Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'psychology'

English Word: psychology

Key Russian Translations:

• психология /psɪxɐˈlʲoɡʲɪjə/ - [Formal, Academic]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in educational, scientific, and professional contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and academic vocabulary, suitable for learners with a solid intermediate grasp of the language).

Pronunciation (Russian):

психология: /psɪxɐˈlʲoɡʲɪjə/

Note on психология: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("loɡʲɪjə"), which is common in Russian words ending in -ия. Be mindful of the soft "лʲ" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The study of the human mind and behavior

Translation(s) & Context:

• психология - Used in formal academic or professional settings to refer to the scientific discipline; common in discussions about mental health or education.

Usage Examples:

• Я изучаю психологию в университете. (Ya izuchayu psikhologiyu v universitete.)

  I am studying psychology at the university.

• Психология помогает понять поведение людей. (Psikhologiya pomogayet ponyat' povedeniye lyudey.)

  Psychology helps to understand people's behavior.

• В этой книге обсуждается социальная психология. (V etoy knige obsuzhdayetsya sotsial'naya psikhologiya.)

  This book discusses social psychology.

• Она работает в области клинической психологии. (Ona rabotaet v oblasti klinicheskoy psikhologii.)

  She works in the field of clinical psychology.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Психология" is a feminine noun (3rd declension) and follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns. It changes based on case and number, but as an abstract concept, it is often used in the singular. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: The plural form is rarely used unless referring to multiple branches or types of psychology.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • психология науки (psikhologiya nauki) - Emphasizes the scientific aspect, often used interchangeably in academic contexts.
  • душевная наука (dushevная nauka) - More poetic or outdated term, implying the study of the soul.
• Antonyms:
  • физиология (fiziologiya) - The study of physical functions, contrasting with mental processes.

Related Phrases:

• Социальная психология (Sotsial'naya psikhologiya) - Social psychology; refers to the study of how individuals interact in groups.
• Клиническая психология (Klinicheskaya psikhologiya) - Clinical psychology; involves therapy and mental health treatment.
• Психология развития (Psikhologiya razvitiya) - Developmental psychology; focuses on psychological changes over a lifetime, with a connotation of growth and learning in Russian culture.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "психология" directly corresponds to the English "psychology" as a field of study, but it is often used in more formal or academic contexts. Unlike English, where "psychology" can be casual, Russian speakers might pair it with adjectives for specificity (e.g., "социальная психология"). Be aware of gender agreement in sentences, as it is a feminine noun. When choosing translations, stick to "психология" for general use; alternatives like "душевная наука" are archaic and not recommended in modern contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Incorrectly using the nominative form in all cases, e.g., saying "Я интересуюсь психология" instead of "Я интересуюсь психологией" (genitive case required after prepositions like "интересуюсь").

  Correct: Я интересуюсь психологией. (I am interested in psychology.)

  Explanation: Russian requires proper declension; failing to do so can make the sentence grammatically incorrect and confusing.

• Error: Confusing it with "физиология" due to similar sounds, leading to misuse in sentences about mental health.

  Correct: Use "психология" for mind-related topics, not "физиология."

  Explanation: These are distinct fields, and mixing them up can alter the meaning entirely.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, psychology has been influenced by historical figures like Lev Vygotsky, whose theories on cognitive development are deeply embedded in education. The term "психология" often carries a connotation of introspection and societal analysis, reflecting Russia's literary tradition in works by authors like Dostoevsky, where psychological depth is explored.

Related Concepts:

• психиатрия (psikhiatriya)
• нейропсихология (neyropsikhologiya)
• когнитивная психология (kognitivnaya psikhologiya)