Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'heresy'

English Word: heresy

Key Russian Translations:

• ересь [jɪˈrʲesʲ] - [Formal, often used in historical or religious contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in religious, historical, or academic discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper-Intermediate; Requires familiarity with Russian nominal declensions and religious terminology)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ересь: [jɪˈrʲesʲ]

Note on ересь: The stress falls on the second syllable ('rʲesʲ'). Pay attention to the soft 'r' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A belief or opinion that strongly disagrees with established religious doctrine or orthodoxy.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ересь - Typically used in formal, historical, or theological contexts to denote religious dissent; avoids casual speech.

Usage Examples:

• В средние века ересь могла привести к жестоким преследованиям со стороны церкви.

  In the Middle Ages, heresy could lead to brutal persecutions by the church.

• Современные философы иногда обсуждают ересь как форму интеллектуального вызова традициям.

  Modern philosophers sometimes discuss heresy as a form of intellectual challenge to traditions.

• Ересь в христианстве часто ассоциируется с фигурами вроде Мартина Лютера.

  Heresy in Christianity is often associated with figures like Martin Luther.

• В русской литературе ересь изображена как источник конфликта в исторических романах.

  In Russian literature, heresy is depicted as a source of conflict in historical novels.

• Обвинение в ереси использовалось для подавления инакомыслия в различных религиях.

  Accusations of heresy were used to suppress dissent in various religions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Ересь" is a feminine noun in the third declension. It follows standard Russian nominal inflections, which are regular but require attention to case and number. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: The word does not have irregular forms, but ensure correct stress in inflected versions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: еретизм (emphasizes the ideological aspect), отступничество (focuses on abandonment of faith)
• Antonyms: православие (orthodoxy, implying adherence to established doctrine), ортодоксия (strict adherence to traditional beliefs)

Related Phrases:

• еретическая секта - A heretical sect; Refers to a group deviating from mainstream religion, often in historical contexts.
• обвинение в ереси - Accusation of heresy; Commonly used in discussions of religious trials or inquisitions.
• ересь инакомыслия - Heresy of dissent; Highlights intellectual or philosophical rebellion against norms.

Usage Notes:

"Ересь" directly corresponds to the English "heresy" in religious contexts but is less common in modern everyday Russian. It is typically formal and appears in academic, historical, or theological writing. When choosing this term over synonyms like "отступничество," opt for "ересь" if the focus is on doctrinal deviation rather than personal apostasy. Be mindful of grammatical gender (feminine) and ensure proper declension based on sentence structure. In spoken Russian, it might be softened in casual discussions to avoid offense.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "ересь" interchangeably with "еретик" (heretic, a person). Correct: "Ересь" refers to the belief, not the person. Example of error: "Он ересь" (incorrect, as it implies "He is heresy"). Correct: "Он еретик" or "Его учение — ересь."

• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Correct: In genitive contexts, use "ереси" (e.g., "страх ереси" instead of "страх ересь"). This mistake often stems from not adjusting for case in Russian sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "ересь" is deeply tied to historical events like the Old Believers schism in the 17th century, where reforms in the Russian Orthodox Church led to accusations of heresy and significant social upheaval. This term often carries connotations of rebellion against authority, reflecting Russia's complex religious history and the enduring influence of Orthodoxy.

Related Concepts:

• еретик
• инквизиция
• раскол