Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'holiness'

English Word: holiness

Key Russian Translations:

• святость [svʲɪˈtostʲ] - [Formal, Abstract; Used in religious, philosophical, or moral contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in religious texts, discussions on morality, and philosophical writings, but less frequent in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of abstract concepts and Russian noun declensions, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

святость: [svʲɪˈtostʲ]

Note on святость: The initial 'св' is pronounced with a soft 's' sound, and the stress falls on the third syllable. Be mindful of the palatalized 'т' in fast speech, which can sound more like 'tʲ'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The state or quality of being holy, sacred, or morally pure

Translation(s) & Context:

• святость - Used in formal or religious contexts to describe spiritual purity, such as in theological discussions or when referring to divine attributes.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: В христианстве святость считается высшим идеалом для верующих.

  English Translation: In Christianity, holiness is considered the highest ideal for believers.

• Русский пример: Святость этого места привлекает паломников со всего мира.

  English Translation: The holiness of this place attracts pilgrims from all over the world.

• Русский пример: В её глазах отражалась святость, которую она обрела через годы молитв.

  English Translation: In her eyes reflected the holiness she had attained through years of prayer.

• Русский пример: Обсуждение святости в философии часто связано с этическими принципами.

  English Translation: Discussions of holiness in philosophy are often linked to ethical principles.

• Русский пример: Святость жизни святых почитается в русской православной традиции.

  English Translation: The holiness of saints' lives is revered in Russian Orthodox tradition.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Святость is a feminine noun of the third declension in Russian. It follows standard patterns for abstract nouns and does not have irregularities, but it changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This word is invariant in terms of gender and does not have verbal forms, as it is a noun.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • благочестие (blagochestie) - More focused on piety and devotion, often in a religious context.
  • священность (svyashchennost') - Emphasizes sacredness, similar but with a connotation of ritual purity.
• Antonyms:
  • греховность (grekhovnost') - Refers to sinfulness or moral corruption.
  • нечестие (nechestie) - Means ungodliness or lack of piety.

Related Phrases:

• святость жизни - Holiness of life; Used to describe a person's virtuous existence in religious contexts.
• духовная святость - Spiritual holiness; Refers to inner purity in spiritual or mystical discussions.
• святость места - Holiness of a place; Common in descriptions of shrines or holy sites.

Usage Notes:

Святость directly corresponds to the English "holiness" in abstract and religious senses, but it is primarily used in formal, literary, or ecclesiastical contexts rather than everyday conversation. English learners should note that Russian often pairs this word with prepositions like "в" (in) or "о" (about) to discuss states, e.g., "в святости" meaning "in holiness." When choosing between synonyms like благочестие, opt for святость when emphasizing inherent purity rather than acts of devotion. Be aware of its feminine gender, which affects adjective agreements and declensions in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the word without proper declension, e.g., saying "о святость" instead of "о святости" in prepositional case.
  Correct: о святости (about holiness).
  Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case; this error stems from not recognizing the genitive or prepositional forms.
• Mistake: Confusing it with similar words like "святой" (saintly, as an adjective), leading to incorrect usage in nominal contexts.
  Correct: Use "святость" as a noun for the concept, not "святой святость."
  Explanation: "Святой" is an adjective or proper noun, while "святость" is the abstract noun form.
• Mistake: Overusing in casual speech, e.g., translating "that's holy" as "это святость" when a simpler phrase like "это святое" might be better.
  Correct: это святость (for the quality), but prefer context-specific phrases.
  Explanation: English learners often literalize translations, but Russian favors nuanced expressions based on register.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, particularly within the Orthodox Christian tradition, "святость" carries deep connotations of spiritual elevation and divine grace. It is often associated with saints (святые) and holy sites like monasteries, reflecting Russia's historical ties to Eastern Christianity. For instance, the concept is central in festivals like the veneration of saints, where holiness symbolizes moral and spiritual ideals amidst everyday life.

Related Concepts:

• вера (faith)
• бог (God)
• молитва (prayer)
• духовность (spirituality)