Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'theology'

English Word: theology

Key Russian Translations:

• теология /tʲɪɐlɐɡʲɪjə/ - [Formal, Academic]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in academic, religious, or scholarly contexts; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: Advanced (C1 level, as it involves specialized vocabulary and understanding of religious or philosophical concepts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

теология: /tʲɪɐlɐɡʲɪjə/

Note on теология: The stress falls on the third syllable (ла), and the initial 'т' is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian loanwords. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The study of the nature of God and religious belief, often in a systematic or academic manner.

Translation(s) & Context:

• теология - Used in formal academic, theological, or philosophical discussions; corresponds directly to the English term in contexts like university courses or religious texts.

Usage Examples:

• В университете я изучаю теологию, чтобы лучше понять историю религий.

  At the university, I study theology to better understand the history of religions.

• Теология часто включает анализ священных текстов и этических принципов.

  Theology often involves analyzing sacred texts and ethical principles.

• Современная теология адаптируется к научным открытиям и социальным изменениям.

  Modern theology adapts to scientific discoveries and social changes.

• В теологии есть разные школы, такие как христианская и исламская теология.

  In theology, there are different schools, such as Christian and Islamic theology.

• Изучение теологии помогает в развитии критического мышления о духовных вопросах.

  Studying theology helps in developing critical thinking about spiritual matters.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"теология" is a feminine noun (feminine singular) borrowed from Greek via English. It follows the standard first declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -ия. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: As a loanword, its inflections are regular, but in some contexts, it may remain unchanged in informal use.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • религиоведение (religiovedenie) - More focused on the scientific study of religion, often used interchangeably in academic settings.
  • богословие (bogoslovie) - Emphasizes theological doctrine, particularly in Christian contexts, with a slight nuance towards divine aspects.
• Antonyms:
  • атеизм (ateizm) - Refers to the rejection of belief in gods or theism.
  • агностицизм (agnosticizm) - Denotes uncertainty about the existence of God or religious truths.

Related Phrases:

• христианская теология - Christian theology; Refers to the study of Christian beliefs and doctrines.
• философия религии - Philosophy of religion; A broader phrase that overlaps with theology in examining religious concepts.
• история теологии - History of theology; Used for discussing the evolution of theological thought over time.

Usage Notes:

"Теология" is a direct borrowing from English and Greek roots, making it a precise equivalent for "theology" in formal contexts. It is typically restricted to academic, religious, or intellectual discussions and should be avoided in casual conversations. When choosing between synonyms like "богословие," opt for "теология" if the focus is on a more neutral, cross-religious study; "богословие" is better for Christian-specific contexts. Grammatically, as a feminine noun, it requires agreement in gender, number, and case with adjectives or verbs (e.g., "эта теология важна" - this theology is important).

Common Errors:

• Confusing "теология" with "богословие": English learners might use "теология" interchangeably with "богословие," but the latter is more specific to Christian theology. Incorrect: "Я изучаю богословие для общего знания религий." Correct: "Я изучаю теологию для общего знания религий." Explanation: "Теология" is broader and less denomination-specific.

• Mispronouncing the word: Learners often overlook the palatalized 'т' sound. Incorrect pronunciation: /tɛlɔɡiə/ (as in English). Correct: /tʲɪɐlɐɡʲɪjə/. Explanation: Practice with native audio to master the Russian phonetics.

• Incorrect inflection: Forgetting to change the ending in different cases, e.g., using "теология" in genitive instead of "теологии." Incorrect: "Книга о теология." Correct: "Книга о теологии." Explanation: Always adjust for case to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "теология" is often linked to the Russian Orthodox Church, which has a profound historical influence on Russian society. For instance, theological studies in Russia frequently incorporate Orthodox traditions, saints, and historical events like the Kievan Rus' conversion to Christianity in 988 AD. This can add a layer of cultural depth, where theology is not just academic but intertwined with national identity and spirituality.

Related Concepts:

• религия (religion)
• философия (philosophy)
• духовность (spirituality)
• этика (ethics)