Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'immortal'

English Word: immortal

Key Russian Translations:

• бессмертный (bʲɪsʲˈmʲɛrtnɨj) - [Formal, Adjective]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature, historical contexts, and formal discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions and vocabulary related to abstract concepts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бессмертный: bʲɪsʲˈmʲɛrtnɨj

Note on бессмертный: The stress is on the third syllable. Pay attention to the soft sign (ь) which affects the pronunciation of the preceding consonant, making it palatalized.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not subject to death; living forever or eternally

Translation(s) & Context:

• бессмертный - Used in formal, literary, or philosophical contexts to describe something or someone that does not die, such as gods, heroes, or ideas.

Usage Examples:

• Русский герой был бессмертным в памяти народа.

  The Russian hero was immortal in the memory of the people.

• Бессмертные идеи философов продолжают вдохновлять поколения.

  The immortal ideas of philosophers continue to inspire generations.

• В мифологии боги часто изображаются как бессмертные существа.

  In mythology, gods are often depicted as immortal beings.

• Его бессмертное наследие оставило след в истории.

  His immortal legacy left a mark in history.

Meaning 2: Figuratively, something that lasts forever or is unforgettable

Translation(s) & Context:

• бессмертный - Applied in poetic or emotional contexts, such as art, music, or personal achievements that endure over time.

Usage Examples:

• Эта песня стала бессмертной классикой русской музыки.

  This song became an immortal classic of Russian music.

• Бессмертный шедевр писателя читают по всему миру.

  The writer's immortal masterpiece is read around the world.

• В её глазах отразилось бессмертное сияние любви.

  In her eyes, the immortal glow of love was reflected.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Бессмертный is an adjective in Russian, which means it inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard first-declension pattern for adjectives. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вечный (vechnyy) - Emphasizes eternity or permanence, often used in similar contexts but with a connotation of timelessness.
  • неумирающий (neyumirayushchiy) - Less common, used for literal immortality in myths or stories.
• Antonyms:
  • смертный (smertnyy) - Directly opposite, meaning mortal or subject to death.
  • временный (vremennyy) - Meaning temporary, highlighting the contrast in duration.

Related Phrases:

• Бессмертный полк (Bessmertnyy polk) - A phrase referring to the Immortal Regiment movement, a Russian commemorative event for WWII veterans; used in patriotic contexts.
• Бессмертное наследие (Bessmertnoye naslyediye) - Meaning an immortal legacy, often applied to cultural or historical figures.
• Бессмертный подвиг (Bessmertnyy podvig) - Refers to an immortal deed or heroic act that is remembered forever.

Usage Notes:

Бессмертный is a formal adjective and is most commonly used in literary, historical, or philosophical discussions rather than casual conversation. It directly corresponds to the English "immortal" in its literal and figurative senses, but English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify. For example, choose the appropriate form based on the noun (e.g., бессмертный for masculine singular). When selecting among translations, use бессмертный for enduring fame or eternity, but consider вечный if the emphasis is on timelessness without the death connotation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the base form "бессмертный" without declension, e.g., saying "герой бессмертный" instead of "герой бессмертный" in nominative, but forgetting to change for other cases like genitive ("героя бессмертного").

  Correct Usage: Ensure the adjective agrees with the noun; for example, "у героя бессмертного наследия" (of the hero's immortal legacy).

  Explanation: Russian requires adjective-noun agreement, which is a common pitfall for English learners used to invariant adjectives.

• Error: Confusing it with synonyms, e.g., using "вечный" when "immortal" specifically implies undying nature.

  Correct Usage: Use бессмертный for contexts involving death and eternity, as in "immortal soul," to avoid semantic overlap.

  Explanation: While synonyms exist, they carry subtle differences that can alter the meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "immortality" often ties to historical events like World War II, as seen in the "Immortal Regiment" marches. This reflects a deep cultural emphasis on remembering heroes and preserving national memory, where words like бессмертный carry emotional and patriotic weight beyond their literal meaning.

Related Concepts:

• вечность (vechnost') - Eternity
• герой (geroy) - Hero
• наследие (naslyediye) - Legacy