Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'heroine'

English Word: heroine

Key Russian Translations:

• героиня (geroinya) - [Formal, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature, media, and discussions about history or fiction, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and basic vocabulary related to characters and narratives)

Pronunciation (Russian):

героиня: /ɡʲɪˈrojɪnə/

Note on героиня: The stress falls on the third syllable ("roy"), and the initial "г" is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft "g" sound, similar to "y" in "yes".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A female character in a story or film who is the main protagonist or displays heroic qualities.

Translation(s) & Context:

• героиня - Used in formal literary contexts, such as describing a book's main female character.

Usage Examples:

• В романе Толстого главная героиня борется за свою свободу.

  In Tolstoy's novel, the main heroine fights for her freedom.

• Эта актриса часто играет роль героини в исторических фильмах.

  This actress often plays the role of the heroine in historical films.

• Героиня этой сказки спасает королевство от зла.

  The heroine of this fairy tale saves the kingdom from evil.

• В современной литературе героиня может быть обычной женщиной с необычными силами.

  In modern literature, the heroine can be an ordinary woman with extraordinary powers.

2. A woman admired for her courage, noble qualities, or achievements in real life.

Translation(s) & Context:

• героиня - Applied in biographical or historical contexts, often with a sense of admiration.

Usage Examples:

• Жанна д’Арк считается национальной героиней Франции.

  Joan of Arc is considered a national heroine of France.

• Эта ученая стала героиней для многих женщин в науке.

  This scientist became a heroine for many women in science.

• Героиня войны получила медаль за отвагу.

  The war heroine received a medal for bravery.

• В обществе она известна как героиня, спасающая животных.

  In society, she is known as a heroine who saves animals.

• Молодая активистка стала героиней движения за права человека.

  The young activist became a heroine of the human rights movement.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Героиня" is a feminine noun of the first declension in Russian. It follows standard patterns for feminine nouns ending in -я. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariable in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • подвигательница (podvigatel'nitsa) - Emphasizes the act of inspiring or performing feats, often in a more archaic or poetic context.
  • спасительница (spasitel'nitsa) - Used when the heroine is specifically a savior, with a connotation of rescue.
• Antonyms:
  • злодейка (zloyeika) - Refers to a female villain or antagonist.
  • предательница (predatel'nitsa) - Implies betrayal, contrasting with heroic loyalty.

Related Phrases:

• Национальная героиня (Natsional'naya geroinya) - National heroine; used in historical or patriotic contexts.
• Героиня своего времени (Geroinya svoyego vremeni) - Heroine of her time; refers to a woman who embodies the spirit of an era.
• Женщина-героиня (Zhenshchina-geroinya) - Woman-heroine; emphasizes gender in discussions of gender roles.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "героиня" directly corresponds to the English "heroine" but is more commonly used in literary or historical contexts rather than casual speech. Always consider the gender agreement, as Russian adjectives and verbs must match the feminine form. For example, use with feminine pronouns like "она" (she). When choosing between translations, opt for "героиня" in standard contexts, but "подвигательница" for more poetic or formal writing. Be mindful of cultural nuances where heroism is often tied to national pride.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the masculine form "герой" (geroy) instead of "героиня" for a female subject. Correct: Always use "героиня" for females to maintain gender accuracy. Example of error: "Она герой истории" (incorrect). Correct: "Она героиня истории" – This mistake often stems from English's gender-neutral usage.

• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Correct: In genitive, say "книги о героине" (about the heroine), not "книги о героиня". Explanation: Russian requires case changes based on sentence structure, which English learners might overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a "heroine" is often linked to historical figures like Joan of Arc or Soviet women in World War II, symbolizing resilience and patriotism. Terms like "героиня" carry a sense of national pride, especially in literature by authors like Tolstoy, where female characters embody moral strength amid adversity.

Related Concepts:

• герой (geroy) - Male hero
• подвиг (podvig) - Feat or heroic act
• спасение (spaseniye) - Rescue or salvation