Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'idolatry'

English Word: idolatry

Key Russian Translations:

• идолопоклонство [i.dɐ.lɐ.pɐk.lɐn.st.vɐ] - [Formal]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but appears in religious, historical, or literary contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) - Requires familiarity with advanced vocabulary and cultural concepts; suitable for learners with a solid grasp of Russian grammar and vocabulary.

Pronunciation (Russian):

идолопоклонство: [i.dɐ.lɐ.pɐk.lɐn.st.vɐ]

Note on идолопоклонство: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("pɐk"), which can be challenging for English speakers due to the cluster of consonants. Pronounce it slowly to avoid blending sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The worship of idols or excessive admiration of something or someone.

Translation(s) & Context:

• идолопоклонство - Used in formal, religious, or metaphorical contexts to describe blind or excessive devotion, often with negative connotations, such as in critiques of materialism or fanaticism.

Usage Examples:

• В древние времена идолопоклонство было распространено в многих цивилизациях.

  In ancient times, idolatry was widespread in many civilizations.

• Современное идолопоклонство часто проявляется в поклонении знаменитостям.

  Modern idolatry often manifests as worship of celebrities.

• Критики обвиняют эту культуру в идолопоклонстве материальных благ.

  Critics accuse this culture of idolatry towards material possessions.

• Идолопоклонство может привести к потере духовных ценностей.

  Idolatry can lead to the loss of spiritual values.

• В религиозных текстах идолопоклонство осуждается как грех.

  In religious texts, idolatry is condemned as a sin.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Идолопоклонство" is a neuter noun in Russian, which means it follows standard noun declension patterns for gender, number, and case. It is an abstract noun and does not change irregularly, but it can inflect based on grammatical context.

Note: As an abstract concept, the plural form is rarely used. It remains unchanged in its base form for most contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • кумирство (worship of idols or heroes; often used in a more contemporary, secular sense)
  • поклонение идолам (literal worship of idols; more descriptive and less formal)
• Antonyms:
  • атеизм (atheism; implies rejection of any form of worship)
  • скептицизм (skepticism; suggests doubt towards blind devotion)

Related Phrases:

• Современное идолопоклонство - Modern idolatry; refers to excessive admiration in today's society, often with a critical tone.
• Идолопоклонство материальных благ - Idolatry of material goods; highlights the worship of wealth or possessions.
• Религиозное идолопоклонство - Religious idolatry; specifically in the context of faith-based practices.

Usage Notes:

"Идолопоклонство" directly corresponds to the English "idolatry" in its religious and metaphorical senses, but it is more commonly used in formal writing, academic discussions, or historical contexts rather than casual speech. English learners should note that Russian often pairs this word with adjectives to specify the type (e.g., "современное" for modern). Be cautious with gender agreement, as it is a neuter noun. When choosing between synonyms like "кумирство," opt for it in pop culture contexts, while "идолопоклонство" suits deeper philosophical or religious discussions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing it with "идол" (idol) alone, leading to incomplete phrases like "идол" instead of "идолопоклонство."

  Correct: Use "идолопоклонство" for the full concept of worship. Example of error: "Я вижу идол" (I see idol) vs. Correct: "Я вижу идолопоклонство" (I see idolatry). Explanation: "Идол" is just the object, not the act.

• Error: Incorrect declension, such as using the nominative in all cases (e.g., "в идолопоклонство" instead of "в идолопоклонстве").

  Correct: Always adjust for case, e.g., "в идолопоклонстве" in prepositional case. Explanation: This is a common mistake for beginners due to Russian's complex case system.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "идолопоклонство" often carries historical connotations from Orthodox Christianity and critiques of pagan practices in ancient Slavic societies. It can also reflect modern societal issues, such as consumerism, drawing from Soviet-era anti-idolatry rhetoric in literature and propaganda, which emphasized rejecting blind worship in favor of rationalism.

Related Concepts:

• религия (religion)
• вероучение (doctrine)
• фанатизм (fanaticism)