Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'realism'

English Word: realism

Key Russian Translations:

• реализм [rʲɪˈalʲɪzm] - [Formal; Used in philosophical, artistic, and literary contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in academic, artistic, and intellectual discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of abstract concepts and Russian nominal inflections, as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

реализм: [rʲɪˈalʲɪzm]

Note on реализм: The initial 'р' is a soft, palatalized consonant (rʲ), which can be challenging for non-native speakers. Stress falls on the second syllable. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: In art, literature, or philosophy, the representation of subjects as they are in reality, without idealization.

Translation(s) & Context:

• реализм - Used in formal contexts like art criticism, philosophy discussions, or literary analysis, emphasizing truthful depiction.

Usage Examples:

• В русской литературе реализм достиг пика в произведениях Толстого и Достоевского.

  In Russian literature, realism reached its peak in the works of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky.

• Художник предпочитает реализм, чтобы передать повседневную жизнь без прикрас.

  The artist prefers realism to depict everyday life without embellishments.

• Реализм в кино часто контрастирует с фантастикой, фокусируясь на реальных проблемах общества.

  Realism in cinema often contrasts with fantasy, focusing on real societal issues.

• Философы обсуждают реализм как подход, отрицающий идеализм в познании мира.

  Philosophers discuss realism as an approach that rejects idealism in understanding the world.

• В современном искусстве реализм сочетается с элементами абстракции для большего воздействия.

  In contemporary art, realism is combined with elements of abstraction for greater impact.

Meaning 2: The quality of being practical and realistic, as opposed to idealistic or impractical.

Translation(s) & Context:

• реализм - Applied in everyday discussions about decision-making, politics, or personal life, often implying a pragmatic approach.

Usage Examples:

• В политике реализм помогает принимать решения, основанные на фактах, а не на эмоциях.

  In politics, realism helps in making decisions based on facts rather than emotions.

• Его реализм в бизнесе позволил компании выжить во время кризиса.

  His realism in business allowed the company to survive during the crisis.

• Реализм подростка проявляется в том, чтобы ставить достижимые цели.

  A teenager's realism shows in setting achievable goals.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Реализм" is a masculine noun of the second declension in Russian. It follows regular nominal inflections, with changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The plural form is less common and used when referring to multiple instances or types of realism (e.g., in art movements).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • натурализм (naturalism; focuses more on detailed, objective representation)
  • верность жизни (fidelity to life; a more descriptive phrase for realistic depiction)
• Antonyms:
  • идеализм (idealism; emphasizes perfection or abstract ideals)
  • романтизм (romanticism; highlights emotion and imagination over reality)

Related Phrases:

• Социальный реализм - A style in art and literature emphasizing social issues; often used in Soviet-era contexts.
• Критический реализм - Critical realism; refers to a philosophical approach questioning assumptions about reality.
• Реализм в политике - Realism in politics; implies a pragmatic, fact-based strategy in international relations.

Usage Notes:

"Реализм" directly corresponds to the English "realism" in artistic and philosophical contexts but may carry cultural connotations in Russian, such as references to 19th-century Russian literature (e.g., works by Chekhov). It is typically formal and intellectual; avoid using in casual conversations. When choosing between translations, opt for "реализм" for general purposes, but specify the context (e.g., art vs. philosophy) to ensure precision. Grammatically, it requires appropriate case agreement with verbs and prepositions, such as in prepositional phrases (e.g., "в реализме" for "in realism").

Common Errors:

• Confusing "реализм" with "реализовать" (to implement or realize). Incorrect: "Я реализм план" (meant to say "realize a plan"). Correct: "Я реализую план". Explanation: "Реализм" is a noun, not a verb; use "реализовать" for actions.

• Overusing in informal settings. Incorrect: Using "реализм" in everyday talk like "Мой реализм в еде" (trying to say "my realistic approach to food"). Correct: Stick to formal contexts or use simpler alternatives like "прагматизм". Explanation: This makes speech sound overly academic and unnatural.

• Misinflecting the noun. Incorrect: "В реализм" (wrong case). Correct: "В реализме" (prepositional case). Explanation: Always adjust for case to match sentence structure in Russian grammar.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "реализм" is deeply tied to the 19th-century literary movement, exemplified by authors like Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, who portrayed the harsh realities of Russian society. This reflects Russia's historical emphasis on social critique through art, contrasting with Western romanticism and influencing modern Russian identity.

Related Concepts:

• модернизм (modernism)
• натурализм (naturalism)
• идеализм (idealism)