Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'humility'

English Word: humility

Key Russian Translations:

• скромность [ˈskromnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, commonly used in everyday and literary contexts]
• смирение [smʲɪˈrʲenʲɪje] - [Formal, often with religious or spiritual connotations]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its variants appear regularly in formal writing, literature, and discussions, but less so in casual spoken language.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; involves abstract concepts and requires understanding of Russian noun declensions. For 'смирение', it may be B2 due to its nuanced, context-dependent usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

скромность: [ˈskromnəsʲtʲ]

смирение: [smʲɪˈrʲenʲɪje]

Note on скромность: The stress falls on the first syllable; be cautious with the soft 'н' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. For смирение, the 'е' at the end is pronounced as a soft 'ye' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The quality of being humble or modest in behavior, attitude, or self-presentation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• скромность - Used in general contexts to describe everyday modesty, such as in personal achievements or social interactions.
• смирение - Applied in more profound or spiritual contexts, like accepting one's limitations or in religious texts.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда проявляет скромность, несмотря на свои успехи.

  He always shows humility, despite his successes.

• Её скромность в разговоре очаровывает всех вокруг.

  Her humility in conversation charms everyone around her.

• В русской литературе смирение часто изображается как добродетель.

  In Russian literature, humility is often depicted as a virtue.

• Смирение помогает преодолеть трудности в жизни.

  Humility helps in overcoming life's difficulties.

• Молодой художник демонстрирует скромность, отказываясь от похвал.

  The young artist displays humility by declining praise.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'скромность' and 'смирение' are feminine nouns in Russian. 'Скромность' follows the third declension pattern, while 'смирение' is also third declension but with some irregularities. Below is a table outlining their key inflections:

Note: These nouns do not change in gender but must agree with adjectives and verbs in number and case. 'Смирение' is less commonly used in plural forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • простота (prostota) - Simplicity, often implying humility in a straightforward manner.
  • непритязательность (nepritjazatel'nost') - Unpretentiousness, used in more formal or artistic contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • гордыня (gordynia) - Pride, with a negative connotation of arrogance.
  • высокомерие (vysokomerie) - Conceit, typically in interpersonal dynamics.

Related Phrases:

• проявлять скромность - To show humility; used to describe demonstrating modest behavior in social situations.
• смирение духа - Humility of spirit; often appears in philosophical or religious texts to denote inner peace.
• скромность в успехе - Humility in success; a common phrase in motivational contexts to emphasize modest reactions to achievements.

Usage Notes:

'Скромность' is the most direct equivalent to 'humility' in everyday English-Russian translation, suitable for general conversations, while 'смирение' carries a deeper, often spiritual undertone and should be used in contexts involving personal growth or faith. Be mindful of the formal register; both words are more common in written Russian than spoken. When choosing between translations, opt for 'скромность' in secular settings and 'смирение' for religious or introspective themes. Grammatically, these nouns require agreement in case and number with accompanying words.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'скромность' with 'смирение': English learners might use 'смирение' interchangeably, but this can sound overly religious. Correct: Use 'скромность' for everyday modesty. Example of error: "Я чувствую смирение в работе" (incorrect for simple workplace humility); Correct: "Я чувствую скромность в работе".
• Incorrect declension: Forgetting to change the ending in different cases, e.g., saying "без скромность" instead of "без скромности". Explanation: Russian nouns must decline; always check the case required by the preposition.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, humility is highly valued, especially in literature and folklore, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy, where characters embody 'смирение' as a path to moral redemption. It contrasts with Western individualism, emphasizing collective harmony and self-restraint, which can help English speakers understand the subtle emotional depth in Russian interpersonal dynamics.

Related Concepts:

• скромный (skromnyy) - Humble (adjective)
• покорность (pokornost') - Submissiveness
• благоразумие (blagorazumie) - Prudence