Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hope'

English Word: hope

Key Russian Translations:

• надежда [nɐˈdʲeʐdə] - [Noun, Formal, Singular]
• надеяться [nɐˈdʲejɪt͡sə] - [Verb, Infinitive, Informal/Formal]

Frequency: High (Both "надежда" and "надеяться" are commonly used in everyday Russian conversation, literature, and media.)

Difficulty: For "надежда": A2 (Beginner, as it's a basic noun); For "надеяться": B1 (Intermediate, due to verb conjugation patterns.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

надежда: [nɐˈdʲeʐdə]

Note on надежда: The stress is on the second syllable; the 'ж' sound is a soft, palatalized 'zh' which can be tricky for beginners. Pronounce it with a clear 'dʲ' for accuracy.

надеяться: [nɐˈdʲejɪt͡sə]

Note on надеяться: This verb has a reflexive form; focus on the 'й' glide and the final 'tsə' sound. Variations occur in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Noun: A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

Translation(s) & Context:

• надежда - Used in emotional or aspirational contexts, such as personal goals or uncertain situations (e.g., in literature or daily life).

Usage Examples:

• У меня есть надежда на лучшее будущее.

  I have hope for a better future. (This example shows "надежда" in a personal, optimistic context.)

• Надежда умирает последней, но иногда она возвращается.

  Hope dies last, but sometimes it returns. (Illustrates "надежда" in a proverbial or reflective sentence.)

• В трудные времена люди черпают надежду из маленьких побед.

  In difficult times, people draw hope from small victories. (Demonstrates "надежда" with a metaphorical usage.)

• Её надежда на поездку в Москву не оправдалась.

  Her hope for a trip to Moscow was not fulfilled. (Shows "надежда" in a narrative context with potential disappointment.)

Verb: To want something to happen and think that it could happen.

Translation(s) & Context:

• надеяться - Used for expressing wishes or expectations, often in informal conversations or formal writing; can be reflexive.

Usage Examples:

• Я надеюсь, что завтра будет солнечно.

  I hope that tomorrow will be sunny. (Basic usage in everyday weather-related hopes.)

• Мы надеемся на вашу поддержку в этом проекте.

  We hope for your support in this project. (Formal context, showing "надеяться" with an object.)

• Он надеется встретить старых друзей на празднике.

  He hopes to meet old friends at the party. (Social context with infinitive construction.)

• Дети надеются получить подарки на Новый год.

  Children hope to receive gifts on New Year's. (Cultural context, linked to holidays.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "надежда" (feminine noun, first declension):

This noun follows standard feminine patterns with regular declensions. It is invariant in plural forms for some uses but can change by case.

For "надеяться" (imperfective verb, first conjugation):

This verb is reflexive and follows regular patterns with some irregularities in past tense. It conjugates based on person, tense, and aspect.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: вера (faith, often interchangeable in spiritual contexts), ожидание (expectation, more neutral), упование (reliance, slightly more formal)
• Antonyms: отчаяние (despair, used when hope is lost), безнадежность (hopelessness, emphasizing futility)

Related Phrases:

• Потерять надежду - To lose hope (Used in contexts of defeat or resignation.)
• Надеяться на лучшее - To hope for the best (A common optimistic phrase in everyday speech.)
• Вера и надежда - Faith and hope (Often appears in philosophical or religious discussions.)

Usage Notes:

"Надежда" directly corresponds to the noun form of "hope" in English, while "надеяться" aligns with the verb form. Use "надежда" for abstract or emotional expressions, and "надеяться" for actions or desires. Be mindful of context: in formal Russian, pair these with appropriate cases (e.g., genitive for objects of hope). For multiple translations, choose based on whether you're expressing a state (noun) or action (verb). Synonyms like "вера" may carry religious connotations, so select carefully.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "надежда" as a verb, e.g., saying "Я надежда" instead of "Я надеюсь".
  Correct: "Я надеюсь" (I hope). Explanation: "Надежда" is a noun and cannot conjugate; always use the verb form for actions.
• Mistake: Incorrect conjugation, e.g., "Я надеждать" instead of "Я надеюсь".
  Correct: "Я надеюсь". Explanation: English speakers often add endings incorrectly; stick to standard conjugations to avoid sounding unnatural.
• Mistake: Omitting the reflexive particle in "надеяться", though it's inherent.
  Correct: Always use as is. Explanation: This verb is reflexive, so no changes are needed, but ensure it's not confused with non-reflexive verbs.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "надежда" often appears in literature and folklore, such as in Alexander Pushkin's works or the proverb "Надежда умирает последней" (Hope dies last), symbolizing resilience. It reflects the historical optimism in Russian society despite challenges, and is frequently tied to themes of endurance in art and daily life.

Related Concepts:

• оптимизм (optimism)
• вера (faith)
• ожидание (expectation)