Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'intimacy'

English Word: intimacy

Key Russian Translations:

• интимность [ɪnˈtʲimnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, used in contexts like relationships and psychology]
• близость [ˈblʲizəsʲtʲ] - [Informal, often in everyday conversations about emotional connections]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, psychological discussions, and personal relationships, but not in casual daily speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it requires understanding of nuanced emotional vocabulary; for 'интимность', it may lean towards B2 due to formal usage, while 'близость' is accessible at B1)

Pronunciation (Russian):

интимность: [ɪnˈtʲimnəsʲtʲ]

Note on интимность: The stress is on the second syllable; the 'тʲ' sound is a palatalized 't', which can be challenging for beginners.

близость: [ˈblʲizəsʲtʲ]

Note on близость: Stress on the first syllable; the 'з' is soft, blending into the following vowel, common in Russian nouns.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Close personal or emotional relationship

Translation(s) & Context:

• интимность - Used in formal or introspective contexts, such as describing deep emotional bonds in literature or therapy.
• близость - Applied in informal settings, like family discussions or friendships, to denote warmth and proximity.

Usage Examples:

• В их отношениях была большая интимность, которая развивалась годами.

  In their relationship, there was great intimacy that developed over years.

• Близость между друзьями иногда важнее, чем романтическая связь.

  Intimacy between friends is sometimes more important than romantic connections.

• Интимность в разговоре позволяет лучше понять собеседника.

  Intimacy in conversation allows for a better understanding of the interlocutor.

• С ростом близости пара начала делиться секретами.

  As intimacy grew, the couple started sharing secrets.

• В семейной жизни интимность проявляется через ежедневные ритуалы.

  In family life, intimacy is shown through daily rituals.

Meaning 2: Private or personal space

Translation(s) & Context:

• интимность - Often used to describe personal privacy, such as in artistic or domestic settings.
• близость - Less common for this meaning, but can imply closeness in a spatial sense, like in crowded environments.

Usage Examples:

• Интимность комнаты помогла ей сосредоточиться на работе.

  The intimacy of the room helped her focus on her work.

• Близость к природе создаёт ощущение интимности в повседневной жизни.

  Proximity to nature creates a sense of intimacy in everyday life.

• Потеря интимности в большом городе заставляет людей искать уединение.

  The loss of intimacy in a big city makes people seek solitude.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'интимность' and 'близость' are feminine nouns in Russian, following the standard declension patterns for first-declension nouns. They are inflected based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table for their key inflections:

Note: These nouns do not have irregular inflections, making them relatively straightforward for learners, but pay attention to the soft endings in certain cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • доверительность (doveritelnost') - Implies trust-based closeness, often in professional contexts.
  • теплота (teplota) - Suggests warmth and affection, more emotional than formal.
• Antonyms:
  • отчуждение (otchuzhdenie) - Distance or alienation, used when emotional barriers exist.
  • отдалённость (otdalennost') - Physical or emotional remoteness.

Related Phrases:

• Личная жизнь (lichnaya zhizn) - Personal life; often used in contexts discussing privacy and intimacy.
• Эмоциональная близость (emotsionalnaya blizost') - Emotional intimacy; a common phrase in relationship advice.
• Интимные отношения (intimnye otnosheniya) - Intimate relationships; refers to close, private connections with potential romantic connotations.

Usage Notes:

• Use 'интимность' for more formal or abstract discussions of intimacy, as it aligns closely with English nuances in psychological or literary contexts; it's less common in casual speech.
• 'Близость' is preferable for everyday scenarios, emphasizing physical or emotional proximity, and can sometimes overlap with English 'closeness' rather than pure 'intimacy'.
• Be mindful of cultural sensitivities: In Russian, these words often imply deeper emotional layers, so avoid direct translations in formal settings without context.
• When choosing between translations, consider the audience; 'интимность' suits written or professional English-to-Russian conversions, while 'близость' fits spoken language.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'интимность' with 'интим' (intim), which means 'intimate' as in sexual or private, leading to misuse in non-romantic contexts. Correct: Use 'интимность' for emotional depth. Example: Incorrect: "Интим в дружбе" (wrong for friendship); Correct: "Близость в дружбе".
• Overusing 'близость' in formal writing, where 'интимность' is more appropriate. Explanation: This can make the text sound too casual; always check the register.
• Forgetting inflections, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Example: Incorrect: "О близость" (wrong genitive); Correct: "О близости".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'интимность' often carry a layer of depth from literary traditions, such as in works by Tolstoy or Chekhov, where emotional intimacy reflects societal values of personal relationships. Unlike in some Western contexts, Russians may emphasize collective intimacy in family settings over individual privacy, influencing how these words are used in modern conversations.

Related Concepts:

• любовь (lyubov') - Love
• дружба (druzhba) - Friendship
• доверие (doverie) - Trust