Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nunnery'

English Word: nunnery

Key Russian Translations:

• монастырь [mɐˈnastɨrʲ] - [Formal; typically refers to a monastery, but can specify a female one with context]
• женский монастырь [ˈʐenskʲɪj mɐˈnastɨrʲ] - [Formal; explicitly denotes a nunnery for women]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation but appear in historical, religious, or literary contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and religious terminology, though the basic vocabulary is accessible to upper-intermediate learners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

монастырь: [mɐˈnastɨrʲ]

женский монастырь: [ˈʐenskʲɪj mɐˈnastɨrʲ]

Note on монастырь: The stress falls on the third syllable (as in [mɐˈnastɨrʲ]), and the final 'ь' indicates a palatalized 'r' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly by dialect.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A residence for nuns, typically in a religious context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• монастырь - Used in formal or historical discussions of Orthodox Christian institutions; implies a general monastery that could be female-specific with additional context.
• женский монастырь - Preferred for explicit reference to a nunnery; common in literary or cultural descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Русские монахини живут в древнем монастыре на окраине города.

  English Translation: Russian nuns live in an ancient nunnery on the outskirts of the city.

• Этот женский монастырь известен своими традициями и духовными практиками.

  English Translation: This nunnery is known for its traditions and spiritual practices.

• В исторических романах часто описывается жизнь в монастыре, где женщины посвящают себя молитве.

  English Translation: In historical novels, life in a nunnery is often described, where women dedicate themselves to prayer.

• Посетители приезжают в женский монастырь, чтобы увидеть иконы и послушать службы.

  English Translation: Visitors come to the nunnery to see the icons and attend services.

• Монастырь был основан в XVII веке как убежище для женщин, ищущих духовного уединения.

  English Translation: The nunnery was founded in the 17th century as a refuge for women seeking spiritual seclusion.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "монастырь" and "женский монастырь" are nouns. "Монастырь" is a masculine noun in the second declension, which means it undergoes regular inflection based on case and number. "Женский" is an adjective that agrees with the noun in case, number, and gender. Below is a declension table for "монастырь" (singular and plural forms).

For "женский монастырь", the adjective "женский" changes as follows in key cases: Nominative singular - женский; Genitive singular - женского; etc. It remains unchanged in plural forms when agreeing with "монастыри".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • обитель (obitel') - A more poetic term for a religious dwelling, often implying a sense of spiritual retreat.
  • монашеский дом (monasheskiy dom) - Literally "monastic house," used in formal or ecclesiastical contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • мужской монастырь (muzhskoy monastyr') - Specifically a monastery for men, contrasting the female focus.

Related Phrases:

• Православный женский монастырь - A phrase meaning "Orthodox nunnery," often used in discussions of Russian religious sites; refers to institutions tied to the Orthodox Church.
• Жизнь в монастыре - Meaning "Life in a nunnery," commonly appears in literature or historical narratives about monastic living.
• Посещение монастыря - Translates to "Visiting a nunnery," used for tourism or pilgrimage contexts in modern Russian.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "монастырь" is a general term for a monastery and doesn't inherently specify gender, so use "женский монастырь" for precision when translating "nunnery." This distinction is important in formal or religious contexts to avoid ambiguity. English speakers should note that Russian nouns like this require case agreement in sentences, e.g., "в монастыре" (in the nunnery). When choosing between translations, opt for "женский монастырь" in explicitly female contexts, as it's more accurate and avoids cultural misinterpretations.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "монастырь" without specifying "женский" when the context is clearly about a nunnery, leading to gender confusion. Correct: Instead of saying "монастырь для монахинь," use "женский монастырь" for clarity. Explanation: Russian relies on adjectives for specification, so omitting "женский" might imply a mixed or male monastery.

• Error: Incorrectly declining the noun, e.g., using nominative "монастырь" in a genitive context like "of the nunnery." Correct: Use "монастыря" in genitive. Explanation: Proper declension is essential for grammatical accuracy in Russian sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, nunneries like "женский монастырь" hold significant historical and spiritual importance, often linked to the Russian Orthodox Church. They serve as centers for prayer, iconography, and community service, reflecting themes of asceticism and devotion. For instance, many are tied to events in Russian history, such as the Time of Troubles, symbolizing resilience and faith.

Related Concepts:

• церковь (church)
• монах (monk)
• икона (icon)
• духовность (spirituality)