Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'selfless'

English Word: selfless

Key Russian Translations:

• бескорыстный /bʲɪsˈkorɨstnɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective]
• самоотверженный /sɐməɐtˈvʲɛrʐənnɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective, Often used in literary or ethical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions about ethics, personal character, and literature, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective forms and nuanced vocabulary; varies slightly by translation, with "бескорыстный" being slightly easier due to its straightforward usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бескорыстный: /bʲɪsˈkorɨstnɨj/ (The stress is on the third syllable; note the soft 'б' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.)

Note on бескорыстный: Pay attention to the palatalized 'с' and the reduced vowels in unstressed positions, typical in Russian phonetics.

самоотверженный: /sɐməɐtˈvʲɛrʐənnɨj/ (Stress on the fourth syllable; the 'ж' is pronounced as a soft 'zh' sound.)

Note on самоотверженный: This word often has a more emphatic pronunciation in spoken Russian, especially in emotional or rhetorical contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Acting without self-interest, prioritizing others' needs.

Translation(s) & Context:

• бескорыстный - Used in formal or written contexts to describe altruistic behavior, such as in ethical discussions or personal descriptions.
• самоотверженный - Applied in contexts involving sacrifice or dedication, often in heroic or literary narratives.

Usage Examples:

• Его бескорыстные действия помогли многим людям в беде.

  His selfless actions helped many people in need. (This example shows the adjective in a nominative context, emphasizing moral character.)

• Самоотверженный врач работал круглые сутки, спасая жизни.

  The selfless doctor worked around the clock, saving lives. (Illustrates use in a professional, sacrificial scenario.)

• В её бескорыстном поступке проявилось настоящее благородство.

  Her selfless act demonstrated true nobility. (Demonstrates the word in a more abstract, reflective context.)

• Самоотверженные родители всегда ставят детей на первое место.

  Selfless parents always put their children first. (Shows application in family dynamics with plural agreement.)

Secondary Meaning: Lacking personal ambition or ego.

Translation(s) & Context:

• бескорыстный - In psychological or self-reflective contexts, describing humility without ulterior motives.

Usage Examples:

• Бескорыстный лидер фокусируется на благе команды, а не на собственной славе.

  A selfless leader focuses on the team's well-being rather than personal glory. (Highlights use in leadership or organizational settings.)

• Её бескорыстный подход к работе вдохновил коллег.

  Her selfless approach to work inspired her colleagues. (Demonstrates the adjective modifying a noun in a professional context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "бескорыстный" and "самоотверженный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect for gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most first-declension adjectives, with some irregularities in spelling due to palatalization.

Note: These adjectives do not change in predicative position (e.g., after "быть" - to be), and they follow regular adjective declension rules without major irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • альтруистический (altruisticheskiy) - More modern and psychological connotation.
  • жертвенный (zhertvennyy) - Implies sacrifice, often in a religious or dramatic context.
• Antonyms:
  • эгоистичный (egoisticheskiy) - Direct opposite, emphasizing self-centered behavior.
  • самолюбивый (samolyubivyy) - Focuses on self-love or vanity.

Related Phrases:

• бескорыстная помощь - Selfless help; refers to aid given without expecting anything in return.
• самоотверженный поступок - Selfless act; used for heroic or altruistic deeds in narratives.
• бескорыстное служение - Selfless service; common in contexts like volunteering or community work.

Usage Notes:

"Selfless" translates most accurately to "бескорыстный" in everyday ethical discussions, while "самоотверженный" is better for contexts involving extreme dedication. In Russian, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key grammatical difference from English. For formal writing or speeches, prefer "бескорыстный" to convey a sense of moral integrity. When choosing between translations, consider the level of sacrifice implied—use "самоотверженный" for more intense scenarios. Avoid direct word-for-word translations; instead, focus on the context to ensure natural usage.

• In spoken Russian, these words are more common in educated or formal speech.
• They often pair with verbs like "быть" (to be) or nouns indicating actions, e.g., "бескорыстный человек" (a selfless person).

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse these adjectives by not adjusting for case and gender, leading to grammatically incorrect sentences. For example:

• Error: *Его бескорыстный действия* (incorrect because "действия" is plural neuter, so it should be "бескорыстные действия").
• Correct: Его бескорыстные действия. (Explanation: Adjectives must agree in number and case; here, plural requires "бескорыстные".)
• Error: *Самоотверженный врач работает* (if meant for feminine context, but this is actually correct; common mistake is over-palatalizing sounds in pronunciation).
• Correct: For feminine: Самоотверженная врач (if the doctor is female). (Explanation: Always check the noun's gender to inflect properly.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "бескорыстность" (selflessness) are highly valued, often glorified in literature (e.g., in works by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky) as a moral ideal. It reflects the traditional emphasis on collectivism and community over individualism, stemming from historical contexts like Soviet-era propaganda that promoted altruistic behavior for the greater good.

Related Concepts:

• жертвенность (sacrificial nature)
• альтруизм (altruism)
• благородство (nobility)