Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'numinous'

English Word: numinous

Key Russian Translations:

• духовный [ˈdu.xəf.nɨj] - [Formal, used in philosophical or religious contexts]
• священный [svʲɪˈʂːen.nɨj] - [Formal, often implying sacred or holy connotations]
• мистический [mʲɪˈstʲi.t͡ɕeskʲɪj] - [Formal/Informal, for mystical or esoteric senses]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, religious texts, and philosophical discussions, but not in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves abstract concepts and requires familiarity with Russian adjectives and their inflections; for 'священный', it may be A2 if in basic religious contexts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

духовный: [ˈdu.xəf.nɨj]

священный: [svʲɪˈʂːen.nɨj]

мистический: [mʲɪˈstʲi.t͡ɕeskʲɪj]

Note on духовный: The stress is on the first syllable; be cautious with the soft 'х' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to its guttural quality.

Note on священный: Pronounce the 'щ' as a prolonged 'sh' sound; this is a common point of difficulty for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Having a strong religious or spiritual quality, often evoking a sense of the divine or mysterious.

Translation(s) & Context:

• духовный - Used in formal contexts like theology or personal reflection, to describe something spiritually profound.
• священный - Applied in religious or ceremonial settings, emphasizing holiness or divine presence.
• мистический - Employed in more esoteric or philosophical discussions, highlighting mystical experiences.

Usage Examples:

• В древнем храме ощущается духовная аура, которая наполняет посетителей благоговением.

  In the ancient temple, a numinous aura is felt, filling visitors with awe.

• Эта картина излучает священный свет, напоминая о божественном присутствии.

  This painting emits a numinous light, reminiscent of divine presence.

• Во время медитации он пережил мистический опыт, который изменил его мировоззрение.

  During meditation, he experienced a numinous event that changed his worldview.

• Духовный путь к просветлению требует внутренней дисциплины и размышлений.

  The numinous path to enlightenment demands inner discipline and reflection.

• Священный ритуал в монастыре создает атмосферу, полную мистического очарования.

  The numinous ritual in the monastery creates an atmosphere full of mystical charm.

Meaning 2: Indicating something supernatural or otherworldly, often with a sense of mystery.

Translation(s) & Context:

• мистический - Best for contexts involving the unknown or supernatural, such as in literature or art.
• духовный - Used when the mystery ties back to spiritual themes.

Usage Examples:

• Мистический лес в сказках часто описывается как место, где случаются чудеса.

  The numinous forest in fairy tales is often described as a place where miracles happen.

• Духовный аспект природы заставляет нас задуматься о её тайнах.

  The numinous aspect of nature makes us ponder its mysteries.

• В этой мистической церемонии участники чувствуют связь с потусторонним миром.

  In this numinous ceremony, participants feel a connection to the otherworldly realm.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. They follow standard first-declension patterns for adjectives.

Note: These adjectives are invariable in terms of stress patterns but must agree with the noun they modify.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • божественный (more directly 'divine', with a heavenly connotation)
  • сакральный (used in academic contexts for 'sacred')
  • потусторонний (implying 'otherworldly', with subtle differences in mysticism)
• Antonyms:
  • мирской (worldly or secular)
  • обыденный (mundane or everyday)
  • земной (earthly, lacking spiritual depth)

Related Phrases:

• Духовный опыт - A numinous experience, often referring to personal spiritual encounters.
• Священный текст - Sacred or numinous text, like religious scriptures.
• Мистический ритуал - Mystical or numinous ritual, involving esoteric practices.
• Духовная атмосфера - Numinous atmosphere, describing an environment with spiritual energy.

Usage Notes:

'Numinous' doesn't have a perfect one-to-one equivalent in Russian, so choose based on context: use 'духовный' for general spiritual qualities, 'священный' for religious sanctity, and 'мистический' for mysterious or supernatural aspects. Be mindful of formal contexts in Russian, where these words are more common in written or elevated speech. Grammatically, always ensure the adjective agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case. For English learners, 'духовный' might be the safest default, but avoid overusing it to prevent sounding repetitive.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'духовный' interchangeably with 'священный' without considering connotation. For example, saying "духовный церковь" instead of "священная церковь". Correct: "священная церковь" for a holy church. Explanation: 'Духовный' emphasizes spirituality, while 'священный' denotes sanctity—mixing them can alter the meaning.

• Error: Forgetting inflection, e.g., saying "мистический опыт" in the wrong case. Correct: In genitive, it should be "мистического опыта". Explanation: Russian adjectives must inflect, so always check the noun's case to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'духовный' and 'священный' are deeply tied to Orthodox Christianity, which emphasizes mysticism and divine presence. For instance, the concept of 'numinous' resonates with Russian literary traditions, as seen in works by Dostoevsky, where spiritual experiences often carry profound cultural and existential weight.

Related Concepts:

• божественный
• сакральный
• потусторонний
• душевный