Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'god'

English Word: god

Key Russian Translations:

• бог [bɐɡ] - [Formal, used in religious or philosophical contexts]
• божок [bɐˈʐok] - [Informal, Plural, refers to a lesser or pagan god]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in religious, literary, and everyday discussions in Russian culture).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic vocabulary with cultural and grammatical nuances; for 'бог', it's straightforward, but 'божок' may require more context).

Pronunciation (Russian):

бог: [bɐɡ]

божок: [bɐˈʐok]

Note on бог: The 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a soft 'g' as in 'go', but with more guttural quality. Variations in accent may soften it further in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Religious or Supreme Being (Primary meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бог - Used in formal religious contexts, such as Christianity or general theism, to refer to a supreme deity.
• божок - Used in informal or mythological contexts for lesser gods or idols, often with a pejorative connotation.

Usage Examples:

• Вера в Бога помогает мне в трудные моменты. (Faith in God helps me in difficult times.)

  Translation: Faith in God helps me in difficult times. (This example shows 'бог' in a spiritual, supportive context.)

• Древние славяне поклонялись множеству божков природы. (Ancient Slavs worshiped many lesser gods of nature.)

  Translation: Ancient Slavs worshiped many lesser gods of nature. (Illustrates 'божок' in a historical, plural form.)

• Бог создал мир за семь дней, согласно Библии. (God created the world in seven days, according to the Bible.)

  Translation: God created the world in seven days, according to the Bible. (Demonstrates 'бог' in a biblical narrative.)

• В некоторых культурах божок может быть просто фигуркой для ритуалов. (In some cultures, a lesser god can be just a figurine for rituals.)

  Translation: In some cultures, a lesser god can be just a figurine for rituals. (Shows 'божок' in an anthropological context.)

• Молитва к Богу дает утешение. (Prayer to God provides comfort.)

  Translation: Prayer to God provides comfort. (Highlights 'бог' in a devotional, singular usage.)

2. Metaphorical or Figurative Sense (e.g., idolization)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бог - Used metaphorically for something highly revered, like a celebrity or ideal.

Usage Examples:

• Для фанатов он — настоящий бог рока. (For fans, he is a true god of rock.)

  Translation: For fans, he is a true god of rock. (This uses 'бог' figuratively in modern pop culture.)

• Деньги стали божком для многих людей. (Money has become a god for many people.)

  Translation: Money has become a god for many people. (Illustrates metaphorical use with a critical tone.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'бог' and 'божок' are masculine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. 'Бог' is invariant in some contexts but changes based on case and number.

Note: 'Бог' can become 'боги' in plural for multiple gods, but it's irregular in religious contexts where it's often treated as unchangeable.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Господь (Lord) - Often used interchangeably with 'бог' in Christian contexts, but more formal.
  • Творец (Creator) - Emphasizes the creative aspect, with a slight philosophical nuance.
• Antonyms:
  • Дьявол (Devil) - Direct opposite in religious narratives.
  • Безбожник (Atheist) - Refers to someone who denies gods, indirectly contrasting the concept.

Related Phrases:

• Бог есть любовь (God is love) - A phrase from Christian teachings, used to express divine affection.
• Воля Божья (God's will) - Refers to fate or divine plan in everyday contexts.
• Божок на полке (A lesser god on the shelf) - Idiomatic for a forgotten idol or superstition, with a humorous connotation.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'бог' directly corresponds to the English 'god' in religious contexts but is capitalized as 'Бог' when referring to the Abrahamic God. Use 'божок' for more casual or diminutive references. Be mindful of cultural sensitivity, as Russia has a strong Orthodox Christian background. When choosing between translations, opt for 'бог' in formal writing and 'божок' in folklore or criticism. Grammatically, it requires agreement in gender and case, e.g., always masculine.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'бог' with 'Бог' capitalization: Incorrect: "bog v bible" (should be "Бог в Библии"). Correct: Use uppercase for the supreme being. Explanation: Russian follows similar capitalization rules to English for proper nouns.

• Misusing cases: Incorrect: "Молюсь бог" (praying to god without dative case). Correct: "Молюсь богу". Explanation: Nouns must agree in case; here, dative is needed for the object of prayer.

• Overgeneralizing to plural: Incorrect: Using 'богов' for multiple supreme gods. Correct: 'Боги' for pagan gods. Explanation: 'Бог' is singular in monotheistic contexts and doesn't pluralize easily.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'бог' is deeply tied to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, influencing literature, art, and daily life. For instance, phrases like 'Слава Богу' (Thank God) are common expressions of relief, reflecting historical resilience against hardships. This word carries connotations of morality and fate, especially in a society shaped by Soviet atheism followed by religious revival.

Related Concepts:

• Ангел (Angel)
• Рай (Heaven)
• Грех (Sin)