Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'religion'

English Word: religion

Key Russian Translations:

• религия (/rʲɪˈlʲiɡʲɪjə/) - [Formal, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly used in discussions about culture, history, and society in Russian media and everyday conversations.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level can understand and use the word in context, but mastering its inflections requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

религия: /rʲɪˈlʲiɡʲɪjə/

Note on религия: The stress falls on the third syllable ('ги'), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's variable stress patterns. Pronounce the 'р' as a soft, rolled sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A system of faith, worship, and beliefs, often involving organized practices and community.

Translation(s) & Context:

• религия - Used in formal or academic contexts, such as discussing world religions or cultural history.

Usage Examples:

• В России христианство является доминирующей религией.

  In Russia, Christianity is the dominant religion.

• Религия играет важную роль в формировании этических норм общества.

  Religion plays an important role in shaping the ethical norms of society.

• Многие люди изучают разные религии, чтобы понять культурное разнообразие.

  Many people study different religions to understand cultural diversity.

• В современной России религия часто обсуждается в контексте светскости государства.

  In modern Russia, religion is often discussed in the context of state secularism.

• Религия может влиять на искусство, литературу и повседневную жизнь людей.

  Religion can influence art, literature, and people's daily lives.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Религия is a feminine noun (3rd declension in Russian). It follows regular noun declension patterns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declensions are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вера (vera) - More general, emphasizing faith; often used in personal or philosophical contexts.
  • конфессия (konfessiya) - Refers to a specific religious denomination, with a formal connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • атеизм (ateizm) - Directly opposes belief in religion.
  • агностицизм (agnosticizm) - Implies uncertainty about religious matters.

Related Phrases:

• религиозные верования (religious beliefs) - Refers to the core tenets of a faith; commonly used in discussions about personal spirituality.
• мировые религии (world religions) - Encompasses major global faiths; often in educational or comparative contexts.
• религиозные праздники (religious holidays) - Such as Пасха (Easter); highlights cultural celebrations tied to religion.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "религия" directly corresponds to the English "religion" but is often used in more formal or institutional contexts. It can refer to both the concept and specific systems like Christianity or Islam. Be mindful of the word's feminine gender, which affects adjective agreements (e.g., "христианская религия" for "Christian religion"). In everyday speech, Russians might prefer "вера" for personal faith to avoid sounding overly academic. When choosing between translations, use "религия" for broader, societal discussions and "вера" for individual beliefs.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "религия" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я изучаю религия" instead of "Я изучаю религию" (accusative case after the verb "изучать").

  Correct: Я изучаю религию. (Explanation: Russian verbs require the accusative case for direct objects, so adjust based on context.)

• Error: Confusing it with "вера," leading to misuse in formal writing, e.g., "Моя вера - это христианство" when a more precise term is needed.

  Correct: Моя религия - это христианство. (Explanation: "Вера" is more about personal faith, while "религия" specifies the organized system.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, "религия" carries significant cultural weight due to the country's history of Orthodox Christianity as the dominant faith, influenced by events like the Soviet era's atheism promotion. Today, it often intersects with national identity, as seen in holidays like Orthodox Easter, fostering a sense of community and tradition.

Related Concepts:

• церковь (church)
• верующий (believer)
• духовность (spirituality)