Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hedonism'

English Word: hedonism

Key Russian Translations:

• Гедонизм (/ɡʲɪˈdo.nʲɪzm/) - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (This term is moderately used in philosophical, psychological, and academic contexts, but not in everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate to Advanced; requires familiarity with philosophical concepts and borrowed vocabulary, as per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Гедонизм: /ɡʲɪˈdo.nʲɪzm/

Note on Гедонизм: The stress falls on the second syllable ('do'), which is common in Russian loanwords. Palatalization of the 'г' sound may be challenging for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The pursuit of pleasure as a fundamental principle, often in philosophical or ethical contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Гедонизм - Used in formal discussions of philosophy, ethics, or psychology, where it refers to the doctrine that pleasure is the chief good in life.

Usage Examples:

• Гедонизм — это философия, которая утверждает, что удовольствие является высшим благом в жизни.

  Hedonism is a philosophy that asserts that pleasure is the highest good in life.

• Многие критики обвиняют современную культуру в чрезмерном гедонизме, игнорирующем долгосрочные последствия.

  Many critics accuse modern culture of excessive hedonism, ignoring long-term consequences.

• В отличие от аскетизма, гедонизм подчеркивает поиск немедленного удовлетворения.

  Unlike asceticism, hedonism emphasizes the pursuit of immediate satisfaction.

• Гедонизм как концепция возник в древней Греции, но остается актуальным в дебатах о морали.

  Hedonism as a concept originated in ancient Greece but remains relevant in debates about morality.

• Приверженцы гедонизма часто сталкиваются с критикой за эгоистичное отношение к удовольствиям.

  Adherents of hedonism often face criticism for their selfish approach to pleasures.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Гедонизм is a masculine noun (мужской род) borrowed from Greek via English, and it follows the standard third-declension pattern for inanimate nouns in Russian. It is relatively invariable in modern usage but can inflect based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The plural form is less common and used when referring to various types or instances of hedonistic philosophies.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Эпикуреизм (Epicureanism; similar but often implies a more refined pursuit of pleasure, as opposed to pure hedonism.)
  • Удовольствование (more general term for seeking pleasure, but less formal.)
• Antonyms:
  • Аскетизм (Asceticism; emphasizes self-denial and restraint.)
  • Стоицизм (Stoicism; focuses on endurance and emotional control.)

Related Phrases:

• Принципы гедонизма - Principles of hedonism (Refers to the core ideas of the philosophy, often used in ethical discussions.)
• Культура гедонизма - Culture of hedonism (Describes societies or eras dominated by pleasure-seeking.)
• Экстремальный гедонизм - Extreme hedonism (Implies an excessive or reckless pursuit of pleasure, with potential negative connotations.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'гедонизм' directly corresponds to the English 'hedonism' as a philosophical term, but it is typically reserved for formal or academic contexts. Unlike in English, where 'hedonism' can be used more casually, Russian speakers might prefer it in written essays or lectures. When choosing between translations, 'гедонизм' is the most precise; avoid using general words like 'удовольствие' unless the context is less formal. Be mindful of grammatical agreement: as a masculine noun, it must agree with adjectives and verbs accordingly (e.g., 'гедонизм является...' for 'hedonism is...').

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing the word as /ɡeˈdo.nizm/ without the palatalized 'г' sound.
  Correct: /ɡʲɪˈdo.nʲɪzm/ - The palatalization is key in Russian phonetics; learners often forget it, making the word sound less natural.
  Example of error: Saying "Геонизм" instead of "Гедонизм".

• Error: Using 'гедонизм' in everyday contexts where a simpler term like 'удовольствие' would suffice, leading to overly formal language.
  Correct: Reserve 'гедонизм' for philosophical discussions; for casual talk, say "погоня за удовольствием" (pursuit of pleasure).
  Example of error: "Я практикую гедонизм в выходные" (incorrectly casual); Correct: "Я ищу удовольствия в выходные".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'гедонизм' is often associated with Western philosophical traditions, particularly those from ancient Greece (e.g., Epicurus). It can carry a slightly negative connotation in modern Russian discourse, implying selfishness or moral laxity, especially in contrast to traditional Russian values of endurance and collectivism as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works.

Related Concepts:

• Стоицизм (Stoicism)
• Экзистенциализм (Existentialism)
• Аскетизм (Asceticism)