Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'loneliness'

English Word: loneliness

Key Russian Translations:

• одиночество (/ɐdʲɪˈnoʧʲɪstvə/) - [Neutral, Formal; Used in everyday emotional or psychological contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The concept of loneliness is commonly discussed in literature, psychology, and daily conversations in Russian-speaking contexts.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Involves understanding noun inflections and emotional vocabulary, suitable for learners with basic grammar knowledge.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

одиночество: /ɐdʲɪˈnoʧʲɪstvə/

Note on одиночество: The stress falls on the third syllable ("noʧʲ"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants. Practice with native audio for accurate soft sounds like "ʲ".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The state of being alone and often feeling sad or isolated because of it.

Translation(s) & Context:

• одиночество - Used in contexts describing emotional isolation, such as in personal reflections, literature, or psychological discussions (e.g., in formal writing or conversations about mental health).

Usage Examples:

• Я часто испытываю одиночество в шумном городе, несмотря на толпу вокруг.

  I often feel loneliness in the noisy city, despite the crowd around.

• Одиночество может быть как источником творчества, так и причиной депрессии.

  Loneliness can be both a source of creativity and a cause of depression.

• После развода она боролась с глубоким одиночеством, но со временем обрела новых друзей.

  After the divorce, she struggled with deep loneliness but eventually found new friends.

• В русской литературе одиночество часто изображается как неизбежная часть человеческого опыта.

  In Russian literature, loneliness is often depicted as an inevitable part of the human experience.

• Молодые люди в современном мире иногда выбирают одиночество, чтобы сосредоточиться на личностном росте.

  Young people in the modern world sometimes choose loneliness to focus on personal growth.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Одиночество" is a neuter noun in the second declension, which means it follows standard patterns for Russian nouns. It is invariable in terms of gender but changes by case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • изоляция (izoljacija) - More formal, often implies physical separation.
  • отчуждение (otčuždenie) - Emphasizes emotional detachment, common in philosophical contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • компания (kompanija) - Refers to companionship or social interaction.
  • общение (obščenie) - Means communication or social engagement, highlighting connection.

Related Phrases:

• Чувство одиночества - "Feeling of loneliness; Often used in psychological or emotional discussions to describe inner experiences."
• Борьба с одиночеством - "Struggle against loneliness; Common in contexts of personal development or mental health advice."
• Глубокое одиночество - "Deep loneliness; Implies a profound, intense form of isolation, frequently in literary or dramatic settings."

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "одиночество" directly corresponds to the English "loneliness" but carries a nuanced connotation, often linked to introspection or melancholy in cultural contexts. It is versatile across formal and informal settings but is more common in written or reflective speech. When choosing between synonyms like "изоляция," opt for "одиночество" if the focus is emotional rather than physical. Grammatically, always decline it according to the sentence case (e.g., use genitive for possession: "чувство одиночества"). English learners should note that Russian doesn't always distinguish between temporary and permanent states, so context clarifies intent.

Common Errors:

• Confusing case endings: English speakers might incorrectly use the nominative form in all contexts, e.g., saying "Я думаю о одиночество" instead of the correct genitive "Я думаю об одиночестве" (I am thinking about loneliness). Correct usage requires proper declension to fit the preposition or sentence structure.

• Overgeneralizing synonyms: Learners may misuse "изоляция" for emotional loneliness, as in "Я чувствую изоляция," which should be "одиночество" for accuracy. The error stems from literal translations; remember, "изоляция" implies isolation from society, not personal emotion.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "одиночество" often evokes themes from literature, such as in the works of Tolstoy or Chekhov, where it symbolizes deep introspection or existential struggle. It reflects the Russian philosophical tradition of valuing solitude for self-discovery, yet it can also carry a sense of melancholy tied to historical events like the vast Russian landscape or periods of social isolation.

Related Concepts:

• тоска (toska) - A profound longing or melancholy.
• самоизоляция (samoizoljacija) - Self-isolation, often in modern contexts like quarantine.
• душевный покой (duševnyj pokoj) - Inner peace, as a contrast to loneliness.