Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'incense'

English Word: incense

Key Russian Translations:

• благовония [bləɡɐˈvonʲɪjə] - [Noun, Plural, Formal; Used in religious or everyday contexts]
• ладан [ˈladən] - [Noun, Singular, Formal; Used specifically in religious or ceremonial contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in cultural, religious, and household discussions, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires basic knowledge of Russian nouns and cases, though the vocabulary itself is not overly complex for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

благовония: [bləɡɐˈvonʲɪjə]

ладан: [ˈladən]

Note on благовония: The stress falls on the third syllable ('vo-'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to Russian's variable stress patterns. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A substance that produces a pleasant odor when burned, often used in religious ceremonies or for aromatherapy.

Translation(s) & Context:

• благовония - Used in general contexts for incense as a plural noun, often implying multiple sticks or types; Common in formal or descriptive writing.
• ладан - Used specifically for incense in Orthodox Christian rituals; More formal and context-specific, often in historical or religious discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В церкви используют благовония во время службы, чтобы создать атмосферу святости.

  In church, they use incense during the service to create an atmosphere of holiness.

• Она зажгла благовония в комнате для релаксации после напряжённого дня.

  She lit incense in the room for relaxation after a stressful day.

• Ладан часто применяется в православных обрядах для символического очищения пространства.

  Incense is often used in Orthodox rituals for the symbolic purification of space.

• В магазине продают различные благовония из Индии и Китая для ароматерапии.

  The store sells various incenses from India and China for aromatherapy.

• Духовенство подносит ладан к алтарю, как часть традиционной литургии.

  The clergy presents incense to the altar as part of the traditional liturgy.

Meaning 2: Figuratively, something that soothes or perfumes the air metaphorically (e.g., in literature or poetry).

Translation(s) & Context:

• благовония - Used metaphorically in poetic or literary contexts to evoke sensory imagery.

Usage Examples:

• Её слова были как благовония, развеивающие грусть в комнате.

  Her words were like incense, dispelling sadness in the room.

• В поэме благовония символизируют вечную красоту природы.

  In the poem, incense symbolizes the eternal beauty of nature.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns, which undergo inflection based on case, number, and gender in Russian. "благовония" is typically plural and neuter, while "ладан" is singular and masculine. Russian nouns follow a declension pattern; these are first-declension nouns with regular changes.

Note: These forms are regular, but learners should pay attention to the plural endings for "благовония" as they can vary in poetic or archaic usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • курения (kureniya) - Similar to smoking or burning substances, often interchangeable in casual contexts.
  • ароматы (aromaty) - More general, used for fragrances, with a subtle difference in emphasizing scent over ritual.
• Antonyms:
  • зловония (zlovoiniya) - Refers to foul odors or stenches, contrasting the pleasant nature of incense.

Related Phrases:

• Едкий дым благовоний - Pungent smoke of incense; Used to describe overwhelming or irritating scents in a negative context.
• Зажигать ладан в храме - Lighting incense in the temple; A phrase common in religious descriptions, implying ritualistic use.
• Аромат благовоний в воздухе - The scent of incense in the air; Often used in literary or sensory descriptions.

Usage Notes:

"Incense" translates most accurately to "благовония" in general contexts, but "ладан" is preferred for religious or historical references, as in Russian Orthodox traditions. Be mindful of the plural form for "благовония," which is more common than its singular counterpart. In formal writing, use these words with appropriate cases to match the sentence structure. For English learners, choose "благовония" for everyday scenarios and "ладан" when discussing cultural or ceremonial topics to ensure precision.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "благовония" in singular form incorrectly, e.g., saying "благовоние" when referring to multiple items. Correct: Stick to plural for general use, as in "благовония используются в ритуалах" instead of the erroneous "благовоние используется."

  Explanation: Russian nouns like this often default to plural in descriptive contexts; confusing singular and plural can alter the meaning.

• Error: Mixing up "ладан" with "курение," assuming they are identical. Correct: "Курение" implies smoking in general, which might not carry the ritualistic connotation; use "ладан" for incense in religious settings.

  Explanation: This error stems from overlapping meanings, but "ладан" is more specific, avoiding ambiguity in cultural discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, particularly within the Orthodox Church, incense like "ладан" holds deep symbolic meaning, representing prayers rising to heaven and spiritual purification. It's commonly used in ceremonies, reflecting historical influences from Byzantine traditions, which can add layers of reverence when encountered in literature or modern practices.

Related Concepts:

• ароматерапия (aromatherapy)
• церковные ритуалы (church rituals)
• духовные практики (spiritual practices)