Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'reality'

English Word: reality

Key Russian Translations:

• реальность [rʲɪˈalʲnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (Common in written language, discussions, and philosophical contexts, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and abstract concepts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

реальность: [rʲɪˈalʲnəsʲtʲ]

Note on реальность: The stress is on the third syllable (al). Be mindful of the soft sign (ь) which affects pronunciation, making it softer and more palatalized.

Audio: Audio placeholder for реальность pronunciation (Insert actual audio link here)

Meanings and Usage:

The state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to what is imagined or perceived.

Translation(s) & Context:

• реальность - Used in formal, philosophical, or everyday contexts to discuss truth or actual existence, such as in debates or descriptions of real-world situations.

Usage Examples:

• В реальности всё оказалось не так, как я ожидал.

  In reality, everything turned out differently from what I expected.

• Мы должны жить в реальности, а не в иллюзиях.

  We must live in reality, not in illusions.

• Ребёнок не всегда отличает реальность от фантазии.

  A child doesn't always distinguish reality from fantasy.

• В реальности проекта учтены все возможные риски.

  In the reality of the project, all possible risks have been accounted for.

• Эта книга помогает понять реальность современной жизни.

  This book helps to understand the reality of modern life.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Реальность" is a feminine noun (3rd declension) in Russian, which means it undergoes regular declension based on case and number. It is invariant in the plural form in most contexts but can vary by case in singular.

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • действительность (deystvitel'nost') - Emphasizes the factual aspect, often used interchangeably but with a slight nuance towards evidence-based reality.
  • истинность (istinnost') - Focuses on truthfulness, suitable in philosophical or legal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • иллюзия (illyuziya) - Refers to something deceptive or imaginary.
  • фантазия (fantaziya) - Implies creativity or unreality, often positive in artistic contexts.

Related Phrases:

• В реальности - In reality; Used to contrast expectations with actual outcomes. (e.g., Often in explanations or corrections.)
• Реальность жизни - The reality of life; Refers to the harsh or true aspects of daily existence.
• Потерять связь с реальностью - To lose touch with reality; Common in psychological or metaphorical discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Реальность" directly corresponds to the English "reality" in most contexts, but it is more commonly used in formal or written Russian. English speakers should note that Russian often requires the noun to be declined based on its role in the sentence, such as in prepositional phrases (e.g., "в реальности"). When choosing between synonyms like "действительность," opt for "реальность" in abstract or general discussions, but use "действительность" for more concrete, evidence-based scenarios. Be cautious with word order, as Russian sentence structure can emphasize different elements.

Common Errors:

• English learners often forget to decline "реальность" correctly. For example, incorrectly using the nominative form in all cases: Incorrect: "Я думаю о реальность" (should be "о реальности" in the prepositional case). Correct: "Я думаю о реальности" – This error stems from English's lack of cases, so always check the sentence's grammatical function.

• Confusing it with synonyms: Learners might overuse "иллюзия" as an antonym without context, leading to: Incorrect: "Это иллюзия, а не реальность" when a more precise antonym is needed. Correct: Use "фантазия" for creative unreality. Explanation: Understand the subtle differences to avoid miscommunication in debates.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "реальность" often carries a philosophical weight, influenced by literary figures like Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, who explored the tension between reality and illusion in their works. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on introspection and the human condition, where acknowledging "реальность" can symbolize resilience in the face of historical hardships.

Related Concepts:

• факт (fact)
• истина (truth)
• иллюзия (illusion)