Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'polymath'

English Word: polymath

Key Russian Translations:

• полимат [pɐlʲɪˈmat] - [Formal, Academic]
• универсальный гений [unɪvʲɪrˈsalʲnɨj ˈɡʲenʲij] - [Formal, Literary]
• многогранный специалист [mnɐɡɐˈɡranʲnɨj spʲɪtsaˈlʲist] - [Informal, Professional]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in academic, historical, or intellectual discussions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and compound words, but the concept is straightforward for learners at this level.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

полимат: [pɐlʲɪˈmat]

универсальный гений: [unɪvʲɪrˈsalʲnɨj ˈɡʲenʲij]

многогранный специалист: [mnɐɡɐˈɡranʲnɨj spʲɪtsaˈlʲist]

Note on полимат: The stress falls on the last syllable, which is common in borrowed words; be careful with the palatalized 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Note on универсальный гений: The word "универсальный" has stress on the third syllable, and "гений" stresses the first; this compound phrase may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person of encyclopedic learning and wide-ranging expertise

Translation(s) & Context:

• полимат - Used in formal academic or biographical contexts to describe someone with broad knowledge across disciplines.
• универсальный гений - Applied in literary or cultural discussions, often with a sense of admiration for historical figures.
• многогранный специалист - More practical, used in professional settings to highlight versatility without implying genius.

Usage Examples:

• Леонардо да Винчи был настоящим полиматом, сочетающим искусство и науку в своих работах.

  Leonardo da Vinci was a true polymath, combining art and science in his works.

• В современном мире универсальный гений, как Альберт Эйнштейн, встречается редко.

  In the modern world, a universal genius like Albert Einstein is rare.

• Она — многогранный специалист, способная работать в IT, искусстве и бизнесе одновременно.

  She is a multifaceted specialist, able to work in IT, art, and business simultaneously.

• Полимат вроде этого ученого может внести вклад в несколько областей знаний.

  A polymath like this scholar can contribute to multiple fields of knowledge.

• Универсальный гений эпохи Возрождения часто изображался в искусстве как символ всестороннего развития.

  A universal genius from the Renaissance era is often depicted in art as a symbol of all-around development.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Полимат" is a masculine noun (borrowed from English/Greek) and follows the standard third-declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. It is relatively regular but may not inflect in informal use. "Универсальный гений" is a phrase where "универсальный" is an adjective and "гений" is a masculine noun. "Многогранный специалист" follows similar patterns.

Note: These words do not change for gender but inflect for case and number as shown. In casual speech, "полимат" might remain unchanged.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • энциклопедист (more historical connotation)
  • универсал (informal, emphasizing versatility)
• Antonyms:
  • специалист (focuses on narrow expertise)
  • узкий эксперт (implies limited scope)

The synonym "энциклопедист" often refers to 18th-century scholars, while "универсал" is more modern and everyday.

Related Phrases:

• Универсальный гений эпохи — A universal genius of the era; used to describe figures like Leonardo da Vinci in historical contexts.
• Многогранный талант — A multifaceted talent; implies broad skills without the intellectual depth of a polymath.
• Человек-энциклопедия — A walking encyclopedia; a colloquial phrase for someone with vast knowledge.

Usage Notes:

"Полимат" directly mirrors the English term and is best used in formal or academic writing to describe individuals with expertise in multiple fields. In contrast, "универсальный гений" carries a more exalted tone and is ideal for cultural or historical discussions, while "многогранный специалист" is suitable for professional contexts. Be mindful of Russian's case system when using these in sentences—e.g., always decline nouns according to their grammatical role. English learners should note that Russian often pairs these with adjectives for emphasis, such as "выдающийся полимат" (outstanding polymath).

Common Errors:

• Common mistake: Using "полимат" interchangeably with "специалист," which understates the breadth of knowledge. Incorrect: "Он просто полимат в одной области." (This implies limitation.) Correct: "Он полимат, владеющий многими науками." Explanation: "Полимат" requires a sense of diversity; specify multiple fields to avoid confusion.

• Common mistake: Forgetting noun declensions, e.g., saying "о полимат" instead of "о полимате" in prepositional case. Incorrect: "Мы говорим о полимат." Correct: "Мы говорим о полимате." Explanation: This is a frequent error for beginners due to Russian's complex grammar; always check the case based on the preposition.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a polymath is often linked to historical figures from the Renaissance or Enlightenment, such as Mikhail Lomonosov, who is celebrated as a "универсальный гений" for his contributions to science, poetry, and education. This reflects Russia's emphasis on intellectual versatility and the "Renaissance man" ideal, which is romanticized in literature and education.

Related Concepts:

• энциклопедист
• творческий ум
• интеллектуал