Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rabbi'

English Word: rabbi

Key Russian Translations:

• раввин [rɐˈvʲin] - [Formal, Religious context; used in discussions of Jewish religious leadership]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in religious, historical, or cultural discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and cultural contexts, suitable for learners with basic vocabulary in religion and society)

Pronunciation (Russian):

раввин: [rɐˈvʲin]

Note on раввин: The stress is on the second syllable ('vʲin'), which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalized 'v' sound. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects, but this is the standard Moscow variant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A religious leader in Judaism, typically a teacher or spiritual guide in a Jewish community.

Translation(s) & Context:

• раввин - Used in formal or academic contexts to refer to a rabbi in Jewish traditions, often in historical, religious, or cultural discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В нашей общине раввин проводит уроки Торы каждую субботу.

  In our community, the rabbi conducts Torah lessons every Saturday.

• Раввин объяснил значение праздника Рош ха-Шана во время службы.

  The rabbi explained the meaning of Rosh Hashanah during the service.

• Молодой раввин из Москвы написал книгу о еврейской истории.

  The young rabbi from Moscow wrote a book on Jewish history.

• Раввин всегда приветствует прихожан перед началом молитвы.

  The rabbi always greets the congregation before the prayer begins.

• В фильме главный герой становится раввином после многих лет обучения.

  In the film, the main character becomes a rabbi after years of study.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Раввин" is a masculine noun in the second declension group. It follows standard Russian noun patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with regular inflections across cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The plural form is used when referring to multiple rabbis, such as in a community or historical context. There are no irregular inflections for this word.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: рав (more informal or abbreviated, often used in casual speech or writing); духовный лидер (spiritual leader, broader term)
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "раввин" is a specific title; however, антирелигиозный деятель (antireligious figure) could be a conceptual opposite in certain contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Главный раввин - The chief rabbi; used to denote a leading figure in a Jewish community or organization.
• Раввинская семинария - Rabbinical seminary; refers to an institution for training rabbis, common in educational contexts.
• Раввинский совет - Rabbinical council; a group of rabbis providing guidance or decisions on religious matters.

Usage Notes:

The Russian term "раввин" directly corresponds to the English "rabbi" and is primarily used in formal, religious, or academic settings. It is borrowed from Hebrew via Yiddish and is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation outside of Jewish cultural contexts. When choosing this term, ensure the context involves Judaism; for broader spiritual leaders, consider alternatives like "духовный лидер." Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian case rules, as shown in the inflections table above. In multicultural discussions, "раввин" may carry specific connotations in Russian-speaking countries with Jewish populations, such as Russia or Israel.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "равин" instead of "раввин" (omitting the second 'в'). Correct: "раввин". Explanation: This misspelling alters the word's pronunciation and meaning; always include the full form to maintain accuracy in religious texts.

• Error: Failing to decline the noun properly, e.g., saying "в раввин" instead of "в раввине". Correct: "в раввине". Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change based on case; incorrect declension can make sentences grammatically incorrect and confusing for native speakers.

• Error: Confusing it with "равный" (meaning "equal"). Correct: Use "раввин" only for the religious title. Explanation: These words sound similar but have entirely different meanings; context is key to avoid semantic errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "раввин" is associated with Jewish heritage, particularly in regions with historical Jewish communities like Moscow or St. Petersburg. It reflects the influence of Yiddish and Hebrew on Russian vocabulary and often evokes themes of religious tolerance or historical persecution, as explored in Russian literature by authors like Isaac Babel. Understanding this term can deepen appreciation for Russia's multicultural history.

Related Concepts:

• синанога (synagogue)
• Тора (Torah)
• иудаизм (Judaism)