Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scripture'

English Word: scripture

Key Russian Translations:

• Писание [pʲɪˈsanʲɪje] - [Formal, Religious context; used in theological discussions]
• Священное Писание [svʲɪˈʂt͡ɕenːəje pʲɪˈsanʲɪje] - [Formal, Plural form possible; used when referring to canonical texts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in religious, literary, or academic contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with religious terminology and basic Russian noun inflections; for "Писание" alone, it might be B1, while "Священное Писание" could edge toward B2 due to compound structure)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Писание: [pʲɪˈsanʲɪje]

Священное Писание: [svʲɪˈʂt͡ɕenːəje pʲɪˈsanʲɪje]

Note on Писание: The stress falls on the third syllable; be mindful of the soft 's' sound (palatalized), which is a common challenge for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation may occur in different dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Sacred or religious texts, such as the Bible or other canonical writings

Translation(s) & Context:

• Писание - Used in formal religious discussions, e.g., in sermons or theological texts.
• Священное Писание - Applied in broader contexts involving holy scriptures, often in plural or compound forms for emphasis on sanctity.

Usage Examples:

• В Библии Писание описывает историю сотворения мира.

  In the Bible, scripture describes the history of the world's creation.

• Церковь учит, что Священное Писание является источником истины.

  The church teaches that holy scripture is the source of truth.

• Изучение Писания помогает понять моральные ценности общества.

  Studying scripture helps understand the moral values of society.

• В современном мире Священное Писание часто интерпретируется по-разному.

  In the modern world, holy scripture is often interpreted in various ways.

• Писание в исламе включает Коран и другие священные тексты.

  Scripture in Islam includes the Quran and other sacred texts.

Secondary Meaning: Any written authority or fundamental text in a non-religious context

Translation(s) & Context:

• Писание - Informally used in metaphorical senses, such as in literature or law, but less common.

Usage Examples:

• Это произведение стало Писанием для поколения поэтов.

  This work became scripture for a generation of poets.

• В юридической практике Писание конституции является основой.

  In legal practice, the scripture of the constitution is the foundation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Писание" is a neuter noun in Russian, following the standard third declension pattern for neuter nouns ending in -ие. It has regular inflections based on case and number. "Священное Писание" is a compound phrase where "Священное" is an adjective agreeing with "Писание."

For "Священное Писание," the adjective "Священное" changes to agree: e.g., Genitive: Священного Писания. This is a regular pattern for adjectives in Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Библия [bʲɪˈblʲɪjə] - Specifically for the Bible, with a more precise religious connotation.
  • Священные тексты [svʲɪˈʂt͡ɕenːəje ˈtʲekstɨ] - Broader term for sacred writings, often used interchangeably in formal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • Нерелигиозная литература [nʲɛrʲɪlʲɪˈɡoznəjə lʲɪtʲɪrəˈturə] - Secular literature, contrasting with religious texts.
  • Миф [mʲif] - Myth, implying non-canonical or fictional stories.

Related Phrases:

• Священное Писание Библии [svʲɪˈʂt͡ɕenːəje pʲɪˈsanʲɪje ˈbʲɪblʲɪjə] - Holy scripture of the Bible; used in theological studies to refer to specific canonical books.
• Изучение Писания [ɪzʊˈt͡ɕenʲɪje pʲɪˈsanʲɪje] - Study of scripture; a common phrase in educational or religious settings, emphasizing analysis and interpretation.
• Писание как основа веры [pʲɪˈsanʲɪje kak ɐˈsnovə vʲɛrɨ] - Scripture as the foundation of faith; highlights the role in religious doctrine.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "Писание" directly corresponds to "scripture" in English, particularly in religious contexts, but it is more formal and less versatile than English equivalents. Use "Священное Писание" for emphasis on holiness, especially in Orthodox Christian settings. Be cautious with context: in secular discussions, it might sound overly religious. Grammar-wise, always ensure adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the noun. When choosing between translations, opt for "Писание" in general references and "Священное Писание" for specific holy texts.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "Писание" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "Я читал Писания" incorrectly in contexts requiring singular. Correct: "Я читал Писание" for singular nominative. Explanation: Russian nouns must inflect based on case; English speakers often overlook this, leading to grammatical errors.
• Mistake: Confusing with "писать" (to write), e.g., mistakenly using "Писание" as a verb form. Correct: "Писание" is a noun; use "я пишу" for "I write." Explanation: The similarity in roots can cause confusion, but remember "Писание" is derived from "писать" yet functions as a fixed noun.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, particularly within the Orthodox tradition, "Писание" often refers to the Bible and holds profound spiritual significance, influencing literature, art, and daily life. It embodies not just text but a living tradition, as seen in icons and festivals, reflecting Russia's historical ties to Christianity since the 10th century.

Related Concepts:

• Библия
• Евангелие
• Тора