Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gravitas'

English Word: gravitas

Key Russian Translations:

• весомость /vʲɪsɐˈmostʲ/ - [Formal; used in contexts emphasizing importance or weightiness]
• серьезность /sʲɪrʲɪˈzostʲ/ - [Informal; applicable in everyday discussions of demeanor or gravity]
• авторитет /ɐfˈtorʲɪtʲɛt/ - [Formal; often in professional or leadership contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, speeches, and discussions on leadership or philosophy)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract nouns and contextual nuances; for 'весомость' and 'авторитет', it may lean towards B2, while 'серьезность' could be A2 for basic usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

весомость: /vʲɪsɐˈmostʲ/

серьезность: /sʲɪrʲɪˈzostʲ/ (Note on серьезность: The stress falls on the third syllable, which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'r' sound; variations in regional accents may soften the vowels.)

авторитет: /ɐfˈtorʲɪtʲɛt/ (Note on авторитет: Pay attention to the initial 'a' sound, which is more open than in English; common in formal speech.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Seriousness or dignity in demeanor (the primary meaning of 'gravitas' as a quality of being serious and commanding respect)

Translation(s) & Context:

• весомость - Used in formal contexts, such as describing a leader's decisions or arguments, to convey depth and importance.
• серьезность - Applied in informal or everyday situations to discuss personal traits, like in conversations about behavior.
• авторитет - Employed in professional settings to highlight authority and influence, often in debates or evaluations.

Usage Examples:

• Его речь была полна весомости, что убедило аудиторию в его лидерских качествах.

  His speech was full of gravitas, which convinced the audience of his leadership qualities.

• В этой роли актера подчеркивается серьезность, делающая персонажа более убедительным.

  In this role, the actor's gravitas makes the character more convincing.

• Как ученый, она обладает авторитетом, который вдохновляет молодых исследователей.

  As a scholar, she possesses gravitas that inspires young researchers.

• Весомость его аргументов проявилась в ходе дебатов, заставив оппонентов задуматься.

  The gravitas of his arguments became evident during the debates, making opponents think twice.

• Серьезность в его взгляде сразу передает ощущение ответственности и зрелости.

  The gravitas in his gaze immediately conveys a sense of responsibility and maturity.

Figurative or extended meanings (e.g., in contexts like philosophy or politics)

Translation(s) & Context:

• авторитет - In broader contexts, such as political discourse, to denote moral or intellectual weight.
• весомость - Used metaphorically in literary or academic settings for abstract concepts.

Usage Examples:

• Книга о философии подчеркивает весомость этических принципов в повседневной жизни.

  The book on philosophy emphasizes the gravitas of ethical principles in everyday life.

• Его авторитет в обществе вырос после успешной реформы.

  His gravitas in society grew after the successful reform.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'весомость' (a feminine noun, 3rd declension), it follows standard Russian noun inflections. It is invariable in plural forms in most contexts but changes by case in singular.

For 'серьезность' (also feminine, 3rd declension), it has similar inflections but is more commonly used in singular forms.

'Авторитет' (masculine noun) is invariable in plural and follows standard patterns, with no irregular changes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: авторитет (emphasizes authority), достоинство (highlights dignity; differs by focusing on moral worth)
• Antonyms: легкомыслие (implies frivolity, often in casual contexts)

Related Phrases:

• иметь весомость - To have gravitas; used to describe something that carries significant influence or importance.
• подчеркивать серьезность - To emphasize gravitas; common in discussions about behavior or decisions.
• авторитет в глазах общества - Gravitas in the eyes of society; a phrase for social perception of authority.

Usage Notes:

'Весомость' is the most direct equivalent to 'gravitas' in formal English contexts, often implying a sense of intellectual or moral weight, but it's less commonly used in everyday Russian speech compared to 'серьезность'. Choose 'авторитет' when discussing leadership or professional demeanor. Be mindful of grammatical gender (feminine for 'весомость' and 'серьезность'), which affects adjective agreements. In Russian, these words are typically used in nominative or genitive cases in sentences, and they pair well with verbs like 'иметь' (to have) or 'проявлять' (to show).

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing 'весомость' with 'гравитация' (which means physical gravity in science). Correct usage: Use 'весомость' for abstract qualities, e.g., Wrong: "Его гравитация впечатляет" (His gravity is impressive) → Correct: "Его весомость впечатляет" (His gravitas is impressive). Explanation: 'Гравитация' is a scientific term, not for personal traits.
• Mistake: Overusing in informal contexts. Correct: In casual talk, prefer 'серьезность' over 'весомость' to avoid sounding overly formal, e.g., Wrong: "Его весомость в дружбе" → Correct: "Его серьезность в дружбе".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'весомость' or 'авторитет' often tie to historical figures such as leaders in literature (e.g., Tolstoy's characters) or Soviet-era intellectuals, emphasizing intellectual depth and moral integrity. This reflects a cultural value on 'душевность' (soulfulness), where gravitas is not just about appearance but inner substance, differing from Western portrayals that might focus more on outward demeanor.

Related Concepts:

• достоинство
• ответственность
• мудрость