Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'temperance'

English Word: temperance

Key Russian Translations:

• Умеренность [ʊmʲɪˈrʲenʲnəstʲ] - [Formal, often used in philosophical or ethical contexts]
• Воздержанность [vɐzdrʲɪˈʐannəstʲ] - [Formal, particularly in religious or self-discipline scenarios]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, ethics discussions, and formal writing, but less so in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and nominal inflections, with "Умеренность" being slightly easier due to regular patterns, while "Воздержанность" may pose challenges with pronunciation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Умеренность: [ʊmʲɪˈrʲenʲnəstʲ]

Note on Умеренность: The stress falls on the third syllable ("rʲenʲ"), which is a common point of difficulty for English speakers; ensure to emphasize it for natural flow.

Воздержанность: [vɐzdrʲɪˈʐannəstʲ]

Note on Воздержанность: The "ʐ" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, similar to the "zh" in "measure," and the word has a rolling rhythm due to its length—practice in phrases for better mastery.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Moderation or self-restraint in behavior, often as a virtue

Translation(s) & Context:

• Умеренность - Typically used in contexts involving ethical self-control, such as diet or lifestyle choices, in formal or written Russian.
• Воздержанность - Applied in scenarios of abstinence, like religious fasting or moral restraint, often in more solemn or institutional settings.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда проповедует умеренность в повседневной жизни, чтобы избежать крайностей.

  He always preaches temperance in everyday life to avoid extremes.

• Воздержанность от алкоголя считается важной частью здорового образа жизни в многих культурах.

  Abstinence from alcohol is considered an important part of a healthy lifestyle in many cultures.

• В её философии умеренность играет ключевую роль, помогая балансировать эмоции и действия.

  In her philosophy, temperance plays a key role in balancing emotions and actions.

• Молодые люди часто игнорируют воздержанность, что приводит к regrettable decisions.

  Young people often ignore temperance, leading to regrettable decisions.

• Умеренность в расходах позволяет семье накопить средства для будущего.

  Temperance in spending allows the family to save money for the future.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Умеренность" and "Воздержанность" are feminine abstract nouns (from the category of quality or state), following standard Russian nominal inflections. They decline according to the first declension pattern, which is regular but requires attention to case and number changes.

Note: These words do not change in gender or have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward, but always check context for case usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Самоконтроль [sɐməkɐnˈtrolʲ] - More focused on self-discipline, often in psychological contexts.
  • Модерация [mədʲɪˈraʦɨjə] - A direct borrowing, used in modern or technical discussions.
• Antonyms:
  • Распутство [rɐˈsputstvə] - Implies excess or indulgence, contrasting with moral restraint.
  • Экстремизм [ɛkstrʲɪˈmizm] - Refers to extremism or going to extremes, highlighting the opposite of balance.

Related Phrases:

• Умеренность в питании - Moderation in eating; a common phrase in health and diet advice.
• Воздержанность от вредных привычек - Abstinence from bad habits; used in self-improvement or addiction recovery contexts.
• Практиковать умеренность - To practice temperance; often in philosophical or motivational speech.

Usage Notes:

Choose "Умеренность" for general discussions of balance and moderation, as it aligns closely with the English concept of temperance in everyday ethics. "Воздержанность" is better for contexts involving complete restraint, such as religious vows. Be mindful of formal register; these words are rarely used in casual speech. Grammatically, they function as abstract nouns, so they inflect based on case (e.g., in genitive for possession). English learners should note that Russian often pairs these with verbs like "практиковать" (to practice) for dynamic usage.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "Умеренность" with "Воздержанность": Learners might overuse "Воздержанность" to mean simple moderation, but it implies total abstinence. Correct: Use "Умеренность" for balanced restraint. Example of error: "Я практикую воздержанность в еде" (when meaning moderate eating); Correct: "Я практикую умеренность в еде".
• Incorrect inflection: Forgetting case changes, e.g., using nominative in genitive contexts. Error: "Без умеренность" (should be "Без умеренности"). Explanation: Always adjust for case to maintain grammatical accuracy in Russian sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "Умеренность" are deeply rooted in Orthodox Christianity and traditional philosophy, echoing ideas from figures like Tolstoy, who emphasized self-restraint for moral and spiritual growth. "Воздержанность" often appears in contexts of fasting during religious holidays, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on endurance and piety, which can differ from Western interpretations of temperance as mere moderation.

Related Concepts:

• Терпение [tʲɛrˈpʲenʲije] - Patience
• Самодисциплина [sɐmədʲɪsʲtʲsʲɪˈplʲinə] - Self-discipline
• Баланс [bɐˈlans] - Balance