Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'spirituality'

English Word: spirituality

Key Russian Translations:

• духовность /ˈdu.xəf.nəsʲtʲ/ - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in philosophical, religious, or literary contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and noun declensions in Russian, as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

духовность: /ˈdu.xəf.nəsʲtʲ/

Note on духовность: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'х' sound is a guttural fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish "loch". Be mindful of the palatalized 'тʲ' at the end.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The state of being concerned with the human spirit or soul, often in a religious or philosophical sense

Translation(s) & Context:

• духовность - Used in formal discussions about personal growth, religion, or existential matters, such as in essays or lectures.

Usage Examples:

• В современном мире многие люди ищут духовность через медитацию и йогу.

  In the modern world, many people seek spirituality through meditation and yoga.

• Духовность играет ключевую роль в традиционных религиях, таких как православие.

  Spirituality plays a key role in traditional religions, such as Orthodox Christianity.

• Его книги о духовности помогли тысячам читателей найти внутренний покой.

  His books on spirituality have helped thousands of readers find inner peace.

• В отличие от материального благополучия, духовность фокусируется на эмоциональном и моральном развитии.

  Unlike material well-being, spirituality focuses on emotional and moral development.

• Молодое поколение часто ассоциирует духовность с экологическими движениями и осознанностью.

  The younger generation often associates spirituality with environmental movements and mindfulness.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Духовность" is a feminine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows regular patterns for feminine nouns ending in -ость. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • просветленность (prosveščennost') - Emphasizes enlightenment or illumination, often in a spiritual awakening context.
  • внутренний мир (vnutrenniy mir) - Refers more to inner peace, with subtle differences in emotional depth.
• Antonyms:
  • материализм (materializm) - Focuses on material possessions over spiritual matters.
  • скептицизм (skeptitsizm) - Implies doubt or rejection of spiritual concepts.

Related Phrases:

• духовный поиск (dukhovnyy poisk) - Spiritual quest; a journey for deeper meaning in life.
• духовное развитие (dukhovnoye razvitiye) - Spiritual development; the process of personal growth through spiritual practices.
• внутренняя духовность (vnutrennyaya dukhovnost') - Inner spirituality; referring to personal, introspective aspects.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "духовность" directly corresponds to the English "spirituality" in formal contexts like philosophy or religion, but it may carry a stronger connotation of religious tradition, especially in Russian Orthodox culture. Use it in written or academic settings rather than casual speech. When choosing between translations, opt for "духовность" for abstract discussions and "просветленность" for enlightenment-focused topics. Grammatically, always decline it according to the noun's case, as Russian requires agreement in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "духовность" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я ищу духовность" instead of the correct genitive in certain contexts like "Я ищу духовности в природе" (I seek spirituality in nature).
  Correct: Ensure the noun agrees with the case, such as dative for indirect objects. Explanation: Russian nouns must change form based on their role in the sentence, which English speakers often overlook.
• Mistake: Confusing it with "дух" (dukh, meaning spirit), leading to phrases like "дух жизни" instead of "духовность жизни".
  Correct: Use "духовность" for the abstract concept. Explanation: "Дух" is more concrete, referring to a spirit or ghost, so context is key to avoid miscommunication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "духовность" is deeply tied to the Orthodox Christian tradition, emphasizing moral and ethical development over material success. It often appears in literature by authors like Dostoevsky, where it reflects the Russian soul's quest for meaning amidst historical hardships. This cultural nuance can make the word feel more profound than its English counterpart in contexts involving national identity or spirituality.

Related Concepts:

• вера (vera) - Faith
• мораль (moral') - Morality
• просвещение (prosveščeniye) - Enlightenment