Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'heretical'

English Word: heretical

Key Russian Translations:

• еретический /jɪrʲɪˈtʲit͡ɕɪskʲɪj/ - [Formal, used in religious or academic contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word is rarely used in everyday conversation; it appears more frequently in theological, historical, or academic discussions in Russian.)

Difficulty: C1 (Advanced, as it involves specialized vocabulary related to religion and philosophy; suitable for learners with a strong grasp of Russian grammar and context.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

еретический: /jɪrʲɪˈtʲit͡ɕɪskʲɪj/

Note on еретический: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("tʲit͡ɕ"), which can be challenging for non-native speakers due to the palatalized consonants and vowel reductions in spoken Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to or characterized by heresy, especially in a religious context (e.g., beliefs that deviate from established doctrine).

Translation(s) & Context:

• еретический - Used in formal discussions of theology or history, often to describe ideas or individuals challenging orthodox beliefs in Russian Orthodox contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Его взгляды на религию были еретическими, что привело к его отлучению от церкви.

  His views on religion were heretical, which led to his excommunication from the church.

• В средневековой Руси еретические секты часто преследовались властями.

  In medieval Rus, heretical sects were often persecuted by the authorities.

• Эта книга представляет еретический подход к интерпретации Библии.

  This book presents a heretical approach to interpreting the Bible.

• Многие философы считали его идеи еретическими по отношению к традиционным учениям.

  Many philosophers considered his ideas heretical in relation to traditional teachings.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Еретический" is an adjective in Russian, which means it changes based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard first-declension adjective pattern, with no irregularities. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have comparative or superlative forms in common usage, as it is more descriptive than gradable.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • неортодоксальный (neortodoksal'nyy) - Less formal, used for ideas that are unorthodox but not necessarily religious.
  • диссидентский (dissidentskiy) - Implies a rebellious or dissenting nature, often in political contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • ортодоксальный (ortodoksal'nyy) - Refers to adherence to established traditions, especially in religion.
  • традиционный (traditsionnyy) - More general, meaning traditional or conventional.

Related Phrases:

• Еретическая секта (Eretičeskaja sekta) - A heretical sect; used to describe groups with deviant beliefs in historical or religious discussions.
• Еретические взгляды (Eretičeskie vzglyady) - Heretical views; common in debates about ideology or faith.
• Обвинить в ереси (Obvinit' v eresi) - To accuse of heresy; a phrase often seen in legal or ecclesiastical contexts, implying formal charges.

Usage Notes:

"Еретический" directly corresponds to "heretical" in English, particularly in religious contexts, but it carries a stronger historical connotation in Russian due to the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church. Use it in formal writing or speech; avoid in casual conversations as it may sound archaic. When choosing between translations, opt for "еретический" for religious heresy and "неортодоксальный" for broader unorthodox ideas. Be mindful of grammatical agreement: always inflect the adjective to match the noun's gender, number, and case.

• In sentences, it often pairs with nouns like "идея" (idea) or "учение" (teaching).
• Limit its use to contexts where deviation from orthodoxy is explicitly discussed, as overuse can make text overly dramatic.

Common Errors:

• Mistake 1: Confusing "еретический" with "ересь" (heresy, a noun). Incorrect: "Он ересь" (wrong usage). Correct: "Он еретический" as an adjective. Explanation: "Ересь" is the noun for the concept, while "еретический" describes something related to it; always check part of speech.
• Mistake 2: Failing to inflect properly, e.g., using "еретический" with a feminine noun without changing to "еретическая". Incorrect: "Еретический идея" (should be "Еретическая идея"). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case, which English learners often overlook.
• Mistake 3: Overgeneralizing to non-religious contexts. Incorrect: Using it for everyday disagreements. Explanation: Reserve it for formal, historical, or theological discussions to maintain accuracy and avoid sounding pretentious.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "еретический" is deeply tied to the history of the Russian Orthodox Church, where heresies like those of the Old Believers in the 17th century led to schisms and persecutions. This word evokes themes of religious dissent and state control over faith, reflecting Russia's complex relationship with orthodoxy and reform.

Related Concepts:

• ересь (heresy)
• диссидент (dissident)
• ортодоксия (orthodoxy)