Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'idealism'

English Word: idealism

Key Russian Translations:

• идеализм [ɪdʲɪˈalʲɪzm] - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in philosophical, academic, and intellectual discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with abstract concepts and Russian noun declensions, suitable for learners with a solid intermediate grasp of vocabulary and grammar).

Pronunciation (Russian):

идеализм: [ɪdʲɪˈalʲɪzm]

Note on идеализм: The stress falls on the third syllable ("al"), and the initial "и" is a soft vowel sound. Be mindful of the palatalized "дʲ" which can be challenging for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The philosophical or ideological pursuit of high ideals, often unrealistically.

Translation(s) & Context:

• идеализм - Used in formal contexts like philosophy, literature, or debates to describe the belief in perfect ideals over practical realities.

Usage Examples:

• В его философии преобладал идеализм, игнорирующий реальные проблемы общества.

  In his philosophy, idealism prevailed, ignoring the real problems of society.

• Молодежь часто вдохновляется идеализмом, но сталкивается с прагматизмом взрослой жизни.

  Youth is often inspired by idealism but encounters the pragmatism of adult life.

• Идеализм писателей XIX века повлиял на развитие русской литературы.

  The idealism of 19th-century writers influenced the development of Russian literature.

• Её политический идеализм привел к разочарованию, когда идеалы не были реализованы.

  Her political idealism led to disappointment when the ideals were not realized.

• В эпоху перемен идеализм может стать мощным двигателем социальных изменений.

  In times of change, idealism can become a powerful driver of social change.

A practical approach emphasizing principles over material concerns.

Translation(s) & Context:

• идеализм - Applied in everyday contexts to denote moral or ethical idealism, such as in personal development or social activism.

Usage Examples:

• Его идеализм проявляется в повседневных решениях, ориентированных на справедливость.

  His idealism shows in everyday decisions oriented towards justice.

• Идеализм учит нас стремиться к лучшему миру, несмотря на трудности.

  Idealism teaches us to strive for a better world, despite difficulties.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Идеализм" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows standard noun inflection patterns for Russian, with changes based on case and number. As a loanword from Greek via English, it is invariable in plural forms in most contexts but declines in singular for cases.

Note: The plural forms are less common and typically used in academic or specialized discussions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • идеалистичность (ideality; emphasizes the quality of being idealistic, often in a more personal context)
  • романтизм (romanticism; similar in evoking lofty ideals, but with a connotation of emotion)
• Antonyms:
  • прагматизм (pragmatism; focuses on practical outcomes over ideals)
  • реализм (realism; emphasizes facing reality without idealization)

Related Phrases:

• философский идеализм - A philosophical approach emphasizing ideas over material reality; often used in academic settings.
• политический идеализм - Idealism in politics, referring to utopian visions in governance or social reform.
• идеализм молодости - The idealism of youth, highlighting how young people often hold lofty aspirations.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "идеализм" directly corresponds to the English "idealism" in philosophical and ideological contexts, but it carries a slightly more formal tone. Use it in written or spoken discourse involving ethics, politics, or literature. Be cautious with context: in everyday Russian, it might sound overly intellectual, so pair it with explanations for clarity. When choosing between translations, "идеализм" is the most precise for abstract concepts, while synonyms like "идеалистичность" suit personal traits. Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian case rules to fit sentence structure.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "идеализм" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я верю в идеализм" when it should be "Я верю в идеализм" (correct as is in nominative, but error in other cases like "о идеализм" instead of "об идеализме").

  Correct: Обсуждая идеализм, мы должны учитывать его недостатки. (Explanation: Always use the prepositional case after prepositions like "об".)

• Error: Confusing it with "идеал" (ideal), leading to misuse like treating "идеализм" as a simple synonym without understanding its broader implications.

  Correct: Идеализм — это не просто идеал, а система убеждений. (Explanation: "Идеализм" refers to a doctrine, while "идеал" is a singular concept; learners should differentiate to avoid oversimplification.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "идеализм" is often linked to the intellectual traditions of 19th-century Russian literature, such as in the works of Dostoevsky or Tolstoy, where it represents a tension between lofty moral ideals and the harsh realities of life. This reflects a broader cultural theme in Russia of aspiring to utopian visions amidst historical challenges, like the revolutionary periods, making it a word rich in emotional and historical depth for native speakers.

Related Concepts:

• романтизм
• утопизм
• философия