Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prophecy'

English Word: prophecy

Key Russian Translations:

• пророчество [prə.rɐ.'t͡ɕes.tʷə] - [Formal, often used in literary, religious, or historical contexts]
• предсказание [prʲɪd.nɐ.'ska.nʲɪ.jə] - [Informal or everyday contexts, slightly less prophetic connotation]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, religious texts, and discussions about predictions, but not in casual everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding neuter nouns and contextual usage; for 'предсказание', also B2 due to similar grammatical features)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пророчество: [prə.rɐ.'t͡ɕes.tʷə]

предсказание: [prʲɪd.nɐ.'ska.nʲɪ.jə]

Note on пророчество: The stress falls on the third syllable ('t͡ɕes'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 't͡ɕ' sound; it softens in informal speech.

Note on предсказание: The initial 'prʲɪd' has a soft 'r' sound, common in Russian; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A prediction of the future, often with a sense of divine or mystical insight

Translation(s) & Context:

• пророчество - Used in formal, religious, or literary contexts, such as biblical references or historical prophecies.
• предсказание - Applied in more general or modern contexts, like weather forecasts or psychic predictions.

Usage Examples:

• Древнее пророчество предвещало конец света. (The ancient prophecy foretold the end of the world.)

  The ancient prophecy foretold the end of the world.

• Ее пророчество о будущем оказалось верным. (Her prophecy about the future turned out to be true.)

  Her prophecy about the future turned out to be true.

• В романе описывается таинственное предсказание старца. (The novel describes the mysterious prediction of an elder.)

  The novel describes the mysterious prediction of an elder.

• Это предсказание основано на научных данных, а не на пророчестве. (This prediction is based on scientific data, not on prophecy.)

  This prediction is based on scientific data, not on prophecy.

• Пророчество Нострадамуса до сих пор изучают историки. (Nostradamus's prophecy is still studied by historians.)

  Nostradamus's prophecy is still studied by historians.

A statement or message from a prophet or visionary

Translation(s) & Context:

• пророчество - In religious or spiritual contexts, emphasizing divine origin.
• предсказание - In secular contexts, like fortune-telling or predictions in media.

Usage Examples:

• Пророчество пророка Исайи повлияло на многие религии. (The prophecy of the prophet Isaiah influenced many religions.)

  The prophecy of the prophet Isaiah influenced many religions.

• Астролог сделала предсказание на основе звезд. (The astrologer made a prediction based on the stars.)

  The astrologer made a prediction based on the stars.

• Это пророчество стало частью фольклора. (This prophecy became part of folklore.)

  This prophecy became part of folklore.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'пророчество' and 'предсказание' are neuter nouns in Russian, following the third declension pattern with regular inflections. They change based on case, number, and gender agreements.

For 'предсказание', the inflections are similar: Nominative singular - предсказание, Plural - предсказания, etc. These nouns are regular and do not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • предвидение (foreseeing; more about intuition than divine prophecy)
  • визионерство (visionary insight; used in creative or artistic contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • реальность (reality; contrasts with the speculative nature of prophecy)
  • сомнение (doubt; implies uncertainty against prophetic certainty)

Related Phrases:

• Библейское пророчество (Biblical prophecy) - Refers to prophecies from the Bible, often with religious connotations.
• Историческое предсказание (Historical prediction) - Used for forecasts in historical events or analyses.
• Пророчество о конце света (Prophecy of the end of the world) - A phrase common in apocalyptic discussions.

Usage Notes:

• Choose 'пророчество' for contexts involving divine or mystical elements, as it aligns closely with the English 'prophecy' in religious texts; 'предсказание' is better for everyday or scientific predictions to avoid overly dramatic tones.
• Be mindful of case changes in sentences; for example, use genitive for possession (e.g., "пророчества Нострадамуса").
• In formal writing, 'пророчество' is preferred, while 'предсказание' fits informal or modern usage like news reports.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse cases, e.g., saying "о пророчество" instead of "о пророчестве" (correct prepositional case). Error: о пророчество (incorrect); Correct: о пророчестве; Explanation: Russian nouns require the appropriate case based on prepositions.
• Confusing with synonyms: Using 'предсказание' in a religious context, e.g., "библейское предсказание" instead of "библейское пророчество." Error: библейское предсказание; Correct: библейское пророчество; Explanation: 'Предсказание' sounds too secular for sacred contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'пророчество' often carries strong associations with Orthodox Christianity and Slavic folklore, such as the prophecies in "The Tale of Igor's Campaign." It symbolizes fate and divine intervention, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on mysticism and spirituality in literature.

Related Concepts:

• пророк (prophet)
• визионер (visionary)
• апокалипсис (apocalypse)