Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'supernatural'

English Word: supernatural

Key Russian Translations:

• сверхъестественный (/svʲɪrxʲjɪstʲɪˈstʲivənʲnɨj/) - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (Used in literature, discussions about mysticism, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of compound words and adjective forms in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сверхъестественный: /svʲɪrxʲjɪstʲɪˈstʲivənʲnɨj/

Note on сверхъестественный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable; be mindful of the soft consonants (e.g., 'xʲ' and 'jɪ') which can be challenging for English speakers due to Russian palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Relating to phenomena beyond the natural world, such as ghosts or magic.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сверхъестественный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe events or entities that defy scientific explanation, e.g., in horror stories or philosophical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В этом фильме показаны сверхъестественные события, такие как привидения и левитация.

  In this film, supernatural events are shown, such as ghosts and levitation.

• Многие древние культуры верили в сверхъестественные силы природы.

  Many ancient cultures believed in the supernatural forces of nature.

• Его сверхъестественные способности сделали его героем в фольклоре.

  His supernatural abilities made him a hero in folklore.

• Учёные отрицают сверхъестественные объяснения, предпочитая рациональные.

  Scientists deny supernatural explanations, preferring rational ones.

• В сверхъестественном мире героиня встречает мистических существ.

  In the supernatural world, the heroine encounters mystical beings.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

сверхъестественный is an adjective, which inflects based on gender, number, and case in Russian. It follows the standard pattern for first-declension adjectives. Below is a table of its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward once basic adjective declension is learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: мистический (mystical; often used for more spiritual contexts), потусторонний (otherworldly; implies beyond the physical realm)
• Antonyms: естественный (natural; basic opposite, used in scientific contexts), реальный (real; emphasizes tangibility)

Explanation: мистический may carry a more religious connotation, while потусторонний is ideal for supernatural entities in folklore.

Related Phrases:

• сверхъестественные силы - Supernatural forces; often used in discussions of mythology or fantasy.
• сверхъестественные явления - Supernatural phenomena; common in scientific skepticism or paranormal investigations.
• мир сверхъестественного - The world of the supernatural; refers to realms in literature or games.

Usage Notes:

сверхъестественный directly corresponds to "supernatural" in English, but it's more commonly used in formal, literary, or academic settings rather than casual speech. Be cautious with its placement in sentences, as Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify. For example, if choosing between translations, use мистический for spiritual themes and сверхъестественный for broader unnatural events. In everyday Russian, simpler alternatives might be preferred to avoid sounding overly formal.

• Contextual tip: In modern Russian media, this word appears frequently in horror genres, so it's useful for cultural discussions.
• Grammar note: Always ensure agreement, e.g., "сверхъестественное событие" for a neuter noun.

Common Errors:

English learners often mistake the declension, using the nominative form in all cases. For example:

• Incorrect: "Я верю в сверхъестественный силы" (wrong case agreement).
• Correct: "Я верю в сверхъестественные силы" (genitive plural).
• Explanation: Russian requires adjectives to change based on the noun's case; always check the noun's form first to avoid this error.

Another common mistake is overusing it in informal speech, where native speakers might opt for simpler words like "мистика" to sound more natural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts of the supernatural are deeply rooted in folklore, such as stories of домовые (house spirits) or ведьмы (witches) from Slavic mythology. The word сверхъестественный often evokes these traditions, especially in literature like that of Nikolai Gogol, where supernatural elements blend with everyday life, reflecting a historical fascination with the mystical in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• дух (spirit)
• мистика (mysticism)
• чудо (miracle)