Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'incarnate'

English Word: incarnate

Key Russian Translations:

• воплощение [və.plɐˈʂɛ.nʲjə] - [Noun, Formal, Singular]
• воплотить [və.plɐˈtʲitʲ] - [Verb, Formal, Infinitive]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its forms are commonly used in literary, philosophical, and religious contexts, but less frequent in everyday casual speech.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate for learners, as it involves understanding abstract concepts and basic noun/verb inflections; separate translations may vary slightly based on context.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

воплощение: [və.plɐˈʂɛ.nʲjə]

Note on воплощение: The 'щ' sound (as in [ʂ]) is a soft, palatalized fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a prolonged 'sh' with a slight hiss. Variations may occur in dialects.

воплотить: [və.plɐˈtʲitʲ]

Note on воплотить: The verb ending '-ить' often softens the preceding consonant; stress is on the third syllable, which is common in Russian verbs. Be mindful of the palatalization in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: As a noun, referring to the embodiment or manifestation of an abstract quality or entity (e.g., "the devil incarnate").

Translation(s) & Context:

• воплощение - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe a physical or metaphorical representation, such as in philosophy or religion.

Usage Examples:

• Это было настоящее воплощение зла в нашем мире.

  This was a true incarnation of evil in our world.

• Воплощение мечты – это то, к чему стремится каждый художник.

  The incarnation of a dream is what every artist strives for.

• Его выступление стало воплощением грации и силы.

  His performance became the incarnation of grace and strength.

• Воплощение древних легенд оживает в этом музее.

  The incarnation of ancient legends comes alive in this museum.

Meaning 2: As a verb, meaning to embody or give concrete form to something abstract (e.g., "to incarnate a character in a film").

Translation(s) & Context:

• воплотить - Applied in creative or philosophical contexts, such as art, literature, or personal development, often implying transformation.

Usage Examples:

• Актеру удалось воплотить героя в жизнь на сцене.

  The actor managed to incarnate the hero in real life on stage.

• Мы должны воплотить наши идеи в практические проекты.

  We must incarnate our ideas into practical projects.

• Художник воплотил абстрактные эмоции в яркие цвета.

  The artist incarnated abstract emotions into vibrant colors.

• Эта реформа воплотит принципы равенства в общество.

  This reform will incarnate principles of equality in society.

• Писатель попытался воплотить исторические события в романе.

  The writer tried to incarnate historical events in the novel.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

воплощение is a neuter noun in Russian, which follows standard third-declension patterns with some irregularities. воплотить is a verb of the first conjugation.

Note: воплощение does not change in gender but inflects for case and number as shown. Verbs like воплотить are aspectually perfective, meaning they denote completed actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • эмблема (emblema) - More literal, used for symbols.
  • проявление (proyavleniye) - Emphasizes outward expression.
  • осуществление (osushchestvleniye) - For implementation or realization.
• Antonyms:
  • отрицание (otritsaniye) - Denial or negation.
  • абстракция (abstraktsiya) - Remaining abstract without embodiment.

Related Phrases:

• Воплощение идеи - Embodiment of an idea (Refers to bringing a concept to life in a tangible form.)
• Воплотить в жизнь - To incarnate in life (Common in motivational or creative contexts, meaning to make something real.)
• Живое воплощение - Living incarnation (Used for people or things that perfectly represent an idea, e.g., in literature.)

Usage Notes:

incarnate corresponds closely to воплощение as a noun and воплотить as a verb in Russian, but usage depends on context: use воплощение for static embodiments (e.g., religious or philosophical) and воплотить for dynamic actions. In formal writing, these words are preferred over casual alternatives. Be cautious with verb aspects; воплотить is perfective, implying completion, so pair it with future or past tenses appropriately. When choosing between translations, opt for воплощение in singular nominative for general descriptions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing the noun and verb forms, e.g., using воплощение as a verb. Correct: Use воплотить for actions. Example of error: "Я воплощение мою идею" (incorrect). Correct: "Я воплотил мою идею." Explanation: Russian verbs must agree in person, number, and aspect; misuse can lead to grammatical errors.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., saying "воплощениям" in the wrong case. Correct: Ensure proper case agreement, as in "в воплощении идеи" (prepositional case). Explanation: English speakers often overlook Russian's complex case system, which affects word endings based on sentence role.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like воплощение are deeply tied to Orthodox Christian theology, where it refers to the Incarnation of Christ (Воплощение Христа). This adds a layer of spiritual connotation, making it more profound in literary and artistic expressions, unlike the more neutral English usage.

Related Concepts:

• эманация (emanasiya)
• инкарнация (inkarnatsiya) - Directly borrowed from English/Latin contexts
• проявить (proyavit')