Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'heroism'

English Word: heroism

Key Russian Translations:

• героизм - /ɡʲɪˈro.ɪzm/ - [Formal, Literary]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary, historical, and formal contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves abstract concepts and requires understanding of Russian nominal forms; suitable for learners with a solid grasp of vocabulary and grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

героизм: /ɡʲɪˈro.ɪzm/

Note on героизм: The stress falls on the second syllable (/ɪˈro/), which is a common feature in Russian words ending in -изм. Be mindful of the soft 'г' sound, which is palatalized.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The quality of being heroic; acts of bravery and self-sacrifice.

Translation(s) & Context:

• героизм - Used in formal, literary, or historical contexts to describe noble, courageous behavior, often in narratives or speeches.

Usage Examples:

• Его героизм во время войны стал легендой.

  His heroism during the war became a legend.

• Героизм простых людей часто остается незамеченным.

  The heroism of ordinary people often goes unnoticed.

• В книге подробно описывается героизм солдат в битве.

  The book describes the heroism of soldiers in battle in detail.

• Героизм матери, спасшей ребенка, тронул всех.

  The heroism of the mother who saved her child touched everyone.

• Современный героизм проявляется в повседневных поступках.

  Modern heroism is manifested in everyday actions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

героизм is a masculine noun ending in -изм, which typically does not inflect for case or number in Russian. It remains unchanged in most contexts, making it straightforward for learners. However, it can be used in various grammatical constructions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • геройство - Similar to heroism but often implies more personal bravery; used in everyday contexts.
  • отвага - Emphasizes courage; more general and can be used interchangeably in some heroic scenarios, but less formal.
• Antonyms:
  • трусость (cowardice) - Directly opposite, implying a lack of bravery.
  • бездействие (inaction) - Refers to failure to act heroically.

Related Phrases:

• Акт героизма - An act of heroism; used to describe a specific brave deed in historical or narrative contexts.
• Героизм в бою - Heroism in battle; common in military or war-related discussions, emphasizing valor under fire.
• Повседневный героизм - Everyday heroism; highlights ordinary acts of courage, often in motivational speeches.

Usage Notes:

героизм directly corresponds to "heroism" in English, focusing on the moral and physical qualities of bravery. It is typically used in formal or literary settings rather than casual conversation, so avoid it in everyday informal speech where simpler terms like отвага might be more appropriate. When translating, consider the context: for historical or epic narratives, героизм fits well, but for personal stories, геройство could be a better match. Grammatically, it functions as an abstract noun and pairs easily with adjectives (e.g., истинный героизм - true heroism). Learners should note that Russian often requires the genitive case for possession, as in "героизм народа" (the heroism of the people).

• Choose героизм for abstract, elevated language to convey depth and admiration.
• In sentences, it can be modified by prepositions like в (in) for contexts, e.g., "в героизме солдата" (in the soldier's heroism).

Common Errors:

One common mistake for English learners is confusing героизм with герой (hero), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, learners might say "Он героизм" instead of "Он проявил героизм" (He showed heroism), which is incomplete. Correct form: Use it as a noun with appropriate verbs like проявить (to show) or описать (to describe). Another error is overusing it in informal contexts; for instance, saying "Мой героизм в работе" when a simpler phrase like "Моя отвага на работе" would be more natural. Always check for case agreement, as in "о героизме" (about heroism) vs. incorrectly saying "о героизм".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, героизм is often associated with historical events like World War II, where figures such as the "герои Советского Союза" (Heroes of the Soviet Union) are celebrated. It carries a strong patriotic connotation, reflecting Russia's emphasis on collective sacrifice and resilience in literature, films, and national holidays like Victory Day. This makes it a word loaded with emotional and historical weight, beyond its literal meaning.

Related Concepts:

• патриотизм (patriotism)
• самопожертвование (self-sacrifice)
• мужество (courage)