Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'glory'

English Word: glory

Key Russian Translations:

• слава [ˈslavə] - [Formal, used in contexts of honor or fame]
• величие [vɪˈlʲitɕɪje] - [Formal, often in historical or majestic contexts]
• блеск [ˈblʲesk] - [Informal, emphasizing splendor or brilliance]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, historical texts, and formal speeches, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, according to CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual usage; for 'слава', it's B1, while 'величие' might be B2 due to more abstract applications)

Pronunciation (Russian):

слава: [ˈslavə]

величие: [vɪˈlʲitɕɪje]

блеск: [ˈblʲesk]

Note on слава: The stress is on the first syllable; be cautious with the 'л' sound, which is a soft 'l' in Russian, potentially challenging for English speakers.

Note on величие: Pronounce the 'е' as a soft 'ye' sound; this word has a more emphatic tone in formal settings.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Great honor, praise, or admiration earned through achievements

Translation(s) & Context:

• слава - Used in formal or historical contexts, such as describing national heroes or accomplishments.
• величие - Applied in more grandiose, philosophical contexts, like the glory of nature or empires.

Usage Examples:

• Он снискал вечную славу в битве за родину.

  He earned eternal glory in the battle for his homeland.

• Слава героям, отдавшим жизни за свободу.

  Glory to the heroes who gave their lives for freedom.

• Величие этой цивилизации по-прежнему вдохновляет поколения.

  The glory of this civilization still inspires generations.

• Блеск его достижений осветил всю эпоху.

  The glory of his achievements illuminated the entire era.

• В погоне за славой он забыл о простых радостях жизни.

  In pursuit of glory, he forgot about the simple joys of life.

Meaning 2: Splendor, magnificence, or radiant beauty

Translation(s) & Context:

• блеск - Informal contexts, such as describing visual or aesthetic glory, like in art or nature.
• слава - Less common, but used metaphorically for radiant fame.

Usage Examples:

• Блеск заката окрашивал небо в золотые тона.

  The glory of the sunset painted the sky in golden hues.

• Этот музей полон блеска былых эпох.

  This museum is full of the glory of bygone eras.

• Слава природы в ее разнообразии завораживает.

  The glory of nature in its diversity is captivating.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Слава' is a feminine noun in the first declension, which means it follows standard patterns for Russian nouns. It inflects based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table of its declensions:

'Величие' is a neuter noun and is less inflected, remaining relatively unchanged in many forms due to its abstract nature: Nominative: величие; Genitive: величия; etc. It does not have a plural form in most contexts.

'Блеск' is a masculine noun with standard declensions: Nominative: блеск; Genitive: блеска; etc.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • почёт (similar to 'honor', but more formal and ceremonial)
  • честь (emphasizes moral glory, with a slight nuance of integrity)
  • триумф (used for triumphant glory, often in celebratory contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • позор (shame or disgrace)
  • унижение (humiliation)

Related Phrases:

• Вечная слава (eternal glory - often used in memorials or tributes)
• Слава героям (glory to the heroes - a patriotic phrase in Russian culture)
• Блеск и нищета (glory and poverty - referring to the highs and lows of life, as in a literary title)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'слава' directly corresponds to the English 'glory' in contexts of fame or honor, but it's more commonly used in formal, historical, or literary settings rather than everyday speech. Choose 'величие' for more abstract or majestic connotations, such as in descriptions of grandeur. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences; for example, adjectives must agree with the feminine noun 'слава'. When deciding between translations, consider the context: 'блеск' is ideal for visual or aesthetic glory, while 'слава' suits personal or national achievements.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'слава' in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел слава" instead of "Я видел славу" (accusative case). Correct: Ensure proper declension based on sentence structure. Explanation: Russian nouns change endings to show relationships, which English speakers often overlook.

• Error: Confusing 'слава' with 'слава' as a proper name (e.g., a female first name). Correct: In non-personal contexts, use it as a common noun with appropriate inflections. Explanation: This can lead to awkward phrasing; always check for contextual clues.

• Error: Overusing 'блеск' for abstract glory, e.g., "блеск войны" when 'слава войны' is more appropriate. Correct: Reserve 'блеск' for literal shine or splendor. Explanation: Misapplication can make the language sound unnatural or imprecise.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'слава' often carries deep historical and patriotic connotations, frequently appearing in references to World War II heroes or national pride, as in the phrase "Слава России" (Glory to Russia). It reflects a cultural emphasis on collective achievements and resilience, stemming from Russia's literary traditions in works by authors like Pushkin.

Related Concepts:

• геройство (heroism)
• честь (honor)
• триумф (victory)