Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'largesse'

English Word: largesse

Key Russian Translations:

• щедрость /ʂɨˈdʲrəsʲtʲ/ - [Formal, often used in literary or official contexts]
• благотворительность /bləgətʲvɐrʲiˈtʲeɫʲnəsʲtʲ/ - [Formal, emphasizing charitable acts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal writing, literature, and discussions about philanthropy, but less frequent in everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract nouns and formal vocabulary. For 'щедрость', it's B2; for 'благотворительность', it might be C1 due to its length and contextual nuances.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

щедрость: /ʂɨˈdʲrəsʲtʲ/

благотворительность: /bləgətʲvɐrʲiˈtʲeɫʲnəsʲtʲ/

Note on щедрость: The initial 'щ' sound is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to 'sh' in 'she' but more sibilant; be careful with the stress on the second syllable. This word has no major regional variants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Generous gifts, donations, or acts of benevolence, often in a formal or historical context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• щедрость - Used in contexts involving personal or institutional generosity, such as in literature or speeches about charity.
• благотворительность - Applied when emphasizing organized or societal acts of giving, like in modern philanthropy.

Usage Examples:

• Его щедрость к бедным всегда была предметом восхищения в обществе.

  His largesse to the poor was always a subject of admiration in society.

• Благотворительность короля проявилась в раздаче щедрых даров во время праздника.

  The king's largesse was evident in the distribution of generous gifts during the festival.

• Щедрость мецената помогла восстановить исторический музей.

  The patron's largesse helped restore the historical museum.

• В её благотворительности ощущается настоящая щедрость души.

  In her largesse, one senses a true generosity of spirit.

• Щедрость правительства в виде грантов стимулирует научные исследования.

  The government's largesse in the form of grants stimulates scientific research.

Secondary Meaning: Excessive or ostentatious giving, sometimes with undertones of patronage.

Translation(s) & Context:

• щедрость - In ironic or critical contexts, implying over-the-top generosity.
• благотворительность - Less common here, but used when critiquing institutional excess.

Usage Examples:

• Его щедрость часто воспринималась как попытка купить лояльность.

  His largesse was often seen as an attempt to buy loyalty.

• Благотворительность олигарха маскировала его политические мотивы.

  The oligarch's largesse masked his political motives.

• Щедрость в таких масштабах редко бывает бескорыстной.

  Largesse on such a scale is rarely selfless.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'щедрость' and 'благотворительность' are feminine abstract nouns in Russian, which means they decline according to the standard first declension pattern for feminine nouns. They are invariable in form for most uses but change by case and number.

Note: These words do not have gender variations or verbal inflections, as they are nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • благодеяние (blagodeyanie) - More formal, implying benevolent acts; often used interchangeably but with a religious connotation.
  • милосердие (miloseridie) - Emphasizes compassion, suitable for contexts of kindness without excess.
• Antonyms:
  • скупость (skupost') - Greed or stinginess.
  • эгоизм (egoyizm) - Selfishness, contrasting with altruistic giving.

Related Phrases:

• щедрые дары - Generous gifts; used in historical or festive contexts to describe acts of largesse.
• благотворительные фонды - Charitable funds; refers to organizations embodying largesse in modern society.
• проявление щедрости - Display of generosity; a common phrase for showing acts similar to largesse.

Usage Notes:

'Щедрость' directly corresponds to the core meaning of 'largesse' as generous giving, making it the preferred translation in most formal contexts. However, 'благотворительность' is better for organized or institutional scenarios. Be mindful of the formal register; these words are rarely used in casual speech. In Russian, they often appear in genitive or instrumental cases to show possession or means, e.g., 'благодаря щедрости' (thanks to largesse). When choosing between translations, opt for 'щедрость' for personal acts and 'благотворительность' for broader societal ones.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'щедрость' with 'щедрый' (an adjective meaning generous). Error: Using 'щедрый' as a noun, e.g., "Его щедрый" instead of "Его щедрость". Correct: "Его щедрость проявилась в дарах" (His largesse was evident in the gifts). Explanation: 'Щедрость' is a noun, while 'щедрый' describes a person or action.
• Misplacing cases, e.g., using nominative in a genitive context. Error: "Из щедрость" instead of "Из щедрости". Correct: "Из щедрости сердца" (From the largesse of the heart). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case with prepositions and verbs.
• Overusing 'благотворительность' for simple acts. Error: Translating everyday generosity as 'благотворительность'. Correct: Use 'щедрость' for non-institutional contexts. Explanation: This can make the language sound overly formal or mismatched.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'щедрость' are often tied to historical traditions, such as the generosity of tsars or Soviet-era state benevolence, which could imply patronage or political motives. For instance, in literature like Tolstoy's works, largesse reflects moral virtues but also critiques of social inequality, helping users understand the nuanced, sometimes ironic, connotations in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• милость (milost') - Mercy or favor.
• благодарность (blagodarnost') - Gratitude, often linked to receiving largesse.
• филантропия (filantropiya) - Philanthropy, a broader modern equivalent.