Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gospel'

English Word: gospel

Key Russian Translations:

• Евангелие [/jɪ.vɐn.ˈɡɛ.lʲɪ.jə/] - [Formal, Religious context]

Frequency: Medium (Common in religious, literary, and historical contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with religious terminology and basic Russian noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Евангелие: [/jɪ.vɐn.ˈɡɛ.lʲɪ.jə/]

Note on Евангелие: The stress falls on the third syllable ("ɡɛ"), which is a common point of difficulty for English speakers due to the soft 'лʲ' sound. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The Christian Gospel (as in the biblical texts or core message of Christianity)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Евангелие - Used in formal religious, literary, or historical contexts to refer to the canonical Gospels or the good news of Christianity. Common in Orthodox Christian settings.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: "Евангелие от Иоанна является одним из четырех канонических текстов Нового Завета."

  English: "The Gospel of John is one of the four canonical texts of the New Testament."

• Русский: "В русской православной традиции Евангелие читается во время богослужений."

  English: "In the Russian Orthodox tradition, the Gospel is read during services."

• Русский: "Евангелие Матфея часто цитируется в проповедях для иллюстрации моральных уроков."

  English: "The Gospel of Matthew is often quoted in sermons to illustrate moral lessons."

• Русский: "Современные толкования Евангелия адаптируют его послания для повседневной жизни."

  English: "Modern interpretations of the Gospel adapt its messages for everyday life."

• Русский: "Евангелие как жанр литературы повлияло на русскую культуру через иконы и искусство."

  English: "The Gospel as a literary genre has influenced Russian culture through icons and art."

Meaning 2: Metaphorical use (as in an unquestionable truth or authoritative doctrine)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Евангелие - In informal or metaphorical contexts, but less common; may be replaced with "истины" (truths) in modern usage. Typically formal and literary.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: "Для него слова учителя были настоящим Евангелием, не подлежащим сомнению."

  English: "For him, the teacher's words were like the Gospel, not to be questioned."

• Русский: "В науке эволюционная теория иногда воспринимается как Евангелие."

  English: "In science, evolutionary theory is sometimes perceived as the Gospel."

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Евангелие" is a neuter noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows standard noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case, with no irregularities. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: As a neuter noun, it does not change in the nominative and accusative singular forms, which is a standard feature in Russian grammar.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Благая весть (Blagaya vest') - More literal, emphasizing the 'good news' aspect; used in poetic or archaic contexts.
  • Евангелие от [автора] (Evangelie ot [author]) - Specific to individual Gospels, with subtle differences based on the source text.
• Antonyms:
  • Ложь (Lzh') - Meaning 'lie' or 'falsehood', contrasting the truth of the Gospel.

Related Phrases:

• Новозаветное Евангелие - Refers to the Gospels in the New Testament; used in theological discussions.
• Четвероевангелие - Meaning 'the Four Gospels'; a common phrase in Russian Orthodox literature.
• Евангелие от Луки - Specifically 'The Gospel of Luke'; an example of a fixed phrase for individual texts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "Евангелие" directly corresponds to the English "gospel" in its religious sense, derived from Greek via Church Slavonic. It is primarily used in formal, ecclesiastical, or literary contexts within Russian Orthodox culture. English speakers should note that it is a neuter noun and must agree in gender, number, and case with accompanying words. When choosing between translations, opt for "Евангелие" for biblical references and avoid metaphorical uses in everyday speech, as they may sound overly dramatic. In modern contexts, it's often paired with prepositions like "из" (from) or "в" (in) to specify sources or settings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Misplacing the stress in pronunciation, e.g., saying /jɪ.vɐn.ɡɛˈlʲɪ.jə/ instead of /jɪ.vɐn.ˈɡɛ.lʲɪ.jə/.
  Correct: Focus on the third syllable; practice with native audio.
  Explanation: This can make the word sound unnatural or confusing in conversation.

• Error: Using it in plural form incorrectly, e.g., saying "Евангелиес" instead of "Евангелия".
  Correct: "Евангелия" for plural nominative.
  Explanation: English learners often overlook Russian case systems, leading to grammatical errors in sentences.

Cultural Notes:

"Евангелие" holds deep significance in Russian culture, particularly within the Russian Orthodox Church, which is a cornerstone of national identity. It is not just a religious text but a symbol of spiritual and moral guidance, often depicted in icons and read during key holidays like Easter. Historically, translations like the Synodal Bible have shaped Russian literature and language, influencing figures such as Dostoevsky, who wove Gospel themes into his works.

Related Concepts:

• Библия (Bible)
• Апостол (Apostle)
• Икона (Icon)