Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'temptation'

English Word: temptation

Key Russian Translations:

• искушение (/ɪsˈkuʂənʲɪje/) - [Formal, often used in philosophical or religious contexts]
• соблазн (/sɐˈbla zn/) - [Informal, commonly used in everyday conversations]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in literature, media, and daily speech, but not as commonly as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual nuances. For 'искушение', it may be slightly easier; for 'соблазн', it aligns with B1 due to common usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

искушение: /ɪsˈkuʂənʲɪje/

Note on искушение: The stress falls on the second syllable ('ku'), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to the soft 'sh' sound (щ). Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

соблазн: /sɐˈbla zn/

Note on соблазн: The 'z' sound is voiced and can blend with the following consonant; pay attention to the unstressed vowels, which reduce in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The desire to do or have something, especially something wrong, unwise, or forbidden.

Translation(s) & Context:

• искушение - Used in formal or reflective contexts, such as moral dilemmas or religious discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он долго сопротивлялся искушению, но в конце концов поддался.

  He resisted the temptation for a long time but eventually gave in.

• В пустыне Иисус выдержал великое искушение от дьявола.

  In the desert, Jesus withstood the great temptation from the devil.

• Искушение купить новую машину было сильным, несмотря на финансовые трудности.

  The temptation to buy a new car was strong, despite financial difficulties.

• Её искушение солгать возникло из страха потерять работу.

  Her temptation to lie arose from the fear of losing her job.

Meaning 2: Something that attracts or tempts someone, often in a seductive or alluring way.

Translation(s) & Context:

• соблазн - Used in informal settings, such as personal desires or everyday temptations, like food or material goods.

Usage Examples:

• Шоколадный торт был большим соблазном после диеты.

  The chocolate cake was a big temptation after the diet.

• Для молодого человека путешествие за границу стало сильным соблазном.

  Traveling abroad became a strong temptation for the young man.

• Соблазн пропустить тренировку был велик, но она всё равно пошла.

  The temptation to skip the workout was great, but she went anyway.

• В магазине витрины полны соблазна для импульсивных покупателей.

  Store windows are full of temptation for impulsive shoppers.

• Его соблазн вернуться к старым привычкам оказался непреодолимым.

  His temptation to return to old habits proved irresistible.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'искушение' and 'соблазн' are neuter nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard neuter declension patterns. They are not irregular but do change based on case and number.

For 'искушение' (neuter, 2nd declension):

For 'соблазн' (neuter, 2nd declension, similar pattern):

These nouns do not change in gender but must agree in case with other words in the sentence.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • препятствие (prepyatstviye) - More neutral, implies an obstacle with allure.
  • приманка (primanka) - Often used for bait or lure in a literal sense.
• Antonyms:
  • сопротивление (soprotivleniye) - Resistance or opposition to temptation.
  • воздержание (vozderzhaniye) - Self-restraint or abstinence.

Related Phrases:

• Поддаться соблазну - To give in to temptation; used in contexts of weakness or indulgence.
• Сопротивляться искушению - To resist temptation; common in moral or self-improvement discussions.
• Великий соблазн - A great temptation; implies something overwhelmingly attractive.

Usage Notes:

'Искушение' is a more formal equivalent of 'temptation' and is often linked to ethical or spiritual contexts, similar to its use in English literature. In contrast, 'соблазн' is informal and everyday, akin to 'temptation' in casual speech. Choose 'искушение' for written or serious discussions, and 'соблазн' for spoken language. Grammatically, both are neuter nouns, so they require agreement in gender, number, and case (e.g., "большое искушение" for "a big temptation"). Be cautious with prepositions; for example, use "перед соблазном" for "before the temptation."

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'искушение' with 'соблазн' and use them interchangeably without considering context. Error: Using 'соблазн' in a formal essay (e.g., "Это соблазн в религии"). Correct: "Это искушение в религии." Explanation: 'Соблазн' is too casual for formal writing.

• Misdeclining the noun, such as using the wrong case (e.g., "Я видел соблазн" instead of "Я видел соблазном" in instrumental case). Correct: "Я сопротивлялся соблазном" (I resisted the temptations). Explanation: Always match the case to the sentence structure to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'искушение' often carries biblical connotations, as seen in Orthodox Christianity, where it references stories like the temptation of Christ. This adds a layer of moral depth, making it more than just a simple desire—it's tied to themes of sin and redemption. 'Соблазн', on the other hand, is more secular and appears in modern literature and media, reflecting everyday struggles with materialism in contemporary Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• грех (greh) - Sin
• желание (zhelaniye) - Desire
• покаяние (pokayaniye) - Repentance