Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'religious'

English Word: religious

Key Russian Translations:

• религиозный [rʲɪˈlʲiɡʲɪznɨj] - [Adjective, Formal, Singular]
• верующий [vʲɪˈruːʂɨj] - [Adjective/Noun, Informal, Often used for people]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions about faith, culture, or society, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and contextual usage; "религиозный" is straightforward, while "верующий" may vary slightly in nuance)

Pronunciation (Russian):

религиозный: [rʲɪˈlʲiɡʲɪznɨj]

верующий: [vʲɪˈruːʂɨj]

Note on религиозный: The stress falls on the third syllable; be careful with the soft 'л' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to or believing in a religion (e.g., pertaining to religious practices or beliefs)

Translation(s) & Context:

• религиозный - Used in formal contexts like describing beliefs or institutions, e.g., in academic or journalistic writing.
• верующий - More personal or informal, often referring to individuals who are devout.

Usage Examples:

• Он очень религиозный человек, который регулярно посещает церковь.

  He is a very religious person who regularly attends church.

• Религиозные традиции играют важную роль в нашей культуре.

  Religious traditions play an important role in our culture.

• Верующий может найти утешение в молитве во время трудных времен.

  A religious person may find comfort in prayer during difficult times.

• Эта книга обсуждает религиозные аспекты древней истории.

  This book discusses the religious aspects of ancient history.

• Многие верующие собираются на праздники, чтобы отметить религиозные события.

  Many religious people gather for holidays to celebrate religious events.

Meaning 2: Excessively or strictly observant of religious rules (e.g., in a pejorative sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• религиозный - Can imply strict adherence, often in neutral or critical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Его религиозный фанатизм отпугивает друзей.

  His religious fanaticism alienates his friends.

• Религиозный подход к повседневной жизни иногда приводит к конфликтам.

  A religious approach to everyday life sometimes leads to conflicts.

• Верующий в крайних проявлениях может игнорировать современные ценности.

  A religious person in extreme manifestations may ignore modern values.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "религиозный" and "верующий" are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. "Религиозный" follows standard adjective patterns, while "верующий" can also function as a noun.

Note: These are regular inflections; no irregular forms for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • духовный - More spiritual or ethereal connotation.
  • верный - Implies faithfulness, often in a religious context.
• Antonyms:
  • атеистический - Directly opposes belief in religion.
  • светский - Means secular or non-religious, suitable for formal contexts.

Related Phrases:

• религиозные праздники - Religious holidays; used in cultural or calendar discussions.
• верующий народ - A believing people; refers to communities with strong faith traditions.
• религиозный фанатизм - Religious fanaticism; highlights extreme devotion with potential negative implications.

Usage Notes:

"Религиозный" is the most direct translation for "religious" as an adjective and is versatile in both formal and informal settings, but it's best used when describing beliefs or practices. "Верующий" is preferable for individuals and carries a more personal tone. In Russian, adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, so always check the context. For example, choose "религиозный" over "верующий" in academic texts for precision. Be mindful of cultural sensitivity, as religion in Russia often ties to Orthodox Christianity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "религиозный" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "религиозный женщина" instead of "религиозная женщина". Correct: Always inflect to match the noun (feminine in this case). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with nouns, unlike English, which can lead to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing "религиозный" with "духовный", thinking they are interchangeable. Correct: "Духовный" emphasizes spirituality over organized religion. Example: Wrong: "Он духовный в церкви" (imprecise); Right: "Он религиозный в церкви".

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, terms like "религиозный" often evoke the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church, which has deep historical roots dating back to the 10th century. This can imply not just personal faith but also national identity, as seen in holidays like Easter. English speakers should note that religious discussions in Russian contexts may carry patriotic or traditional undertones, making the word more than just a descriptor of belief.

Related Concepts:

• церковь (church)
• вера (faith)
• молитва (prayer)