Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'righteous'

English Word: righteous

Key Russian Translations:

• Праведный [ˈpravʲɪdnɨj] - [Formal, often used in religious or moral contexts]
• Справедливый [sprɐˈfʲedlʲɪvɨj] - [Formal, commonly used in legal or ethical discussions]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in literature, religious texts, and everyday discussions about ethics, but not as commonly as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; learners at this level should grasp the concept with some exposure to Russian grammar and vocabulary, though nuances in moral contexts may require additional practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Праведный: [ˈpravʲɪdnɨj]

Справедливый: [sprɐˈfʲedlʲɪvɨj]

Note on Праведный: The stress falls on the first syllable, and the 'в' sound can be challenging for English speakers as it's a voiced labiodental fricative; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Note on Справедливый: This word has a more complex consonant cluster; ensure the 'spr' is pronounced fluidly without pausing. Variations in regional accents may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Morally right or virtuous (Referring to someone who adheres to high ethical standards, often with a religious connotation)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Праведный - Used in formal or religious contexts, such as describing saints or ethical behavior in sermons.
• Справедливый - Less religious, more about general fairness, but can overlap in moral discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он жил праведной жизнью, помогая бедным и следуя заповедям. (He lived a righteous life, helping the poor and following the commandments.)

  English Translation: He lived a righteous life, helping the poor and following the commandments.

• Праведный человек всегда ставит справедливость выше личной выгоды. (A righteous person always puts justice above personal gain.)

  English Translation: A righteous person always puts justice above personal gain.

• В этой истории герой изображен как праведный воин, борющийся против зла. (In this story, the hero is depicted as a righteous warrior fighting against evil.)

  English Translation: In this story, the hero is depicted as a righteous warrior fighting against evil.

• Праведные поступки часто требуют жертв, но они укрепляют душу. (Righteous actions often require sacrifices, but they strengthen the soul.)

  English Translation: Righteous actions often require sacrifices, but they strengthen the soul.

Meaning 2: Just and fair in judgment or actions (Implying impartiality and equity)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Справедливый - Commonly used in legal, social, or everyday contexts to describe fair decisions or people.
• Праведный - Occasionally used, but more aligned with moral purity than strict justice.

Usage Examples:

• Судья вынес справедливое решение, основанное на фактах. (The judge made a righteous decision based on the facts.)

  English Translation: The judge made a righteous decision based on the facts.

• Справедливый лидер всегда слушает обе стороны перед принятием решения. (A righteous leader always listens to both sides before making a decision.)

  English Translation: A righteous leader always listens to both sides before making a decision.

• В обществе, где праведность ценится, люди стремятся к честности. (In a society where righteousness is valued, people strive for honesty.)

  English Translation: In a society where righteousness is valued, people strive for honesty.

• Ее справедливые действия помогли разрешить конфликт мирно. (Her righteous actions helped resolve the conflict peacefully.)

  English Translation: Her righteous actions helped resolve the conflict peacefully.

• Праведный подход к проблеме включает учет моральных последствий. (A righteous approach to the problem includes considering moral consequences.)

  English Translation: A righteous approach to the problem includes considering moral consequences.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Праведный" and "Справедливый" are adjectives in Russian, which means they decline based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern of agreement with the nouns they modify. They are not irregular but require attention to endings.

Note: These adjectives do not change in comparative forms unless modified (e.g., более праведный for "more righteous"). If the adjective is used predicatively, it may not decline as strictly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Благочестивый (blagochestivyy) - More religious connotation, emphasizing piety.
  • Честный (chestnyy) - General honesty, less formal than Праведный.
• Antonyms:
  • Грешный (greshnyy) - Sinful, directly opposing moral righteousness.
  • Несправедливый (nespravedlivyy) - Unfair or unjust.

Related Phrases:

• Праведный путь - The righteous path (Refers to a morally correct way of living, often in spiritual contexts.)
• Справедливый суд - Fair trial (Used in legal settings to denote impartial justice.)
• Быть праведным в глазах Бога - To be righteous in the eyes of God (A phrase from religious texts, emphasizing divine approval.)

Usage Notes:

"Праведный" is a closer match to the religious or moral undertones of "righteous" in English, while "Справедливый" aligns more with secular justice. Use "Праведный" in contexts involving ethics or spirituality, and "Справедливый" for legal or social fairness. Be mindful of Russian's adjective agreement rules, as they must match the noun's gender, number, and case. For English learners, avoid direct word-for-word translations; instead, consider the context to choose the appropriate Russian equivalent.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Праведный" in purely legal contexts, where "Справедливый" is more appropriate. For example, an English learner might say "праведный суд" instead of "справедливый суд". Correct: "Справедливый суд" means "fair trial", while "Праведный суд" could imply a morally pure judgment, which is less common.

• Error: Forgetting adjective declension, e.g., saying "праведный женщина" instead of "праведная женщина". Correct: Always decline the adjective to match the noun (feminine in this case). Explanation: Russian requires agreement, so this mistake can make the sentence sound ungrammatical to native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Праведный" often carry strong ties to Orthodox Christianity, where righteousness is linked to saints and moral living as depicted in folklore and literature (e.g., in Dostoevsky's works). This reflects a historical emphasis on spiritual purity in Russian society, contrasting with more secular interpretations in English-speaking cultures.

Related Concepts:

• Моральный (moralnyy)
• Этический (eticheskiy)
• Добродетель (dobrodetel')