Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'infatuation'

English Word: infatuation

Key Russian Translations:

• влюбленность /vlʲʉˈblʲenːəsʲtʲ/ - [Formal, Noun; Used in emotional or psychological contexts]
• страстное влечение /ˈstrastnəje vlʲɪˈt͡ɕenʲije/ - [Informal, Phrase; Used when emphasizing intensity, often in literature or casual speech]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, psychology, and everyday conversations about relationships, but not as frequent as basic emotion words like "любовь").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of noun declensions and emotional vocabulary; for "влюбленность", it's straightforward, but "страстное влечение" may involve adjective agreement, increasing complexity).

Pronunciation (Russian):

влюбленность: /vlʲʉˈblʲenːəsʲtʲ/

Note on влюбленность: The stress is on the second syllable; be mindful of the soft 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a clear palatalization.

страстное влечение: /ˈstrastnəje vlʲɪˈt͡ɕenʲije/

Note on страстное влечение: The 'ч' in "влечение" is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish "loch"; stress falls on the first syllable of each word.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A strong but short-lived passion or admiration for someone, often irrational or superficial.

Translation(s) & Context:

• влюбленность - Used in formal or introspective contexts, such as describing teenage crushes or fleeting attractions in novels.
• страстное влечение - Applied in informal settings, like casual conversations about intense but temporary desires.

Usage Examples:

• Его влюбленность в актрису длилась всего несколько недель.

  His infatuation with the actress lasted only a few weeks.

• Эта страстное влечение к новому хобби быстро прошло, как и многие его предыдущие.

  This passionate infatuation with the new hobby faded quickly, like many of his previous ones.

• Подростковая влюбленность часто приводит к идеализации человека.

  Teenage infatuation often leads to idealizing the person.

• Её страстное влечение к музыканту было видно по всему, но оно не устояло перед реальностью.

  Her passionate infatuation with the musician was obvious, but it didn't withstand reality.

• Влюбленность может быть приятной, но она редко бывает долгосрочной.

  Infatuation can be enjoyable, but it is rarely long-term.

Meaning 2: An intense but unreasoned attraction to something non-romantic, like an idea or object.

Translation(s) & Context:

• влюбленность - Extended metaphorically in contexts like art or philosophy, emphasizing emotional over rational appeal.
• страстное влечение - Used for more dynamic, action-oriented attractions, such as in sports or hobbies.

Usage Examples:

• Его влюбленность в современное искусство повлияла на всю его карьеру.

  His infatuation with modern art influenced his entire career.

• Страстное влечение к путешествиям заставило её бросить всё и отправиться в кругосветное приключение.

  Her passionate infatuation with traveling made her quit everything and embark on a world adventure.

• Влюбленность в новую технологию часто приводит к импульсивным покупкам.

  Infatuation with new technology often leads to impulsive purchases.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "влюбленность" (a feminine noun of the third declension), it follows standard patterns for abstract nouns. It is inflected for case and number but has no irregularities.

For "страстное влечение" (an adjective-noun phrase), "страстное" agrees with the noun and changes based on gender, number, and case. "Влечение" is a neuter noun with standard inflections. It does not have unique irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пылкая любовь (implies a more fiery, passionate form, often used in poetic contexts)
  • кратковременная страсть (emphasizes brevity, suitable for casual descriptions)
• Antonyms:
  • ненависть (hatred, direct opposite in emotional intensity)
  • равнодушие (indifference, contrasting with the passion involved)

Related Phrases:

• Мгновенная влюбленность - A sudden infatuation, often used to describe love at first sight.
• Страстное влечение к кому-то - Passionate attraction to someone, highlighting intense but fleeting desire.
• Преходящая влюбленность - Transient infatuation, emphasizing its temporary nature in psychological discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Влюбленность" directly corresponds to "infatuation" in English, capturing its temporary and often irrational quality, while "страстное влечение" adds a layer of intensity. Use "влюбленность" in formal writing or when discussing emotions maturely, as it's more neutral. In informal speech, "страстное влечение" might be preferred for its vividness. Be cautious with noun declensions in sentences; for example, always adjust for case when using prepositions. When choosing between translations, opt for "влюбленность" if the context is purely emotional, and "страстное влечение" if physical attraction is implied.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "влюбленность" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я испытываю влюбленность к" instead of "Я испытываю влюбленность к кому-то" (correct: "Я испытываю влюбленность к кому-то" – ensure genitive case).
  Correct: "Его влюбленность к актрисе" (genitive for the object of infatuation).
  Explanation: English speakers often overlook Russian case requirements, leading to grammatical errors.
• Mistake: Confusing it with "любовь" (love), treating "влюбленность" as permanent.
  Correct: "Это была всего лишь влюбленность, а не настоящая любовь."
  Explanation: "Infatuation" is temporary, so avoid equating it with enduring love to prevent miscommunication in relationships or stories.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "влюбленность" is often depicted in literature and films as a youthful, idealistic phase, as seen in works by Tolstoy or Chekhov. It carries a romantic connotation but is contrasted with deeper "любовь," reflecting cultural values of enduring commitment over fleeting passion. This distinction can help English speakers understand why Russians might view infatuations as less serious or more whimsical.

Related Concepts:

• любовь (love)
• страсть (passion)
• идеализация (idealization)