Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hedonist'

English Word: hedonist

Key Russian Translations:

• гедонист [ɡʲɪˈdonʲɪst] - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (This term appears in philosophical, literary, and academic contexts but is not everyday vocabulary in casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with borrowed words from English/Greek and basic understanding of Russian nominal inflections.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гедонист: [ɡʲɪˈdonʲɪst]

Note on гедонист: The initial 'г' is pronounced as a palatalized [ɡʲ], which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds softer than the English 'g' in 'go'. Stress falls on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person who believes that the pursuit of pleasure is the most important thing in life, often in a philosophical sense.

Translation(s) & Context:

• гедонист - Used in formal, academic, or philosophical discussions to describe someone dedicated to hedonism; common in literature and psychology.

Usage Examples:

• Он — заядлый гедонист, который тратит все свое время на поиски удовольствий.

  He is an avid hedonist who spends all his time seeking pleasures.

• В романе главный герой показан как гедонист, игнорирующий социальные нормы ради личного наслаждения.

  In the novel, the main character is portrayed as a hedonist, ignoring social norms for personal enjoyment.

• Многие философы критикуют гедониста за его эгоистичный подход к жизни.

  Many philosophers criticize the hedonist for their selfish approach to life.

• Как гедонист, она предпочитает роскошные путешествия и гастрономические опыты.

  As a hedonist, she prefers luxurious travels and gastronomic experiences.

• Гедонист в этой группе всегда предлагает идеи, связанные с развлечениями и удовольствиями.

  The hedonist in this group always suggests ideas related to entertainment and pleasures.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Гедонист" is a masculine noun (second declension) borrowed from Greek via English. It follows standard Russian nominal inflections for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table of its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender (always masculine) and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declensions are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • эпикуреец (epicurean; implies a more refined pursuit of pleasure, often associated with Epicurean philosophy, with a subtle difference from the more general гедонист).
  • наслажденец (one who indulges in pleasures; used in a more everyday context).
• Antonyms:
  • аскет (ascetic; someone who practices self-denial and austerity).
  • стоик (stoic; someone who emphasizes endurance and self-control over pleasure).

Related Phrases:

• Заядлый гедонист - An inveterate hedonist; refers to someone deeply committed to a hedonistic lifestyle.
• Гедонистический образ жизни - A hedonistic way of life; describes a philosophy or manner of living focused on pleasure.
• Быть гедонистом в душе - To be a hedonist at heart; indicates an innate tendency towards hedonism, often in informal contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Гедонист" directly corresponds to the English "hedonist" and is typically used in formal or intellectual settings, such as discussions on philosophy or psychology. It carries a neutral to slightly negative connotation in Russian culture, implying self-indulgence. When choosing between translations like "эпикуреец," opt for "гедонист" if the context is more general; be mindful of grammatical agreement, as it must inflect according to Russian cases. For example, use the genitive form in phrases like "идеи гедониста" (ideas of the hedonist).

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "гедонист" with "эпикуреец" and using them interchangeably without considering nuances. Incorrect: "Он эпикуреец, но это не то же самое, что гедонист." (This misapplies the terms.) Correct: Use "гедонист" for broad pleasure-seeking and explain the difference if needed. Explanation: "Эпикуреец" often implies a more balanced, intellectual pursuit, while "гедонист" can sound more hedonistic and self-centered.

• Error: Failing to inflect the noun properly in sentences, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Incorrect: "Я говорил о гедонист" (should be genitive). Correct: "Я говорил о гедонисте." Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always check the sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "гедонист" is often linked to Western philosophical ideas, such as those from Epicurus or modern consumerism. It may carry a critique of materialism, especially in post-Soviet contexts where self-restraint was historically valued. Understanding this helps English speakers grasp how the term reflects broader cultural attitudes towards pleasure and morality in Russia.

Related Concepts:

• эпикуризм (Epicureanism)
• гедонизм (hedonism)
• аскетизм (asceticism)