Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'meek'

English Word: meek

Key Russian Translations:

• скромный [ˈskrom.nɨj] - [Formal, Everyday]
• смиренный [ˈsmʲi.rʲen.nɨj] - [Formal, Literary or Religious]

Frequency: Medium (These words are commonly encountered in literature, formal writing, and everyday conversation but are not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of adjective inflections and nuanced contexts. For 'скромный', it's slightly easier; for 'смиренный', it may lean towards B2 due to its more archaic or specialized usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

скромный: [ˈskrom.nɨj]

Note on скромный: The stress is on the first syllable; the 'o' sounds like a short 'o' in English 'hot'. Be mindful of the soft 'n' sound, which is common in Russian adjectives.

смиренный: [ˈsmʲi.rʲen.nɨj]

Note on смиренный: This word has palatalized consonants ('smʲi' and 'rʲ'), which can be tricky for learners; it sounds softer than in English equivalents. Practice with native speakers for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Humble or submissive in nature

Translation(s) & Context:

• скромный - Used in everyday contexts to describe someone who is unassuming or modest, often in social or professional settings.
• смиренный - Applied in more formal, religious, or literary contexts to imply deep humility or submission, such as in spiritual texts.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда был скромным в своих успехах, никогда не хвастался. (He was always meek about his successes, never boasting.)

  He was always meek about his successes, never boasting.

• Её скромный характер помог ей избежать конфликтов в команде. (Her meek nature helped her avoid conflicts in the team.)

  Her meek nature helped her avoid conflicts in the team.

• Смиренный монах молился в тишине монастыря. (The meek monk prayed in the silence of the monastery.)

  The meek monk prayed in the silence of the monastery.

• В повседневной жизни скромный человек часто предпочитает слушать, а не говорить. (In everyday life, a meek person often prefers to listen rather than speak.)

  In everyday life, a meek person often prefers to listen rather than speak.

• Смиренный подход к проблемам делает его идеальным медиатором. (His meek approach to problems makes him an ideal mediator.)

  His meek approach to problems makes him an ideal mediator.

Submissive in a passive sense

Translation(s) & Context:

• скромный - Used when describing passive behavior in interpersonal relationships, but less common than in the first meaning.
• смиренный - Often implies a deeper, almost resigned submission, as in historical or ethical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Его скромное согласие с мнением группы показало его уступчивость. (His meek agreement with the group's opinion showed his submissiveness.)

  His meek agreement with the group's opinion showed his submissiveness.

• Смиренный крестьянин терпел несправедливость в старые времена. (The meek peasant endured injustice in old times.)

  The meek peasant endured injustice in old times.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'скромный' and 'смиренный' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most cases, but 'смиренный' can sometimes appear in more archaic forms. Below is a table for 'скромный' as an example; 'смиренный' follows similar rules.

For 'смиренный', the inflections are identical in structure but may vary in frequency due to its more formal usage. These adjectives do not have irregular forms but must agree with the nouns they modify.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • невыразительный (nevyrazitel'nyy) - More neutral, implying lack of expression; subtle difference from 'скромный' which connotes positive modesty.
  • тихий (tikhyy) - Emphasizes quietness; used in contexts where 'meek' means calm and unassuming.
• Antonyms:
  • агрессивный (agressivnyy)
  • наглый (naglyy) - Implies rudeness or boldness.

Related Phrases:

• скромный образ жизни (skromnyy obraz zhizni) - A modest way of life; refers to living simply without ostentation.
• смиренно принять (smirenno prinimat') - To meekly accept; used in contexts of resignation or humility, such as accepting fate.
• быть скромным в словах (byt' skromnym v slovakh) - To be meek in words; emphasizes humble speech in social interactions.

Usage Notes:

'Meek' in English often carries a positive connotation of humility, which aligns closely with 'скромный' in Russian for everyday use. However, 'смиренный' is better suited for formal or religious contexts, as it evokes biblical or historical undertones. When choosing between translations, opt for 'скромный' in modern conversations and 'смиренный' in literary or ethical discussions. Be aware of grammatical agreement: always inflect the adjective to match the noun's gender, number, and case. In informal settings, 'скромный' can sometimes be softened with adverbs like 'очень' (very) to vary intensity.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'скромный' with 'скучный' (skuchnyy, meaning boring): Learners might misuse 'скучный' when intending 'meek', thinking it means unassuming. Correct usage: Say 'Он скромный' (He is meek) instead of 'Он скучный' (He is boring). Explanation: 'Скучный' implies dullness, not humility.

• Forgetting inflections: English speakers often use 'смиренный' without changing it for case, e.g., saying 'в смиренный человек' instead of 'в смиренном человеке'. Correct: Use the proper genitive form as shown in the inflections table.

• Overusing in formal contexts: Beginners might apply 'смиренный' too broadly, making speech sound archaic. Tip: Reserve it for religious or literary themes to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'скромность' (modesty) are highly valued, often linked to traditional values and literature such as Tolstoy's works, where meek characters embody moral strength. 'Смиренный' carries echoes of Orthodox Christianity, reflecting historical influences on Russian society, which emphasizes endurance and humility in the face of adversity.

Related Concepts:

• скромность (skromnost') - Modesty as a noun.
• уступчивость (ustupchivost') - Submissiveness or yielding.
• тишина (tishina) - Quietness, often associated with meek behavior.