Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mythology'

English Word: mythology

Key Russian Translations:

• мифология (/mʲɪfɐlɐɡʲɪjə/) - [Formal, Singular, Used in academic or cultural contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly encountered in educational, literary, and cultural discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with Russian nominal inflections and abstract concepts, suitable for upper-intermediate learners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мифология: /mʲɪfɐlɐɡʲɪjə/ (The stress is on the third syllable, with a soft 'м' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalization.)

Note on мифология: Pay attention to the soft consonant 'ф' which affects the preceding vowel; common regional variations may slightly alter vowel length in informal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The study of myths, legends, and their cultural significance

Translation(s) & Context:

• мифология - Used in formal academic settings, such as lectures or books on ancient cultures, to refer to the systematic study of myths.

Usage Examples:

• В университете я изучаю мифологию древних цивилизаций.

  In university, I study the mythology of ancient civilizations.

• Мифология играет ключевую роль в понимании культурного наследия России.

  Mythology plays a key role in understanding Russia's cultural heritage.

• Современные фильмы часто черпают вдохновение из греческой мифологии.

  Modern films often draw inspiration from Greek mythology.

• Изучение мифологии помогает анализировать символы в литературе.

  Studying mythology helps analyze symbols in literature.

• В мифологии славянских народов есть множество интересных легенд.

  In the mythology of Slavic peoples, there are many interesting legends.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Мифология" is a feminine noun (feminine singular in its base form) and follows the standard first declension pattern in Russian. It is inflected based on grammatical case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it relatively straightforward for learners, but always ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • легендарность (legendary nature; often used in a more poetic context)
  • мифотворчество (myth-making; emphasizes the creative aspect)
• Antonyms:
  • реальность (reality; contrasts with the fictional elements of myths)
  • фактология (factology; focuses on verifiable facts rather than myths)

Related Phrases:

• Греческая мифология - Greek mythology; Often used in discussions of classical literature.
• Славянская мифология - Slavic mythology; Refers to myths from Eastern European cultures.
• Мифологический сюжет - Mythological plot; Common in storytelling or film analysis.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "мифология" directly corresponds to the English "mythology" as a field of study, but it is typically used in formal or academic contexts rather than casual conversation. English speakers should note that Russian nouns like this require case agreement; for example, use the genitive form "мифологии" when indicating possession (e.g., "история мифологии" for "history of mythology"). If multiple translations exist, choose based on context: "мифология" is the most precise for academic use, while synonyms like "легендарность" might suit literary discussions. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Incorrect: *Я изучаю мифология* (omitting case inflection) - This is wrong because the noun must agree with the verb and context. Correct: Я изучаю мифологию (accusative case for direct object). Explanation: Russian requires proper declension; English learners often forget this, leading to grammatical errors.

• Incorrect: *Мифология есть реальность* (misusing as if it's a verb) - This conflates it with English phrasing. Correct: Мифология - это часть культуры (using a copula for definition). Explanation: Treat it as a noun and ensure proper sentence structure to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "мифология" often encompasses not just ancient myths but also folklore and national legends, such as those from Slavic traditions. For instance, it includes figures like Baba Yaga, which carry deep historical and symbolic meanings tied to Russian identity. Understanding this helps English speakers appreciate how mythology intersects with national pride and literature in Russia.

Related Concepts:

• легенда (legend)
• фольклор (folklore)
• символизм (symbolism)