Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'instinct'

English Word: instinct

Key Russian Translations:

• инстинкт [ɪnˈstʲinkt] - [Formal, Used in scientific or psychological contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in academic, biological, and psychological discussions, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves specialized vocabulary; learners at this level can grasp it with context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

инстинкт: [ɪnˈstʲinkt]

Note on инстинкт: The stress is on the second syllable ("stʲin-"). Pay attention to the palatalized 't' sound, which is common in Russian but may be challenging for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation may occur based on regional accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Innate behavior or natural impulse

Translation(s) & Context:

• инстинкт - Used in contexts involving animal behavior, human psychology, or survival instincts, often in formal or educational settings.

Usage Examples:

• У животных есть сильный инстинкт самосохранения.

  Animals have a strong instinct for self-preservation.

• Материнский инстинкт заставляет её заботиться о детёнышах.

  The maternal instinct makes her care for her offspring.

• Инстинкт выживания помог ему преодолеть опасную ситуацию.

  The survival instinct helped him overcome the dangerous situation.

• В экстремальных условиях инстинкт берёт верх над разумом.

  In extreme conditions, instinct takes over reason.

Intuitive feeling or gut reaction

Translation(s) & Context:

• инстинкт - Sometimes used interchangeably with intuition in informal contexts, though it leans more towards biological impulses.

Usage Examples:

• Его инстинкт подсказал, что это плохая идея.

  His instinct told him that it was a bad idea.

• Инстинкт художника позволяет создавать шедевры без предварительного плана.

  The artist's instinct allows creating masterpieces without a prior plan.

• В бизнесе инстинкт часто важнее, чем анализ данных.

  In business, instinct is often more important than data analysis.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Инстинкт" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows standard patterns for borrowed words ending in a consonant. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: As a noun, it does not have verb conjugations. If used in phrases, ensure agreement with adjectives or modifiers.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • интуиция (intuition) - Often used for more cognitive, non-biological instincts; subtle difference in emphasizing mental processes.
  • чувство (feeling) - In informal contexts, for emotional or sensory instincts.
• Antonyms:
  • размышление (reflection) - Implies thoughtful consideration rather than automatic response.
  • рассудок (reason) - Contrasts with instinctive behavior by highlighting logical thinking.

Related Phrases:

• Материнский инстинкт - Maternal instinct; refers to the natural protective behavior of mothers.
• Инстинкт самосохранения - Instinct of self-preservation; a basic drive to survive.
• Животный инстинкт - Animal instinct; used to describe primal behaviors in humans or animals.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "инстинкт" directly corresponds to the English "instinct" in most contexts, particularly in scientific or psychological discussions. It is a formal term and less common in casual speech, where speakers might opt for "чувство" for everyday intuitions. Be mindful of case endings when using it in sentences, as Russian requires nouns to agree with prepositions and other elements. When choosing between "инстинкт" and synonyms like "интуиция," consider the context: use "инстинкт" for biological or innate drives, and "интуиция" for sudden insights.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "инстинкт" with "интуиция": English learners often mix these, thinking they are identical. Error: Using "инстинкт" for purely mental insights (e.g., "Его инстинкт сказал, что это правда" when "интуиция" is better). Correct: "Его интуиция сказала, что это правда." Explanation: "Инстинкт" implies a biological basis, while "интуиция" is more about unexplained knowledge.

• Incorrect case usage: Forgetting to change the case, e.g., saying "Я думаю о инстинкт" instead of "Я думаю о инстинкте." Correct: "Я думаю о инстинкте." Explanation: In the prepositional case, it must end in "е" after prepositions like "о."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "инстинкт" is often discussed in literature and psychology, influenced by thinkers like Ivan Pavlov. For instance, in Russian folklore and stories, animal instincts are portrayed as guiding forces in survival, reflecting a deep appreciation for nature's role in human behavior. This contrasts with some Western views that emphasize reason over instinct.

Related Concepts:

• рефлекс (reflex)
• интуиция (intuition)
• поведение (behavior)