Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sublime'

English Word: sublime

Key Russian Translations:

• возвышенный [vəzvɪˈʂɛnnɨj] - [Formal, used in literary or philosophical contexts]
• величественный [vʲɪlʲɪˈtɕɛstvennɨj] - [Informal, often in everyday descriptions of grandeur]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, art, and philosophical discussions, but not in casual everyday speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective agreement and nuanced vocabulary, though basic forms are accessible to learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

возвышенный: [vəzvɪˈʂɛnnɨj]

величественный: [vʲɪlʲɪˈtɕɛstvennɨj]

Note on возвышенный: The 'щ' sound ([ʂ]) can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 'sh' in 'she' but more guttural. Pronounce with emphasis on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Of high moral or intellectual value, often evoking admiration or awe.

Translation(s) & Context:

• возвышенный - Used in formal contexts like philosophy or ethics, to describe something spiritually elevating.
• величественный - Applied in more tangible contexts, such as describing majestic landscapes or ideas.

Usage Examples:

• Это произведение искусства возвышенно и трогает душу. (This work of art is sublime and touches the soul.)

  English: This work of art is sublime and touches the soul.

• Его речь была возвышенной, полной глубоких идей. (His speech was sublime, full of profound ideas.)

  English: His speech was sublime, full of profound ideas.

• Величественный вид гор заставил нас почувствовать себя малыми. (The sublime view of the mountains made us feel insignificant.)

  English: The sublime view of the mountains made us feel insignificant.

• Возвышенные идеалы революции вдохновляли народ. (The sublime ideals of the revolution inspired the people.)

  English: The sublime ideals of the revolution inspired the people.

Meaning 2: Impressive or awe-inspiring in a natural or aesthetic sense.

Translation(s) & Context:

• величественный - Common in descriptions of nature or art, emphasizing grandeur.
• возвышенный - Less common here, but used for elevated aesthetic experiences.

Usage Examples:

• Величественный закат над озером был незабываемым. (The sublime sunset over the lake was unforgettable.)

  English: The sublime sunset over the lake was unforgettable.

• Возвышенная красота поэзии Пушкина вечна. (The sublime beauty of Pushkin's poetry is eternal.)

  English: The sublime beauty of Pushkin's poetry is eternal.

• Эти величественные руины напоминают о былом величии. (These sublime ruins remind us of past grandeur.)

  English: These sublime ruins remind us of past grandeur.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are adjectives, which in Russian must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify. They follow standard first-declension adjective patterns, with no irregularities.

Note: These adjectives change endings based on case (e.g., Genitive: возвышенного for masculine). They do not have special verbal inflections as they are not verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • потрясающий (potryasayushchiy) - More emphatic, often for overwhelming experiences.
  • великолепный (velikolepnyy) - Similar to величественный, but with a focus on splendor.
• Antonyms:
  • пошлый (poshlyy) - Vulgar or commonplace.
  • тривиальный (trivyalnyy) - Trivial or ordinary.

Related Phrases:

• Возвышенный стиль (vozvischennyy stil) - Sublime style; refers to elevated artistic or literary expression.
• Величественная природа (velichestvennaya priroda) - Sublime nature; used for describing grand natural landscapes.
• Потрясающее зрелище (potryasayushchee zrelishche) - Awe-inspiring sight; a phrase for sublime visual experiences.

Usage Notes:

"Sublime" in English often carries a sense of transcendence, which aligns closely with "возвышенный" in Russian formal contexts, such as philosophy or literature. However, in everyday Russian, "величественный" might be preferred for describing physical grandeur to avoid sounding overly poetic. Be cautious with gender agreement when using these adjectives, as Russian requires exact matching with nouns. When choosing between translations, opt for "возвышенный" for intellectual or moral connotations and "величественный" for aesthetic ones.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "возвышенный" without proper adjective agreement, e.g., saying "возвышенный женщина" instead of "возвышенная женщина" (for feminine noun).

  Correct: возвышенная женщина. Explanation: Russian adjectives must inflect to match the noun's gender, number, and case; this is a common oversight for English speakers used to invariable adjectives.

• Error: Confusing "возвышенный" with "высокий" (high), leading to misuse in contexts of physical height.

  Correct: Use "возвышенный" for abstract elevation, not literal height. Explanation: "Высокий" means tall, while "возвышенный" implies moral or aesthetic superiority.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "возвышенный" often evoke the Romantic era's emphasis on nature and emotion, as seen in the works of poets like Pushkin or Lermontov. It reflects a deep appreciation for the sublime in art and nature, contrasting with Western interpretations influenced by philosophers like Kant, which may influence how Russians perceive grandeur in everyday life.

Related Concepts:

• прекрасный (prekrasnyy) - Beautiful
• вдохновляющий (vdokhnovlyayushchiy) - Inspiring
• эпический (epicheskiy) - Epic