Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'suffering'

English Word: suffering

Key Russian Translations:

• страдание (/strɐˈdanʲje/) - [Formal, Singular, Used in literary or philosophical contexts]
• мука (/ˈmukə/) - [Informal, Plural possible, Used in everyday emotional descriptions]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, philosophy, and discussions of human experiences, but not as frequent in casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual usage; for "страдание" it's straightforward, but "мука" may vary slightly in nuance.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

страдание: /strɐˈdanʲje/ (The stress is on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'n' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

Note on страдание: The 'р' is rolled, and the ending '-ие' softens the pronunciation. Pay attention to the vowel shifts in inflected forms.

мука: /ˈmukə/ (Stress on the first syllable; the 'у' is pronounced like 'oo' in "book".)

Note on мука: This word can have a more intense, emotional connotation when pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship (physical or emotional)

Translation(s) & Context:

• страдание - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe profound, enduring suffering, such as in philosophical texts or discussions of human condition.
• мука - Applied in informal or emotional settings, often for intense personal torment, like in storytelling or daily conversations about grief.

Usage Examples:

• Он терпел большие страдания во время болезни. (He endured great suffering during his illness.)

  English Translation: He endured great suffering during his illness. (This example shows 'страдание' in a physical context with a noun phrase.)

• Её душевные муки не прекращались после потери. (Her emotional sufferings did not cease after the loss.)

  English Translation: Her emotional sufferings did not cease after the loss. (Here, 'мука' is used in a plural sense to convey ongoing psychological pain.)

• Страдания войны оставили неизгладимый след в его душе. (The sufferings of war left an indelible mark on his soul.)

  English Translation: The sufferings of war left an indelible mark on his soul. (Demonstrates 'страдание' in a historical or metaphorical context.)

• Каждый день она испытывала муки одиночества. (Every day she experienced the torments of loneliness.)

  English Translation: Every day she experienced the torments of loneliness. (Illustrates 'мука' in a repetitive, everyday emotional scenario.)

• В его глазах читалось глубокое страдание от несправедливости. (In his eyes, deep suffering from injustice was evident.)

  English Translation: In his eyes, deep suffering from injustice was evident. (Shows 'страдание' in an idiomatic expression involving facial expressions.)

Prolonged or intense emotional distress (often metaphorical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• страдание - In metaphorical uses, such as in poetry or psychology, to denote inner turmoil.
• мука - For more vivid, informal descriptions of mental anguish, like in personal narratives.

Usage Examples:

• Страдания любви иногда бывают невыносимыми. (The sufferings of love can sometimes be unbearable.)

  English Translation: The sufferings of love can sometimes be unbearable. (This highlights 'страдание' in a romantic or poetic context.)

• Его муки совести не давали ему покоя. (His torments of conscience gave him no peace.)

  English Translation: His torments of conscience gave him no peace. (Example of 'мука' in a moral or ethical dilemma.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'страдание' and 'мука' are nouns. 'Страдание' is a neuter noun of the second declension, which follows regular patterns. 'Мука' is a feminine noun that can be singular or plural and also follows standard declensions with some irregularities in certain cases.

Note: 'Мука' has a regular feminine pattern but can imply intensity in plural forms. These words do not change for gender but must agree in case with other elements in the sentence.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • боль (pain; more physical than emotional)
  • горе (sorrow; often used for grief with a nuance of loss)
• Antonyms:
  • счастье (happiness; direct opposite in emotional states)
  • радость (joy; contrasts with suffering in positive experiences)

Fine distinctions: 'Боль' is more immediate and physical, while 'горе' implies deeper, prolonged sadness.

Related Phrases:

• Душевное страдание (Emotional suffering) - Refers to inner psychological pain, often in therapeutic contexts.
• Муки ада (Torments of hell) - A metaphorical phrase for extreme suffering, used in literature or idiomatic expressions.
• Страдания народа (Sufferings of the people) - Common in historical or social discussions, denoting collective hardship.

Usage Notes:

'Страдание' closely mirrors the English 'suffering' in formal contexts, such as literature or philosophy, and is often used in singular form for abstract concepts. 'Мука' is more vivid and informal, suitable for emotional narratives, but avoid it in academic writing where 'страдание' is preferred. Always consider case agreement in Russian sentences, as these nouns must decline correctly. When choosing between translations, opt for 'страдание' for enduring, existential pain and 'мука' for intense, personal torment.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'страдание' in plural without context, e.g., saying "страданиями" incorrectly in a sentence. Correct: Ensure it agrees with the verb and other elements, as in "Он испытывает страдания" (He experiences sufferings). Explanation: Russian nouns must match in case, number, and gender; beginners often overlook declensions.
• Mistake: Confusing 'мука' with 'мука' meaning 'flour' (a homonym). Correct: In context of suffering, use with emotional descriptors, e.g., "душевная мука" instead of just "мука". Explanation: Context clarifies meaning, but literal translations can lead to errors in vocabulary selection.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'страдание' often carry deep philosophical or spiritual connotations, influenced by literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works) and Orthodox Christianity, where suffering is seen as a path to redemption. This reflects a cultural emphasis on endurance and introspection, differing from more action-oriented Western views.

Related Concepts:

• тоска (longing or melancholy)
• страх (fear)
• несчастье (misfortune)