Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'inferno'

English Word: inferno

Key Russian Translations:

• ад [at] - [Formal, used in literary or religious contexts]
• инферно [in'fʲernə] - [Informal, often in modern or borrowed literary contexts, such as references to Dante's work]

Frequency: Medium - The word is not everyday vocabulary but appears in literature, media, and discussions of religion or disasters.

Difficulty: B2 - Intermediate level, as it involves understanding metaphorical language and basic Russian noun declensions; for 'ад', it's straightforward, while 'инферно' may require familiarity with loanwords.

Pronunciation (Russian):

ад: [at]

Note on ад: The 'д' is a soft consonant, pronounced like a quick 'd' with a subtle palatalization, which can be tricky for English speakers. Stress falls on the first syllable.

инферно: [in'fʲernə]

Note on инферно: This is a borrowed word, so pronunciation closely follows English influences; the 'ф' is a voiceless labiodental fricative, and the stress is on the second syllable. Variations may occur in regional accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A place or state of great suffering, often metaphorical for hell or extreme torment (e.g., Dante's Inferno).

Translation(s) & Context:

• ад - Used in formal, religious, or literary contexts to describe a hellish state, such as in theological discussions or metaphorical descriptions of suffering.
• инферно - Applied in modern or specific literary contexts, like adaptations of Dante, to denote a structured or narrative hell.

Usage Examples:

• В аду пылают вечные огни, и души грешников мучаются вечно.

  In the inferno, eternal fires blaze, and the souls of sinners suffer forever. (This example shows 'ад' in a religious metaphor.)

• После аварии на заводе образовалось настоящее инферно из огня и дыма.

  After the factory accident, a real inferno of fire and smoke formed. (Here, 'инферно' is used informally for a large fire or disaster.)

• Его жизнь превратилась в ад из-за постоянных проблем на работе.

  His life turned into an inferno due to constant work problems. (Demonstrates 'ад' in everyday metaphorical usage for emotional suffering.)

• В фильме режиссёра показано инферно, где герои борются с демонами прошлого.

  In the director's film, an inferno is depicted where heroes battle demons from the past. (Illustrates 'инферно' in a narrative or cinematic context.)

Meaning 2: A large, destructive fire or chaotic situation (e.g., a blazing inferno).

Translation(s) & Context:

• ад - Often used metaphorically for an intense fire, emphasizing destruction and heat in dramatic descriptions.
• инферно - Less common but used for vivid, borrowed descriptions of fires in media or fiction.

Usage Examples:

• Пожар в лесу превратился в ад, уничтожив тысячи гектаров.

  The forest fire turned into an inferno, destroying thousands of hectares. (This shows 'ад' in a context of natural disaster.)

• Городской квартал engulfed в инферно после взрыва газа.

  The city block was engulfed in an inferno after the gas explosion. (Uses 'инферно' for a modern, urban fire scenario.)

• В жару лета улицы становились адом из раскалённого асфальта.

  In the summer heat, the streets became an inferno of scorching asphalt. (Highlights 'ад' in a metaphorical environmental context.)

• Спасатели боролись с инферно в высотном здании всю ночь.

  Rescuers battled the inferno in the high-rise building all night. (Demonstrates 'инферно' in emergency response situations.)

• Его кухня превратилась в ад от пережаренного масла.

  His kitchen turned into an inferno from overcooked oil. (Shows 'ад' in a humorous, everyday mishap.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'ад' (a masculine noun in Russian), it follows the standard third-declension pattern for nouns ending in a consonant. It is invariable in the nominative singular but changes in other cases. Below is a declension table:

For 'инферно' (a neuter noun, often treated as indeclinable due to its loanword status), it remains unchanged in most cases: Nominative: инферно; Genitive: инферно; etc. This makes it simpler for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пекло (peklo) - Similar to 'inferno' but more intense, often implying extreme heat or torment.
  • геенна (geenna) - Biblical synonym, used in religious contexts with a slight historical connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • рай (ray) - Heaven or paradise, directly opposite in religious or metaphorical senses.
  • спокойствие (spokoystvo) - Peace or tranquility, contrasting with chaos or fire.

Related Phrases:

• адский огонь (adskiy ogon') - Hellfire; a phrase used for intense flames or metaphorical destruction. (Refers to an overwhelming fire or passion.)
• впадать в ад (vpadat' v ad) - To descend into hell; means to enter a state of extreme suffering or chaos. (Common in emotional or dramatic contexts.)
• инферно страданий (in'ferno stradanij) - Inferno of sufferings; a literary phrase for profound torment. (Often used in poetry or novels.)

Usage Notes:

'Ад' is the most direct and formal translation for 'inferno' in religious or metaphorical contexts, closely aligning with English usage in literature like Dante's work. However, 'инферно' is preferred for direct borrowings or modern adaptations to maintain the original flavor. Be mindful of context: 'ад' can sound dramatic or archaic in everyday speech, while 'инферно' is more neutral. Grammatically, both are nouns, so they require appropriate case agreement in sentences. When choosing between translations, opt for 'ад' in formal writing and 'инферно' in casual or pop culture references.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse 'ад' by treating it as an indeclinable word, e.g., saying "в ад" incorrectly in other cases. Correct usage: In genitive, it should be "ада" (e.g., "страх ада" instead of "страх ад").
• Confusing pronunciation: Learners might harden the 'д' in 'ад', making it sound like [ad] instead of the soft [at]. Error example: Pronouncing it as in English "add"; correct: Listen to native audio and practice the soft consonant.
• Overusing 'инферно' in formal contexts: It's a loanword, so it may sound out of place in traditional Russian texts. Error: Saying "в инферно" for a religious discussion; better: Use 'в аду' for authenticity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'ад' carries strong associations with Orthodox Christianity, often depicted in icons and literature as a place of fire and punishment, similar to Western traditions. References to 'инферно' might evoke Dante's "Divine Comedy," which has influenced Russian literature through translations and adaptations, highlighting themes of sin, redemption, and human suffering.

Related Concepts:

• геенна (geenna)
• пекло (peklo)
• рай (ray)
• апокалипсис (apokalipsis)