Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'superstitious'

English Word: superstitious

Key Russian Translations:

• суеверный [suˈvʲernɨj] - [Informal/Formal, Adjective]
• предрассудочный [prʲɪdrɐˈsʊdətɕnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Used in more intellectual or academic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly encountered in everyday conversations, literature, and media discussing beliefs or folklore, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level should understand the concept, but mastering inflections and contextual usage requires familiarity with Russian adjective declensions and cultural nuances.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

суеверный: [suˈvʲernɨj]

Note on суеверный: The stress falls on the second syllable ("vʲern"), and the 'в' is pronounced as a voiced labiodental fricative. Be mindful of the palatalized 'вʲ' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations may occur in dialects, but standard Russian uses this form.

Audio: []

предрассудочный: [prʲɪdrɐˈsʊdətɕnɨj]

Note on предрассудочный: This word has a more complex structure; the 'ч' in 'тɕnɨj' is a voiceless palatal affricate. Pronounce it slowly to avoid blending syllables, as it's often used in formal writing.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Describing a person or belief characterized by irrational fear or faith in superstitions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• суеверный - Used in everyday contexts to describe someone who believes in omens or luck-based traditions, such as avoiding black cats.
• предрассудочный - Applied in more formal or analytical discussions, like in psychology or history, to critique outdated beliefs.

Usage Examples:

• Он суеверный и никогда не открывает зонт в помещении.

  He is superstitious and never opens an umbrella indoors.

• Её суеверные привычки включают ношение амулета для удачи.

  Her superstitious habits include wearing a good-luck amulet.

• В этой культуре предрассудочные верования всё ещё влияют на повседневную жизнь.

  In this culture, superstitious beliefs still influence everyday life.

• Суеверный человек может избегать ходить под лестницей.

  A superstitious person might avoid walking under a ladder.

• Предрассудочный подход к науке может препятствовать прогрессу.

  A superstitious approach to science can hinder progress.

Secondary Meaning: Referring to practices or objects associated with superstition.

Translation(s) & Context:

• суеверный - In contexts involving customs or items, like talismans, to emphasize irrationality.

Usage Examples:

• Это суеверный ритуал, который передаётся из поколения в поколение.

  This is a superstitious ritual passed down from generation to generation.

• Суеверные символы, такие как подкова, часто висят над дверью.

  Superstitious symbols, like a horseshoe, are often hung above the door.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives like "суеверный" follow the standard pattern for first-declension adjectives. "Предрассудочный" is similar but may vary slightly due to its complexity.

Note: These adjectives do not change for tense or person like verbs, but they must agree with the nouns they modify.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мистический [mʲɪˈstʲiʦkʲɪj] - More mystical connotation, often used in spiritual contexts.
  • верящий в приметы [vʲɛˈrʲaʂɨj vʲ prʲiˈmʲɛtɨ] - Literal phrase for someone believing in omens, less formal.
• Antonyms:
  • рациональный [rɐʦɨˈonalʲnɨj] - Emphasizes logical thinking over irrational beliefs.
  • скептический [skʲɛpˈtʲiʦkʲɪj] - Indicates doubt or disbelief in superstitions.

Related Phrases:

• суеверные поверья - Superstitious beliefs; Common in discussions about folklore and traditions.
• предрассудки и суеверия - Prejudices and superstitions; Used in educational or psychological contexts to explore irrational behaviors.
• суеверный страх - Superstitious fear; Refers to unfounded anxieties based on myths.

Usage Notes:

"Суеверный" directly corresponds to "superstitious" in most casual contexts, while "предрассудочный" is better for formal or analytical uses. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they describe, which can affect sentence structure. For example, use "суеверный" for masculine singular and "суеверная" for feminine. In informal speech, "суеверный" is preferred, but avoid it in academic writing where "предрассудочный" might be more appropriate. Cultural contexts often link these words to specific traditions, so consider the audience when choosing.

Common Errors:

• Using the base form without inflection: English learners might say "Он суеверный" when describing a feminine noun, but it should be "Она суеверная" for agreement. Correct: "Она суеверная женщина" (She is a superstitious woman). Error: "Она суеверный женщина" – This disrupts grammatical harmony and sounds unnatural.
• Confusing with synonyms: Mistaking "суеверный" for "мистический," which implies something more spiritual. Correct usage: Use "суеверный" for everyday superstitions, not mystical experiences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, superstitions like not whistling indoors (to avoid poverty) or sitting at corners during weddings (to remain unmarried) are deeply rooted in folklore. Words like "суеверный" often carry a light-hearted or nostalgic tone, reflecting Russia's rich history of Slavic pagan traditions blended with Orthodox influences, which can make learning these terms more engaging for English speakers exploring cultural anthropology.

Related Concepts:

• приметы
• амулет
• народные верования