Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nemesis'

English Word: nemesis

Key Russian Translations:

• враг /ˈvraɡ/ - [Formal, commonly used in literary or serious contexts]
• немезида /nʲɪˈmʲezʲɪdə/ - [Used in mythological, historical, or poetic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'враг' appears frequently in literature, media, and everyday discussions, while 'немезида' is less common and more specialized.)

Difficulty: B2 for 'враг' (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun inflections); C1 for 'немезида' (Advanced, due to its cultural and less frequent usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

враг: /ˈvraɡ/

Note on враг: The 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, similar to the 'g' in "go" but softer; stress is on the first syllable. Be mindful of the vowel reduction in unstressed positions.

Audio: []

немезида: /nʲɪˈmʲezʲɪdə/

Note on немезида: This is a loanword with palatalized consonants; the 'й' sound adds a soft 'y' glide, which can be challenging for beginners. Stress falls on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A long-standing rival or opponent who brings defeat or retribution

Translation(s) & Context:

• враг - Used in formal, everyday, or narrative contexts to describe an adversary, often with emotional weight.
• немезида - Applied in contexts involving fate, justice, or mythology, such as in literature or historical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В бизнесе у меня есть заклятый враг, который всегда на шаг впереди.

  In business, I have a sworn nemesis who is always one step ahead.

• Эта команда стала нашим вечным врагом в спортивных соревнованиях.

  This team has become our eternal nemesis in sports competitions.

• Немезида настигла его после многих лет обмана и предательства.

  Nemesis caught up with him after years of deception and betrayal.

• В древней мифологии Немезида символизирует возмездие за гордыню.

  In ancient mythology, Nemesis symbolizes retribution for hubris.

• Мой личный враг в жизни — это привычка откладывать дела на потом.

  My personal nemesis in life is the habit of procrastinating.

Meaning 2: A source of downfall or inevitable punishment

Translation(s) & Context:

• немезида - Often used metaphorically in philosophical or dramatic contexts to imply fate's justice.
• враг - Less common for this meaning but can be used in personal narratives.

Usage Examples:

• Его собственные действия стали его немезидой, приведя к краху карьеры.

  His own actions became his nemesis, leading to the collapse of his career.

• Враг судьбы — это то, что неизбежно настигает каждого.

  The nemesis of fate is something that inevitably catches up with everyone.

• Немезида правосудия не оставит преступников без наказания.

  The nemesis of justice will not leave criminals unpunished.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'враг' (a masculine noun, 1st declension):

This word follows standard Russian noun inflections. It changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table of its forms:

For 'немезида' (a feminine noun, often indeclinable as a loanword):

This word is typically invariable in modern Russian, meaning it does not change forms across cases. However, in some literary contexts, it may follow feminine patterns: e.g., Genitive: немезиды.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: противник (/prəˈtʲivnʲɪk/ - opponent, more neutral); недруг (/ˈnʲedrʊk/ - foe, with a sense of enmity); соперник (/səˈrʲovnʲɪk/ - rival, often in competition). Note: 'противник' is used in debates, while 'недруг' implies deeper hostility.
• Antonyms: друг (/druk/ - friend); союзник (/səˈʲuznʲɪk/ - ally).

Related Phrases:

• Заклятый враг - A sworn or mortal enemy; used to emphasize a deep, unyielding rivalry.
• Вечный враг - Eternal nemesis; implies an ongoing, inescapable conflict.
• Немезида судьбы - Nemesis of fate; a phrase for inevitable retribution in storytelling.

Usage Notes:

'Враг' directly corresponds to 'nemesis' in contexts of personal or competitive opposition, but it's more versatile in Russian and can be used in military or everyday scenarios. 'Немезида' is a closer match for the mythological or abstract sense of retribution, often carrying a formal or literary tone. When choosing between translations, opt for 'враг' in conversational settings and 'немезида' for philosophical discussions. Be aware of gender agreement: 'враг' is masculine, so adjectives and verbs must align accordingly. In informal speech, Russians might use 'враг' with irony, e.g., for a friendly rival.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'враг' interchangeably with 'противник' without considering nuance. For example, learners might say "Мой противник в игре" when "враг" implies stronger enmity. Correct: Use 'враг' for intense rivalry. Error example: "Он мой враг в теннисе" (implying hatred), but if it's just a game, say "Он мой соперник".
• Mistake: Mispronouncing 'немезида' by ignoring palatalization, e.g., saying /nɛˈmɛzɪdə/ instead of /nʲɪˈmʲezʲɪdə/. This can make it sound unnatural. Correct: Practice the soft consonants to maintain authenticity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'немезида' draws from Greek mythology, representing the goddess of retribution, which resonates in Russian literature (e.g., in works by Dostoevsky). It often symbolizes the idea of poetic justice, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on fate and moral accountability in stories and proverbs.

Related Concepts:

• соперник (rival)
• антагонист (antagonist)
• возмездие (retribution)