Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'incubus'

English Word: incubus

Key Russian Translations:

• инкуб [ɪnˈkub] - [Formal, Literary]

Frequency: Low (This term is rarely used in everyday Russian conversation; it's more common in literary, mythological, or academic contexts.)

Difficulty: Advanced (C1 level or higher, as it involves specialized vocabulary from folklore and requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and cultural references.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

инкуб: [ɪnˈkub]

Note on инкуб: The stress falls on the second syllable, which is typical for many Russian loanwords. Pronounce the 'у' as a short 'u' sound, similar to 'book' in English. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A male demon in folklore believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women

Translation(s) & Context:

• инкуб - Used in formal, literary, or mythological discussions, often in horror literature or cultural studies to describe a seductive male demon from Western folklore.

Usage Examples:

• В средневековых легендах инкуб изображался как злой дух, посещающий спящих женщин.

  In medieval legends, the incubus was depicted as an evil spirit visiting sleeping women.

• Современные писатели часто используют образ инкуба в фантастических романах для создания атмосферы ужаса.

  Modern writers often use the image of the incubus in fantasy novels to create an atmosphere of horror.

• В психологии термин инкуб может метафорически обозначать ночные кошмары или подавляющие силы.

  In psychology, the term incubus can metaphorically refer to nightmares or oppressive forces.

• Художники эпохи Возрождения часто рисовали инкуба как символ искушения и тьмы.

  Renaissance artists often depicted the incubus as a symbol of temptation and darkness.

• В некоторых культурах инкуб ассоциируется с древними мифами, где он играет роль демона-искусителя.

  In some cultures, the incubus is associated with ancient myths where it plays the role of a tempting demon.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Инкуб" is a masculine noun (masc. inanimate) borrowed from Latin via other languages. It follows the standard second-declension pattern for Russian nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This word has regular declensions, making it straightforward for learners, but pay attention to the vowel changes in certain cases, which is common in Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • демон (demon) - More general term, often used interchangeably in mythological contexts.
  • злой дух (evil spirit) - Emphasizes the malevolent aspect, suitable for informal descriptions.
• Antonyms:
  • ангел (angel) - Represents a benevolent opposite in folklore and religious contexts.

Related Phrases:

• инкуб в легендах - (Incubus in legends) A common phrase used in discussions of folklore to refer to its appearances in stories.
• демон-инкуб - (Demon-incubus) A fixed expression in horror genres to specify the type of demon.
• ночной инкуб - (Nightly incubus) Refers to the creature's association with dreams, often in psychological or literary analyses.

Usage Notes:

This translation corresponds closely to the English "incubus" in its mythological sense, but in Russian, it's primarily used in formal or literary contexts rather than everyday speech. Be cautious with gender: "инкуб" is masculine, contrasting with "суккуб" (succubus) for the female version. When choosing between translations, opt for "инкуб" in academic or cultural discussions; for more general terms, "демон" might suffice. Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian case requirements to avoid errors in sentence structure.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "инкуб" with "суккуб": Learners often mix up the gender-specific demons. Incorrect: Using "инкуб" to describe a female demon. Correct: Use "суккуб" for the female counterpart, as in "В мифах есть суккуб, а не инкуб." (In myths, there is a succubus, not an incubus.) Explanation: Russian maintains the gender distinction from the original Latin roots, so accuracy in selection is key.

• Forgetting declensions: A common mistake is leaving "инкуб" undeclined, e.g., saying "Я боюсь инкуб" instead of "Я боюсь инкуба" in the genitive case. Correct: "Я боюсь инкуба" (I fear the incubus). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, so always check the sentence context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "инкуб" draws from Western European folklore, often appearing in translations of foreign literature or in discussions of demonology. It symbolizes themes of temptation and the supernatural, reflecting historical influences from Christianity and medieval tales. Unlike some indigenous Russian myths, it's not deeply rooted in Slavic paganism but is used to explore universal fears of the unknown.

Related Concepts:

• суккуб (succubus)
• демон (demon)
• легенды о духах (legends of spirits)