Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'naturalism'

English Word: naturalism

Key Russian Translations:

• натурализм [nɐˈturəlʲɪzm] - [Formal, used in academic and artistic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary, philosophical, and academic discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of cultural and historical contexts in Russian literature and philosophy)

Pronunciation (Russian):

натурализм: [nɐˈturəlʲɪzm]

Note on натурализм: The stress falls on the third syllable ("ra"), which is a common point of difficulty for English speakers. Pronounce the "лʲ" as a soft "l" sound, similar to the "l" in "million".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. In art and literature: A movement or style that emphasizes realistic depiction of life, often focusing on everyday realities and human nature.

Translation(s) & Context:

• натурализм - Used in formal discussions of 19th-century Russian literature, such as the works of Chekhov, to describe a style that avoids idealization.

Usage Examples:

• В русской литературе натурализм проявляется в детальном описании социальных проблем и человеческой психологии.

  In Russian literature, naturalism manifests in the detailed description of social issues and human psychology.

• Натурализм как художественный метод подчеркивает правдивость и объективность в изображении реальности.

  Naturalism as an artistic method emphasizes truthfulness and objectivity in depicting reality.

• Современные фильмы часто черпают вдохновение из натурализма, показывая жизнь без прикрас.

  Modern films often draw inspiration from naturalism, showing life without embellishments.

• В эпоху натурализма писатели отвергали романтизм в пользу реалистичных повествований.

  In the era of naturalism, writers rejected romanticism in favor of realistic narratives.

• Натурализм в театре позволяет зрителям увидеть неприукрашенную сторону общества.

  Naturalism in theater allows audiences to see the unembellished side of society.

2. In philosophy: A worldview that everything arises from natural properties and causes, rejecting supernatural explanations.

Translation(s) & Context:

• натурализм - Applied in philosophical debates, often in academic settings, to describe a materialistic approach to existence.

Usage Examples:

• Философский натурализм утверждает, что все явления можно объяснить естественными законами.

  Philosophical naturalism asserts that all phenomena can be explained by natural laws.

• Натурализм в науке противоречит религиозным объяснениям происхождения мира.

  Naturalism in science contradicts religious explanations of the world's origin.

• Многие современные ученые придерживаются натурализма, отвергая сверхъестественное.

  Many modern scientists adhere to naturalism, rejecting the supernatural.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Натурализм" is a masculine noun (from the second declension in Russian). It follows standard noun inflection patterns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This word is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • реализм (realism) - Often interchangeable in literary contexts, but реализм is broader and less focused on detailed depiction.
  • натуральность (naturalness) - Used for a more general sense, but less formal.
• Antonyms:
  • идеализм (idealism) - Emphasizes perfection and abstraction, contrasting with naturalism's realism.
  • романтизм (romanticism) - Focuses on emotion and imagination, opposing naturalism's objectivity.

Related Phrases:

• Литературный натурализм - Literary naturalism; a phrase used to specify its application in writing and storytelling.
• Философский натурализм - Philosophical naturalism; refers to its role in rejecting metaphysical explanations.
• Натурализм в искусстве - Naturalism in art; commonly used in cultural discussions to describe realistic visual representations.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "натурализм" directly corresponds to the English "naturalism" but is primarily used in formal, academic, or cultural contexts. Unlike English, where "naturalism" can be more versatile, Russian speakers often pair it with qualifiers like "литературный" or "философский" to specify the domain. Be mindful of grammatical gender (masculine) and always decline it according to the sentence structure. When choosing between translations, opt for "натурализм" in educated discussions; avoid it in casual speech to prevent sounding overly formal.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "натурализм" with "натуральный" (natural): English learners might misuse "натурализм" to mean something everyday like "organic" products. Incorrect: "Я ем натурализм продукты" (wrong, as it implies a movement, not natural products). Correct: "Я ем натуральные продукты". Explanation: "Натуральный" is the adjective for "natural", while "натурализм" is a noun for the specific ideology.

• Forgetting declensions: Learners often use the nominative form everywhere, e.g., "Я изучаю натурализм" instead of "Я изучаю натурализм" in correct contexts, but in genitive phrases like "книга о натурализме" (book about naturalism), it must be genitive: "книга о натурализме". Always check the case based on the preposition or sentence role.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "натурализм" is deeply tied to 19th-century literary movements, influenced by writers like Anton Chekhov and Maxim Gorky. It reflects a societal shift towards realism amid rapid industrialization and social change, often critiquing the harsh realities of life under the Tsarist regime. This gives the term a historical weight, making it more than just a stylistic choice—it's a lens for understanding Russian societal critiques.

Related Concepts:

• реализм
• романтизм
• идеализм
• экспрессионизм