Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'infidel'

English Word: infidel

Key Russian Translations:

• неверный /nʲɪˈvʲɛrnɨj/ - [Formal, often used in religious or historical contexts]
• язычник /ˈjazɨtɕnʲik/ - [Formal, specifically implying pagan or non-monotheistic beliefs]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in religious, historical, or literary texts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of religious and cultural nuances, as well as basic Russian adjective declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неверный: /nʲɪˈvʲɛrnɨj/

язычник: /ˈjazɨtɕnʲik/

Note on неверный: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'н' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Note on язычник: Pronounce the 'я' as a soft 'ya' sound; this word has a more archaic feel in modern Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person who does not believe in a particular religion, often with a derogatory connotation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• неверный - Used in formal or historical discussions about religious differences, such as in debates or texts about faith.
• язычник - Applied specifically to someone following non-Abrahamic religions, like in ancient or ethnographic contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В средние века неверный часто считался врагом. (In the Middle Ages, an infidel was often considered an enemy.)

  English: In the Middle Ages, an infidel was often considered an enemy.

• Он назвал её язычницей за её убеждения. (He called her an infidel because of her beliefs.)

  English: He called her an infidel because of her beliefs. This example shows the word in a interpersonal conflict.

• В исторических текстах неверные описываются как угроза. (In historical texts, infidels are described as a threat.)

  English: In historical texts, infidels are described as a threat. Here, it's used in a plural, formal context.

• Язычник в этой истории символизирует потерянность. (The infidel in this story symbolizes lostness.)

  English: The infidel in this story symbolizes lostness. This demonstrates metaphorical usage.

• Не считая себя неверным, он изучал другие религии. (Not considering himself an infidel, he studied other religions.)

  English: Not considering himself an infidel, he studied other religions. This shows self-reflection in a sentence.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "неверный" and "язычник" are adjectives and nouns respectively, with specific inflections in Russian. "Неверный" is an adjective that declines based on gender, number, and case. "Язычник" is a masculine noun that also declines.

Note: These words follow standard Russian adjective and noun declension patterns, with no irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • идолопоклонник (idolater; implies worship of false gods)
  • атеист (atheist; more neutral, for non-believers)
• Antonyms:
  • верующий (believer; directly opposite in religious context)
  • правоверный (orthodox or faithful)

Related Phrases:

• неверный в вере - (Unfaithful in faith; used to describe someone who has strayed from religion.)
• язычник из далёких земель - (An infidel from distant lands; common in historical narratives.)
• борьба с неверными - (Struggle against infidels; often in contexts of crusades or conflicts.)

Usage Notes:

"Infidel" translates to "неверный" or "язычник" in Russian, but these words carry strong historical and religious connotations, often implying hostility. Use "неверный" in formal or written contexts, such as literature or debates, and avoid it in casual speech to prevent offense. "Язычник" is more specific to pagan beliefs. When choosing between translations, consider the exact religious context: "неверный" for general non-believers and "язычник" for pre-Christian or non-monotheistic faiths. Grammatically, always decline these words according to Russian case rules for accurate usage.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "неверный" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я видел неверный" instead of "Я видел неверного" in accusative case.

  Correct: Я видел неверного. (Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in case, number, and gender with the noun they modify.)

• Error: Confusing "неверный" with "неверно" (which means "incorrectly" as an adverb).

  Correct: For "infidel," use the adjective form; e.g., "Он неверный" not "Он неверно." (Explanation: This mix-up can change the meaning entirely.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "неверный" and "язычник" are rooted in historical contexts such as the Russian Orthodox Church's interactions with other faiths during the Middle Ages and Imperial Russia. They often carry echoes of crusades and religious conflicts, potentially evoking sensitivity in modern discussions about interfaith relations. Understanding these words requires awareness of Russia's religious history, where Orthodoxy has been a defining element.

Related Concepts:

• вероотступник (apostate)
• еретик (heretic)
• иноземец (foreigners, often with religious undertones)