Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nativity'

English Word: nativity

Key Russian Translations:

• Рождество [rɐˈʐdʲesʲtva] - [Formal, Religious context]
• Рожденье [rɐˈʐdʲenʲje] - [Informal, Poetic or everyday use]

Frequency: Medium (Common in cultural, religious, and holiday discussions, but not everyday conversation).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian nouns and cultural nuances, with some irregular forms).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Рождество: [rɐˈʐdʲesʲtva]

Рожденье: [rɐˈʐdʲenʲje]

Note on Рождество: The stress is on the third syllable; the "ж" sound is a voiced palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: The birth of Jesus Christ, often referring to the Christian holiday.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Рождество - Used in formal, religious, or festive contexts, such as church services or holiday greetings.
• Рожденье - Informal alternative, often in literature or casual family discussions about holidays.

Usage Examples:

• В этот день мы празднуем Рождество Христово, вспоминая о рождении Спасителя.

  On this day, we celebrate the Nativity of Christ, remembering the birth of the Savior.

• Рожденье всегда было для нас временем семейных традиций и подарков.

  Nativity has always been a time of family traditions and gifts for us.

• В России Рождество отмечается 7 января по юлианскому календарю.

  In Russia, Nativity is celebrated on January 7th according to the Julian calendar.

• Дети любят истории о Рождестве, полные чудес и добра.

  Children love stories about Nativity, full of wonders and kindness.

• Во время Рожденья мы украшаем ёлку и поём колядки.

  During Nativity, we decorate the Christmas tree and sing carols.

Secondary meaning: The place or circumstances of birth (more general use).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Рождество - Less common in this sense; typically reserved for religious contexts.
• Рожденье - Can be used metaphorically in poetry or historical narratives.

Usage Examples:

• Историки изучают рождение великих личностей, их Рождество и влияние на мир.

  Historians study the birth of great personalities, their nativity, and their influence on the world.

• Её Рожденье в маленькой деревне предопределило скромный образ жизни.

  Her nativity in a small village predetermined her modest way of life.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Рождество" and "Рожденье" are neuter nouns in Russian, following standard declension patterns for nouns ending in -о or -е. They are somewhat irregular due to their archaic roots.

Note: These nouns do not have plural forms in common usage, as they refer to specific events or concepts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Рождественский праздник (more descriptive, emphasizing the festive aspect)
  • Воплощение (in theological contexts, meaning incarnation)
• Antonyms:
  • Смерть (death, contrasting the concept of birth)

Related Phrases:

• С Рождеством Христовым! - A common holiday greeting, meaning "Merry Christmas and Nativity!"
• Рождественская звезда - Refers to the Star of Nativity, symbolizing guidance and hope in stories.
• Празднование Рождества - The celebration of Nativity, often involving traditions like gift-giving.

Usage Notes:

"Рождество" is the most direct translation for "nativity" in a religious sense and is widely used in Russian Orthodox contexts. It corresponds closely to the English term but carries stronger cultural connotations in Russia, where it's tied to the Julian calendar. Use "Рожденье" for a more poetic or informal tone. Be mindful of context: in everyday speech, it might overlap with general Christmas references. Grammatically, always treat it as a neuter noun and adjust for case as needed.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "Рождество" with "Новый год" (New Year), as both involve celebrations. Error: Saying "Рождество" when meaning secular winter holidays. Correct: Use "Рождество" only for the religious event. Explanation: In Russian culture, these are distinct, with "Рождество" being more spiritual.
• Mispronouncing the stress or the "ж" sound in "Рождество". Error: Pronouncing it as [rozh-DEHS-to] instead of [rɐ-ʐDʲES-tva]. Correct: Practice the palatal fricative for accurate pronunciation. Explanation: This can make the word sound unnatural to native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "Рождество" is deeply rooted in Orthodox Christianity and is celebrated on January 7th. It symbolizes not just the birth of Jesus but also family unity, reflection, and the triumph of light over darkness, often depicted in folk tales and icons. This contrasts with Western Christmas traditions, emphasizing spiritual fasting before the feast.

Related Concepts:

• Пасха (Easter)
• Крещение (Baptism)
• Богоявление (Epiphany)