Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'iconoclast'

English Word: iconoclast

Key Russian Translations:

• иконоборец [i.kɐ.nɐˈbo.rʲɪts] - [Formal, Historical context]
• нонконформист [nɐn.kɐn.fɐrˈmʲist] - [Informal, Modern usage]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday conversation; it's more prevalent in historical, religious, or academic discussions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and historical vocabulary. For 'иконоборец', it's B2 due to its specific cultural connotations; for 'нонконформист', it might be slightly easier at B1.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

иконоборец: [i.kɐ.nɐˈbo.rʲɪts]

нонконформист: [nɐn.kɐn.fɐrˈmʲist]

Note on иконоборец: The stress falls on the third syllable ('bo'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the rolled 'r' sound. Pronunciation may vary slightly in different Russian dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person who attacks or seeks to destroy traditional beliefs, customs, or institutions, often in a religious or social context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• иконоборец - Used in formal or historical contexts, such as discussing religious reforms or iconoclasm in Byzantine history.
• нонконформист - Applied in modern, informal settings to describe someone challenging societal norms, like in contemporary art or politics.

Usage Examples:

• Он был известным иконоборцем в эпоху иконоборчества, разрушая священные изображения в церквях.

  He was a famous iconoclast during the iconoclastic period, destroying sacred images in churches.

• Как нонконформист, она всегда выступала против установленных традиций в обществе.

  As an iconoclast, she always spoke out against established traditions in society.

• Иконоборец в современном искусстве часто использует провокационные методы, чтобы бросить вызов нормам.

  An iconoclast in modern art often uses provocative methods to challenge norms.

• Этот писатель — настоящий нонконформист, критикуя авторитеты в своих эссе.

  This writer is a true iconoclast, criticizing authorities in his essays.

Meaning 2: Specifically, a historical figure involved in the destruction of religious icons, as in the Byzantine Iconoclasm.

Translation(s) & Context:

• иконоборец - Primarily used in historical or religious discussions; less common in everyday language.

Usage Examples:

• В VIII веке иконоборцы боролись против поклонения иконам в Византии.

  In the 8th century, iconoclasts fought against the worship of icons in Byzantium.

• Иконоборец император приказал уничтожить все изображения святых в храмах.

  The iconoclast emperor ordered the destruction of all images of saints in the temples.

• Движение иконоборцев повлияло на развитие христианского искусства.

  The iconoclast movement influenced the development of Christian art.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Иконоборец' is a masculine noun (second declension) and follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns. It changes based on case and number. 'Нонконформист' is also a masculine noun with similar patterns.

For 'нонконформист', the inflections are regular and similar: e.g., Nominative singular: нонконформист; Genitive singular: нонконформиста.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • бунтарь (rebel; more general and emotional connotation)
  • революционер (revolutionary; implies organized change)
• Antonyms:
  • конформист (conformist; someone who adheres to norms)
  • традиционалист (traditionalist; emphasizes preservation of customs)

Related Phrases:

• Иконоборческий акт - A destructive act against traditions; often used in historical contexts to describe iconoclastic events.
• Дух нонконформиста - The spirit of a non-conformist; refers to a rebellious attitude in modern discussions.
• Борьба иконоборцев - The struggle of iconoclasts; commonly used in narratives about religious reforms.

Usage Notes:

Use 'иконоборец' when referring to historical or religious contexts, as it directly translates the original meaning of 'iconoclast' from Greek roots. 'Нонконформист' is better for broader, contemporary uses, especially in social or artistic settings. Be mindful of formality: 'иконоборец' is more formal and may sound archaic in casual speech. In Russian, these words often require appropriate case endings based on sentence structure, which can affect meaning subtly.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'иконоборец' with 'иконописец' (icon painter). Correct: 'Иконоборец' means destroyer, while 'иконописец' means creator. Example of error: Saying "Он был иконописцем в церкви" to mean an iconoclast; Correct: "Он был иконоборцем в церкви".

• Error: Using 'нонконформист' in historical contexts where 'иконоборец' is more accurate. Explanation: This can dilute the specific cultural reference; opt for 'иконоборец' in Byzantine history discussions.

Cultural Notes:

The term 'иконоборец' is deeply rooted in Russian and Byzantine history, referring to the Iconoclastic Controversy (8th-9th centuries), where religious icons were destroyed as idols. This reflects broader themes of religious reform and tension between orthodoxy and innovation in Eastern Christianity, helping English speakers understand the cultural weight behind 'iconoclast' in Russian contexts.

Related Concepts:

• ересь (heresy)
• реформация (reformation)
• бунт (rebellion)