Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'homily'

English Word: homily

Key Russian Translations:

• проповедь /prɐˈpovʲɪtʲ/ - [Formal; used in religious or sermon contexts]
• назидательная речь /nɐzʲɪˈdatʲelʲnəjə ˈrʲetɕʲ/ - [Informal; implies a moralistic or instructive talk, often in everyday conversations]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian; more prevalent in religious or literary contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with religious vocabulary and noun declensions, but accessible to learners with a solid intermediate grasp of Russian grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

проповедь: /prɐˈpovʲɪtʲ/ (Stress on the second syllable; note the soft 'в' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

назидательная речь: /nɐzʲɪˈdatʲelʲnəjə ˈrʲetɕʲ/ (Emphasize the 'и' in 'назидательная' for a natural flow; the 'щ' in 'речь' is a soft, hissing sound.)

Note on проповедь: The pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech, with the final 'ь' becoming less distinct. Pay attention to the palatalized consonants for accurate articulation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A religious or moral discourse, often delivered in a sermon.

Translation(s) & Context:

• проповедь - Used in formal religious settings, such as church services, to refer to a sermon with moral or spiritual guidance.
• назидательная речь - Applied in informal or educational contexts, like a lecture with an instructive tone, but less tied to religion.

Usage Examples:

• Воскресная проповедь в церкви всегда начинается с чтения Библии.

  The Sunday homily in church always begins with a reading from the Bible.

• Его назидательная речь на собрании напоминала старую проповедь, полную мудрых советов.

  His instructive talk at the meeting was like an old homily, full of wise advice.

• После проповеди священник ответил на вопросы прихожан о вере.

  After the homily, the priest answered questions from the congregation about faith.

• В школьном уроке литературы учитель прочел отрывок из книги, похожий на назидательную речь.

  In the literature class, the teacher read an excerpt from a book that resembled a homily.

• Проповедь о терпении помогла многим людям в трудные времена.

  The homily on patience helped many people during difficult times.

An extended moral lesson or admonition in non-religious contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• назидательная речь - Common in everyday or professional settings for a cautionary or educational message.

Usage Examples:

• Его назидательная речь на конференции звучала как проповедь о важности экологии.

  His instructive speech at the conference sounded like a homily on the importance of ecology.

• В повседневной беседе родители часто дают детям назидательную речь, чтобы научить их ценностям.

  In everyday conversations, parents often give children a homily-like talk to teach them values.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Проповедь" is a feminine noun in the third declension, which follows regular patterns for most Russian nouns. It changes based on case and number. "Назидательная речь" involves an adjective ("назидательная") and a noun ("речь"), with "речь" being a feminine noun in the third declension.

Note: These forms are regular, but learners should practice the soft endings (e.g., 'и' in genitive) to avoid errors.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • лекция (lecture; more neutral and educational, less moralistic)
  • поучение (instruction; implies direct teaching with a moral tone)
• Antonyms:
  • критика (criticism; focuses on fault-finding rather than moral guidance)
  • развлечение (entertainment; opposite in tone, as it lacks seriousness)

Related Phrases:

• Проповедь на тему веры - A homily on the topic of faith (used in religious discussions to elaborate on spiritual themes).
• Назидательная речь о морали - An instructive talk about morality (common in educational or parental contexts for ethical guidance).
• Духовная проповедь - Spiritual homily (emphasizes the soul-nourishing aspect in Orthodox traditions).

Usage Notes:

"Проповедь" directly corresponds to the religious sense of "homily" and is best used in formal, ecclesiastical contexts, such as Russian Orthodox services. In contrast, "назидательная речь" is more versatile for everyday moral lessons but should be avoided in strictly religious settings to prevent sounding overly casual. English learners should note that Russian nouns like these require case agreement, so always adjust based on sentence structure (e.g., use genitive for possession). When choosing between translations, opt for "проповедь" if the context is spiritual, and "назидательная речь" for secular admonitions.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "проповедь" in non-religious contexts, e.g., saying "Его проповедь на работе" instead of "Его назидательная речь на работе."
  Correct: "назидательная речь" for workplace scenarios, as "проповедь" implies a sermon. Explanation: This error can make speech sound inappropriately religious; always consider the setting to choose the right word.
• Mistake: Forgetting noun declensions, e.g., using nominative "проповедь" in a genitive phrase like "о проповедь" instead of "о проповеди."
  Correct: "о проповеди." Explanation: Russian requires case changes, which English speakers often overlook, leading to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, particularly within the Orthodox Church, a "проповедь" holds significant historical and spiritual weight, often drawing from centuries-old traditions. It may evoke images of iconic figures like Dostoevsky's characters, where homilies serve as vehicles for deep moral introspection. This contrasts with Western interpretations, emphasizing communal and ritualistic elements in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• Молитва (prayer)
• Библейский отрывок (biblical passage)
• Духовное руководство (spiritual guidance)