examples:

• Этот учёный был настоящим гением в области физики.

  This scientist was a true genius in the field of physics.

• Её талант в музыке проявился с раннего детства.

  Her talent in music showed from an early age. (Here, "талант" is used for a more general ability, contrasting with the full "genius" implied by "гений".)

• Гений Леонардо да Винчи повлиял на многие области искусства и науки.

  The genius of Leonardo da Vinci influenced many areas of art and science.

• Молодой пианист обладает огромным талантом, но ещё не стал гением.

  The young pianist has immense talent but hasn't become a genius yet. (This example shows the distinction between the two translations.)

• В истории литературы гений Пушкина остаётся непревзойдённым.

  In the history of literature, Pushkin's genius remains unparalleled.

2. Exceptional creativity or innovation (metaphorical use).

Translation(s) & Context:

• гений - In metaphorical contexts, like describing an idea or invention.

Usage Examples:

• Эта идея — чистый гений!

  This idea is pure genius! (Informal exclamation, emphasizing ingenuity.)

• Гений дизайна этого здания поражает воображение.

  The genius of this building's design captivates the imagination.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Гений" is a masculine noun of the second declension, which follows standard patterns for Russian nouns. It inflects based on case and number. "Талант" is also a masculine noun but can be indeclinable in some contexts due to its foreign origin.

Note: "Талант" is generally regular but may remain unchanged in some fixed phrases due to its loanword status.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • талант (talent; similar but less intense, often used for specific skills)
  • гениальность (genius as a quality; emphasizes the state rather than the person)
• Antonyms:
  • посредственность (mediocrity; implies average ability)
  • невежество (ignorance; for lack of knowledge)

Related Phrases:

• вундеркинд (wunderkind; a child prodigy) - Refers to a young person with extraordinary talent, often used in contexts of early genius.
• гений места (genius loci; spirit of a place) - A metaphorical phrase from Latin, adapted in Russian for cultural or environmental essence.
• родиться в рубашке (to be born with a silver spoon; not direct, but implies innate luck or talent leading to genius).

Usage Notes:

"Гений" directly corresponds to the English "genius" in formal contexts, such as historical or scientific discussions, but avoid overusing it in casual speech where "талант" might be more appropriate. In Russian, these words carry cultural weight; for example, "гений" often evokes figures like Pushkin or Einstein. When choosing between translations, consider the level of exceptionalism: use "гений" for unparalleled achievement and "талант" for notable but not revolutionary skills. Grammatically, always decline nouns according to case, as shown in the inflections table, to maintain sentence flow.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "гений" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я видел гений" instead of "Я видел гения" (I saw the genius). Correct: "Я видел гения" – This errors stems from English speakers not adapting to Russian case systems.
• Mistake: Confusing "гений" with "талант" in intensity, e.g., calling a skilled hobbyist a "гений" when "талант" suffices. Correct usage: Reserve "гений" for extraordinary cases to avoid hyperbole.
• Mistake: Pronouncing "гений" as /ˈdʒiːniəs/ (like the English word), which sounds unnatural. Explanation: Use the Russian IPA /ˈɡʲenʲij/ for authenticity, focusing on the palatalized sounds.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "гений" is often linked to national pride, such as with writers like Alexander Pushkin or scientists like Dmitri Mendeleev. This term carries a romanticized connotation from the 19th-century Russian literary tradition, where genius was seen as a divine gift, influencing how Russians discuss creativity and innovation today.

Related Concepts:

• талантливость (talentfulness)
• креативность (creativity)
• инновация (innovation)