Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'priestess'

English Word: priestess

Key Russian Translations:

• жрица [ˈʐrʲɪtsə] - [Formal; Used in historical, mythological, or literary contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday Russian; it's more prevalent in literature, history, or specialized discussions about religion or mythology.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B2; Learners at this level should be familiar with noun declensions and vocabulary related to culture and history, though the rarity of the word adds some challenge.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

жрица: [ˈʐrʲɪtsə]

Note on жрица: The initial 'ж' sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, which can be tricky for English speakers as it's similar to the 's' in 'measure' but more guttural. Stress falls on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A female priest or religious leader, often in ancient or mythological settings.

Translation(s) & Context:

• жрица - Typically used in formal, historical, or narrative contexts to describe a woman serving in a religious role, such as in ancient pagan rituals or myths.

Usage Examples:

• В древнем храме жрица проводила ритуалы под лунным светом.

  In the ancient temple, the priestess conducted rituals under the moonlight.

• Жрица в мифологии часто символизирует связь между людьми и богами.

  In mythology, the priestess often symbolizes the connection between humans and gods.

• Во время фестиваля жрица одевалась в традиционные одежды и пела гимны.

  During the festival, the priestess dressed in traditional attire and sang hymns.

• Молодая жрица учила учеников древним обычаям в священной роще.

  The young priestess taught students ancient customs in the sacred grove.

• Жрица храма Афины была известна своей мудростью и пророческими видениями.

  The priestess of Athena's temple was known for her wisdom and prophetic visions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"жрица" is a feminine noun in the first declension group. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for feminine nouns ending in -а. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: священница (svyashchennitsa) - More commonly used for a female priest in Christian contexts; it has a broader application in modern religious settings. пророчица (prorochitsa) - Emphasizes prophetic roles, often in ancient or mystical contexts.
• Antonyms: жрец (zhrets) - Refers to a male priest, highlighting the gender contrast.

Related Phrases:

• жрица храма (zhritsa khrama) - Priestess of the temple; Used in discussions of ancient religions to denote a specific role.
• верховная жрица (verkhovnaya zhritsa) - High priestess; Implies a leadership position in a religious hierarchy.
• жрица судьбы (zhritsa sudby) - Priestess of fate; Often appears in mythological or literary contexts referring to oracles or seers.

Usage Notes:

"жрица" directly corresponds to "priestess" in English, but it's primarily used in historical, literary, or mythological contexts rather than everyday modern Russian. For contemporary religious figures, "священница" might be more appropriate. Be mindful of the formal tone; it's rarely used in informal speech. When choosing between translations, opt for "жрица" in pagan or ancient settings, as it carries a sense of antiquity. Grammatically, ensure correct declension based on sentence structure, as Russian nouns change form to indicate case.

Common Errors:

• Confusing gender: English learners might mistakenly use the masculine form "жрец" for a female priest. Incorrect: "Жрец в храме" (implying a male). Correct: "Жрица в храме" – Remember, Russian nouns have grammatical gender, so match the word to the subject's gender.
• Incorrect declension: Forgetting to change the ending in different cases, e.g., saying "о жрица" instead of "о жрице" in the prepositional case. Incorrect: "Я думаю о жрица" (grammatically wrong). Correct: "Я думаю о жрице" – Always apply standard feminine noun rules.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "жрица" often evokes images from Slavic paganism or ancient Greek/Roman myths, as popularized in literature like Pushkin's works or modern fantasy. It symbolizes feminine spiritual power and mystery, contrasting with male-dominated religious structures in history. This word highlights Russia's rich mythological heritage, where female figures like the priestess play roles in folklore and national identity.

Related Concepts:

• жрец (zhrets) - Male priest
• пророчица (prorochitsa) - Female prophet or seer
• храм (khran) - Temple