Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'soliloquy'

English Word: soliloquy

Key Russian Translations:

• монолог [mɐˈnoloɡ] - [Formal, Literary]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly encountered in literary and theatrical contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with literary vocabulary and basic Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

монолог: [mɐˈnoloɡ]

Note on монолог: The stress falls on the second syllable ('no'), which is a common feature in Russian nouns. Be careful with the soft sign (л) affecting the preceding vowel's pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A speech in a play where a character speaks their thoughts aloud, alone.

Translation(s) & Context:

• монолог - Used in formal, theatrical, or literary contexts to describe a character's inner monologue or speech to themselves.

Usage Examples:

• В пьесе Шекспира персонаж произносит монолог, раскрывая свои внутренние конфликты.

  In Shakespeare's play, the character delivers a soliloquy, revealing their inner conflicts.

• Актер мастерски исполнил монолог Гамлета, заставив зрителей задуматься о жизни и смерти.

  The actor masterfully performed Hamlet's soliloquy, making the audience reflect on life and death.

• В современном театре монолог часто используется для показа психологической глубины персонажа.

  In modern theater, a soliloquy is often used to showcase the psychological depth of a character.

• Ее монолог в фильме был эмоциональным, как будто она говорила сама с собой.

  Her soliloquy in the film was emotional, as if she were speaking to herself.

• Монолог героя подчеркнул тему одиночества в русской литературе.

  The hero's soliloquy highlighted the theme of loneliness in Russian literature.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Монолог" is a masculine noun in Russian, and it follows the standard second-declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. It has regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • самообщение (self-communication; more psychological, less theatrical)
  • внутренний монолог (internal monologue; emphasizes introspection)
• Antonyms:
  • диалог (dialogue; involves conversation between two or more parties)

Related Phrases:

• Внутренний монолог - Internal soliloquy; used to describe thoughts spoken aloud in one's mind.
• Театральный монолог - Theatrical soliloquy; common in stage performances to advance the plot.
• Монолог в литературе - Soliloquy in literature; refers to narrative devices in novels or poems.

Usage Notes:

• The Russian equivalent "монолог" directly corresponds to "soliloquy" in literary and dramatic contexts, but it can also apply to modern media like films. Use it in formal settings; for informal discussions, English speakers might prefer descriptive phrases.
• When choosing between translations, "монолог" is the most precise for theatrical use, while "самообщение" is better for psychological contexts.
• Grammatically, always consider case agreement; for example, use the genitive form "монолога" after prepositions like "о" (about).
• In Russian culture, soliloquies are prominent in classic literature, so this term often carries a dramatic flair.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "монолог" with "диалог" by using it in conversational contexts. Incorrect: "Они имели монолог." (They had a soliloquy – implies one person talking, not a conversation.) Correct: "Они вели диалог." (They had a dialogue.) Explanation: "Монолог" refers to one-sided speech, so use it only for solo expressions.
• Error: Forgetting case inflections, e.g., using nominative in all contexts. Incorrect: "О монолог" (instead of "О монологе"). Correct: "О монологе." Explanation: Russian nouns change based on case; always match the sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, soliloquies like those in the works of Alexander Pushkin or Anton Chekhov often explore deep philosophical themes, such as existentialism or personal turmoil. This reflects Russia's rich literary tradition, where internal monologues highlight individual struggles against societal norms, making "монолог" a symbol of introspection in art and theater.

Related Concepts:

• диалог
• монологический стиль
• внутренний диалог