Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'masculinity'

English Word: masculinity

Key Russian Translations:

• мужественность (/muˈʐɛstvʲɪnnɔsʲtʲ/) - [Formal, Abstract Noun]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in discussions of gender, psychology, and society, but not in everyday casual conversation).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and noun declensions in Russian, based on CEFR standards).

Pronunciation (Russian):

мужественность: /muˈʐɛstvʲɪnnɔsʲtʲ/

Note on мужественность: The stress falls on the third syllable ("ʐɛ"), and the "ʐ" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds similar to the "zh" in "measure." Be aware of palatalization in spoken Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The state or quality of being masculine, often referring to traits like strength, courage, or traditional gender roles.

Translation(s) & Context:

• мужественность - Used in formal or academic contexts to discuss societal expectations of male behavior, such as in psychology or gender studies.

Usage Examples:

• В современном обществе мужественность часто ассоциируется с эмоциональной устойчивостью и лидерством.

  In modern society, masculinity is often associated with emotional resilience and leadership.

• Традиционная мужественность подразумевает физическую силу и смелость в преодолении трудностей.

  Traditional masculinity implies physical strength and courage in overcoming challenges.

• Кризис мужественности в культуре может привести к изменениям в гендерных ролях.

  A crisis of masculinity in culture can lead to changes in gender roles.

• Мужественность не всегда связана с агрессией; она может проявляться в заботе и ответственности.

  Masculinity is not always linked to aggression; it can manifest in care and responsibility.

• В литературе мужественность часто изображается через героев, борющихся с судьбой.

  In literature, masculinity is often depicted through heroes struggling against fate.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

мужественность is a feminine abstract noun in Russian, belonging to the first declension. It follows regular patterns for feminine nouns ending in -ость. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This noun does not change in gender or have irregular forms, making it straightforward once the basic declension rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мужской характер (muzhskoy kharakter) - Emphasizes character traits, often in a more personal context.
  • маскулинность (maskulinnost') - A direct borrowing, used in modern or academic discussions with slight Western influence.
• Antonyms:
  • женственность (zhenskost') - Directly contrasts with femininity.
  • слабость (slabost') - Implies weakness, though not always a perfect antonym in nuanced contexts.

Related Phrases:

• традиционная мужественность - Traditional masculinity; refers to culturally ingrained expectations of male behavior.
• кризис мужественности - Crisis of masculinity; used in discussions about modern gender identity challenges.
• идеалы мужественности - Ideals of masculinity; common in philosophical or educational contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "мужественность" directly corresponds to the English "masculinity" as an abstract concept, but it is more commonly used in formal, intellectual, or literary settings rather than everyday speech. Be mindful of the feminine gender of the noun, which affects agreement with adjectives and verbs (e.g., "эта мужественность важна" - this masculinity is important). When choosing between translations like "мужественность" and "маскулинность," opt for the former in traditional contexts and the latter for contemporary or borrowed terminology. It's often paired with discussions of gender roles, so context is key to avoid stereotypes.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "мужественность" with "мужской" (muzhskoy, meaning "male" as an adjective). Error: Using "мужской" to mean the abstract concept, e.g., "Мужской - это сила" (incorrect). Correct: "Мужественность - это сила" (Masculinity is strength). Explanation: "Мужской" describes gender, while "мужественность" refers to qualities.

• Overlooking declensions in sentences. Error: Saying "о мужественность" instead of "о мужественности" in genitive case. Correct: "Разговор о мужественности" (A talk about masculinity). Explanation: Proper declension ensures grammatical accuracy in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "мужественность" is often linked to historical ideals from literature and folklore, such as the stoic heroes in works by Tolstoy or Pushkin, emphasizing endurance and patriotism. However, contemporary discussions, influenced by global feminism, critique traditional masculinity as potentially restrictive, highlighting a shift towards more fluid gender expressions in modern Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• феминизм (feminism)
• гендерные роли (gender roles)
• эмоциональный интеллект (emotional intelligence)