Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'opulence'

English Word: opulence

Key Russian Translations:

• роскошь [rɐˈskɔʂʲ] - [Formal]
• богатство [bɐˈɡatstvə] - [Formal, often emphasizing wealth over luxury]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature, media, and everyday discussions about wealth and lifestyle)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and basic vocabulary, but accessible with some Russian exposure)

Pronunciation (Russian):

роскошь: [rɐˈskɔʂʲ]

Note on роскошь: The 'щ' sound is a soft, palatalized fricative, similar to the 'sh' in "she" but more hissed; be careful with stress on the second syllable.

богатство: [bɐˈɡatstvə]

Note on богатство: Stress falls on the third syllable; the 'тств' cluster can be tricky for beginners, as it involves a rapid transition.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Great wealth or luxuriousness in appearance, style, or possessions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• роскошь - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as describing affluent lifestyles or extravagant settings.
• богатство - Applied when emphasizing material abundance, often in economic or historical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Эта роскошь дворца впечатляет даже самых требовательных гостей.

  This opulence of the palace impresses even the most demanding guests.

• В городе полным-полно роскоши: от шикарных автомобилей до элитных ресторанов.

  The city is full of opulence: from luxurious cars to elite restaurants.

• Богатство и роскошь этой семьи стали легендой в местном обществе.

  The opulence and wealth of this family have become a legend in local society.

• Несмотря на роскошь интерьера, дом сохранил простоту в повседневной жизни.

  Despite the opulence of the interior, the house maintains simplicity in everyday life.

• Его богатство проявляется не только в роскоши, но и в щедрых пожертвованиях.

  His opulence shows not only in luxury but also in generous donations.

2. Abundance or profusion (less common, metaphorical sense).

Translation(s) & Context:

• изобилие - Used metaphorically for an overflow of resources, though less directly tied to "opulence" than роскошь.

Usage Examples:

• В саду было настоящее изобилие цветов, напоминающее опulence древних садов.

  The garden had a true abundance of flowers, reminiscent of ancient opulence.

• Изобилие еды на столе отражало роскошь праздничного ужина.

  The abundance of food on the table reflected the opulence of the festive dinner.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. "Роскошь" is a feminine noun (feminine singular nominative), and it follows standard first-declension patterns. "Богатство" is a neuter noun with similar declension rules. Below is a table for their inflections:

Note: These words do not have irregular inflections and remain unchanged in plural forms in most contexts, as they are abstract concepts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пышность [pɨʂnəstʲ] - Emphasizes grandeur and splendor, often in decorative contexts.
  • шик [ʂɨk] - Informal synonym for stylish opulence, used in modern slang.
• Antonyms:
  • бедность [bʲednəstʲ] - Poverty or lack of wealth.
  • скромность [skrɐmnəstʲ] - Modesty or simplicity, contrasting with extravagance.

Related Phrases:

• жить в роскоши - To live in opulence; used to describe a lavish lifestyle.
• роскошь и комфорт - Opulence and comfort; a common phrase in advertising for luxury goods.
• представлять роскошь - To embody opulence; often in artistic or cultural descriptions.

Usage Notes:

"Роскошь" directly corresponds to the luxurious aspect of "opulence," making it ideal for contexts involving aesthetics or excess, while "богатство" aligns more with financial wealth. In formal Russian writing, prefer "роскошь" for descriptive narratives. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as both are nouns that require adjectives to match (e.g., "большая роскошь" for "great opulence"). When choosing between translations, opt for "роскошь" in everyday or cultural discussions and "богатство" in economic ones.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "роскошь" interchangeably with "богатство" without context, e.g., saying "Его роскошь огромна" when meaning pure wealth.
  Correct: "Его богатство огромно" (His wealth is immense). Explanation: "Роскошь" implies visible luxury, not just quantity, so it may overemphasize appearance.
• Mistake: Incorrect declension, e.g., using nominative in all cases: "Я увидел роскошь" instead of "Я увидел роскошью" in instrumental contexts.
  Correct: "Я увидел роскошью" (I saw with opulence). Explanation: Always adjust for case to maintain grammatical accuracy in Russian sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "роскошь" often evokes images of imperial-era extravagance, such as the opulence of the tsars' palaces in St. Petersburg. It can carry a mixed connotation—admiration for beauty alongside criticism of excess, reflecting historical attitudes toward wealth inequality during the Soviet era and beyond.

Related Concepts:

• шикарный
• благосостояние
• элитность