Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'obsession'

English Word: obsession

Key Russian Translations:

• одержимость /ɐˈdʲerʐɨməsʲtʲ/ - [Formal, Psychological contexts]
• навязчивая идея /nɐˈvʲazʲtɕɪvəjə ɪˈdʲejə/ - [Informal, Everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (Common in psychological or literary discussions, but not in casual everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate for "одержимость" due to abstract concepts and noun declensions; A2 for "навязчивая идея" as it's more straightforward)

Pronunciation (Russian):

одержимость: /ɐˈdʲerʐɨməsʲtʲ/ (Stress on the third syllable; the "ж" sound is like the "zh" in "measure")

навязчивая идея: /nɐˈvʲazʲtɕɪvəjə ɪˈdʲejə/ (Note the palatalized "z" and "t"; practice the soft consonants for accuracy)

Note on одержимость: Be cautious with the rolled "r" and the soft "dʲ"; common mispronunciation involves hardening the consonants.

Note on навязчивая идея: The phrase is compound; the stress shifts in connected speech.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A persistent, uncontrollable preoccupation with a particular idea, person, or thing (e.g., in psychology or everyday life).

Translation(s) & Context:

• одержимость - Used in formal, clinical, or literary contexts, often implying a deeper, potentially negative fixation.
• навязчивая идея - Applied in informal settings, like daily conversations, to describe bothersome thoughts without severe implications.

Usage Examples:

• Его одержимость коллекционированием редких книг разрушила его социальную жизнь.

  His obsession with collecting rare books ruined his social life. (Shows obsession in a destructive context)

• Эта навязчивая идея о путешествиях не дает мне сосредоточиться на работе.

  This obsessive idea about traveling doesn't let me focus on work. (Illustrates a milder, everyday fixation)

• В психологии одержимость часто рассматривается как симптом более серьезных расстройств.

  In psychology, obsession is often viewed as a symptom of more serious disorders. (Demonstrates formal usage in professional discourse)

• Моя навязчивая идея о здоровом питании заставляет меня читать этикетки на всех продуктах.

  My obsessive idea about healthy eating makes me read labels on all products. (Highlights a habitual, non-clinical obsession)

• Одержимость спортом помогла ей достичь высоких результатов, но стоила здоровья.

  Obsession with sports helped her achieve high results but cost her health. (Emphasizes the double-edged nature of obsession)

2. An intense interest that dominates one's thoughts (less pathological, more neutral).

Translation(s) & Context:

• одержимость - In neutral or positive contexts, like passion in hobbies, though less common than in negative scenarios.
• навязчивая идея - Often used for persistent but not harmful interests, in casual talk.

Usage Examples:

• Ее одержимость искусством вдохновила всю семью на посещение музеев.

  Her obsession with art inspired the whole family to visit museums. (Positive connotation in family settings)

• Эта навязчивая идея о новых технологиях делает его экспертом в гаджетах.

  This obsessive idea about new technologies makes him an expert in gadgets. (Shows beneficial outcomes in modern life)

• Одержимость чтением книг в детстве сформировала его как писателя.

  Obsession with reading books in childhood shaped him as a writer. (Illustrates long-term influence)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "одержимость" (feminine noun, third declension):

It follows standard Russian noun inflections for gender, number, and case. As a feminine noun ending in -ость, it has regular declensions but no plural form in most contexts since it denotes an abstract state.

For "навязчивая идея" (feminine adjective + noun phrase): "Навязчивая" agrees with "идея" and inflects as a short-form adjective in some contexts, but as a phrase, it remains relatively stable. No irregular changes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: мания (mania; implies a stronger, more irrational fixation), навязчивая мысль (obsessive thought; for fleeting ideas)
• Antonyms: апатия (apathy; complete lack of interest), равнодушие (indifference; neutral disinterest)

Related Phrases:

• иметь одержимость - To have an obsession; often used in self-reflection or psychological discussions.
• навязчивая идея преследования - Obsessive idea of persecution; common in contexts of paranoia or mental health.
• бороться с одержимостью - To fight against obsession; implies efforts to overcome it.

Usage Notes:

"Одержимость" is a more formal and precise translation for "obsession" in English, especially in clinical or literary contexts, while "навязчивая идея" suits everyday informal speech. Choose based on register: use "одержимость" for psychological depth and "навязчивая идея" for lighter conversations. Grammatically, both can be used in various sentence structures, but ensure agreement with gender and case in Russian sentences. For example, in questions, pair with verbs like "иметь" (to have) for natural flow.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "одержимость" interchangeably with "мания" without considering nuance. Correct: "Мания" often implies a diagnosed condition, while "одержимость" can be more general. Example of error: "У меня мания спортом" (incorrect mix). Correct: "У меня одержимость спортом."

• Error: Forgetting case agreement, e.g., saying "Я думаю об одержимость" instead of "Я думаю об одержимости" (genitive case). Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change based on their role in the sentence; always check the governing preposition.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "одержимость" often carries a negative connotation, linked to historical and literary themes in works like Dostoevsky's novels, where obsessions reflect inner turmoil or moral struggles. This reflects a broader Slavic cultural emphasis on the human psyche and the dangers of unchecked passions, contrasting with more neutral Western views of obsessions as hobbies.

Related Concepts:

• фобия (phobia)
• компульсия (compulsion)
• психоз (psychosis)