Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'incorporeal'

English Word: incorporeal

Key Russian Translations:

• нематериальный /nʲɪmətʲɪˈrʲalʲnɨj/ - [Formal, used in academic or philosophical contexts]
• бесплотный /bʲɪsˈplotnɨj/ - [Literary, Formal, often in supernatural or poetic contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation; more prevalent in specialized texts like philosophy or literature.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for нематериальный; C1 (Advanced) for бесплотный, as the latter involves more nuanced literary usage and irregular inflections.

Pronunciation (Russian):

нематериальный: /nʲɪmətʲɪˈrʲalʲnɨj/

Note on нематериальный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("rʲalʲ"), which can be tricky for learners due to the soft consonants and palatalization common in Russian adjectives.

бесплотный: /bʲɪsˈplotnɨj/

Note on бесплотный: Pronounce the initial "bʲ" with a soft, palatalized sound, and note the stress on the second syllable; this word often varies slightly in informal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not consisting of matter; immaterial or without a physical form (e.g., in philosophy, spirituality, or abstract concepts).

Translation(s) & Context:

• нематериальный - Used in formal, scientific, or philosophical discussions, such as describing abstract ideas or non-physical entities.
• бесплотный - Applied in literary or supernatural contexts, like ghosts or ethereal beings, often evoking a sense of mystery.

Usage Examples:

• В философии душа часто рассматривается как нематериальный элемент человеческого существа.

  In philosophy, the soul is often considered as an incorporeal element of the human being.

• Призраки в этой истории представлены как бесплотные фигуры, блуждающие по замку.

  Ghosts in this story are depicted as incorporeal figures wandering through the castle.

• Нематериальный аспект искусства делает его вечным, несмотря на физическое разрушение творений.

  The incorporeal aspect of art makes it eternal, despite the physical destruction of creations.

• Бесплотный голос эха разносился по пещере, пугая исследователей.

  The incorporeal voice of the echo echoed through the cave, frightening the explorers.

• Многие религии утверждают, что божество имеет нематериальный характер, недоступный для органов чувств.

  Many religions assert that a deity has an incorporeal nature, inaccessible to the senses.

Meaning 2: Lacking tangible presence, often metaphorically (e.g., in legal or abstract discussions).

Translation(s) & Context:

• нематериальный - Common in legal contexts, such as intellectual property.
• бесплотный - Less common here, but used poetically for intangible rights or concepts.

Usage Examples:

• Интеллектуальная собственность — это нематериальный актив, защищаемый законом.

  Intellectual property is an incorporeal asset protected by law.

• Бесплотные обещания политиков редко приводят к реальным изменениям.

  Incorporeal promises from politicians rarely lead to real changes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are adjectives and follow standard Russian adjective declension patterns, which are regular but require attention to gender, number, and case. Нематериальный is a standard first-conjugation adjective, while бесплотный follows similar rules with slight irregularities in soft stems.

For бесплотный (similar structure):

These adjectives do not have irregular forms but must agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • духовный (spiritual) - More religious connotation, often interchangeable in philosophical contexts.
  • абстрактный (abstract) - Used when emphasizing intangibility in ideas.
• Antonyms:
  • материальный (material) - Direct opposite, referring to physical or tangible things.
  • телесный (bodily) - Emphasizes physical form, common in medical or everyday contexts.

Related Phrases:

• нематериальный мир - The incorporeal world; refers to spiritual or metaphysical realms.
• бесплотные существа - Incorporeal beings; often used for ghosts or spirits in folklore.
• нематериальные активы - Incorporeal assets; in business, meaning intellectual property.

Usage Notes:

"Incorporeal" directly corresponds to нематериальный in formal contexts like philosophy or law, where precision is key. Use бесплотный for more evocative, literary scenarios to convey a sense of mystery or otherworldliness. Be mindful of grammatical agreement: always decline the adjective to match the noun's gender, number, and case. For English learners, choose нематериальный for everyday advanced vocabulary and бесплотный for reading Russian literature, as the latter may carry cultural nuances not fully captured in English equivalents.

Common Errors:

• Confusing нематериальный with материальный: Learners might mistakenly use нематериальный when meaning "material," leading to opposites in meaning. Correct usage: Say "нематериальный объект" for an incorporeal object, not for physical ones.

• Forgetting declension: A common error is using the base form in all cases, e.g., saying "в нематериальный" instead of "в нематериальном" for locative case. Correct: "В нематериальном мире" (In the incorporeal world).

• Overusing бесплотный in non-literary contexts: This can sound overly dramatic; instead, opt for нематериальный in scientific writing to avoid misinterpretation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like бесплотный often appear in folklore and literature, such as in stories of Slavic mythology where incorporeal spirits (e.g., domovoi or rusalka) play key roles. This reflects a deep historical interest in the supernatural, contrasting with Western philosophical traditions, and can help English speakers appreciate the poetic depth of Russian language in exploring the intangible.

Related Concepts:

• дух (spirit)
• душа (soul)
• абстракция (abstraction)