Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tribulation'

English Word: tribulation

Key Russian Translations:

• страдание [ˈstradanʲje] - [Formal, Literary]
• испытание [ɪspɨˈtanʲje] - [Formal, Often in religious or challenging contexts]
• бедствие [bʲɪdˈzʲenʲje] - [Formal, Emphasizing disaster or calamity]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary, religious, or formal texts, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of nuanced vocabulary and contexts; 'страдание' and 'испытание' are at B2, while 'бедствие' may be slightly easier at B1)

Pronunciation (Russian):

страдание: [ˈstradanʲje]

Note on страдание: The stress falls on the first syllable; be mindful of the soft 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

испытание: [ɪspɨˈtanʲje]

Note on испытание: The stress is on the third syllable; the 'ы' sound is a distinct Russian vowel, similar to a short 'i' in English.

бедствие: [bʲɪdˈzʲenʲje]

Note on бедствие: Pronunciation is relatively straightforward, but the palatalized 'д' and 'з' sounds add a soft quality common in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Severe suffering, distress, or hardship

Translation(s) & Context:

• страдание - Used in formal, literary, or emotional contexts to describe enduring pain or spiritual trials.
• испытание - Applied in contexts involving tests of faith, endurance, or life challenges, often with a sense of overcoming.
• бедствие - Employed for catastrophic events, like natural disasters, emphasizing widespread suffering.

Usage Examples:

• Во время войны люди пережили великие страдания, которые изменили их жизни навсегда.

  During the war, people endured great tribulations that changed their lives forever.

• Его испытание верой сделало его сильнее, несмотря на все трудности.

  His tribulation of faith made him stronger, despite all the hardships.

• Землетрясение стало настоящим бедствием для города, принесшим множество страданий.

  The earthquake became a real tribulation for the city, bringing much suffering.

• В повседневной жизни мелкие страдания, такие как потеря работы, могут показаться непреодолимыми.

  In everyday life, minor tribulations like losing a job can seem insurmountable.

Meaning 2: A trial or test of one's patience or resolve

Translation(s) & Context:

• испытание - Common in motivational or religious contexts, implying a challenge that leads to growth.
• страдание - Used metaphorically in personal development or philosophical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Это испытание научило его ценить простые радости жизни.

  This tribulation taught him to appreciate the simple joys of life.

• В истории полно примеров, где страдание ведет к великим достижениям.

  History is full of examples where tribulation leads to great achievements.

• Ее карьерное испытание включало множество неудач, но она не сдалась.

  Her career tribulation involved many setbacks, but she didn't give up.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations ('страдание', 'испытание', 'бедствие') are neuter nouns in Russian, which follow standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. They exhibit changes based on case, number, and gender agreement.

For 'испытание': Similar pattern, e.g., Nominative Singular: испытание; Plural: испытания. It is regular and follows standard rules.

For 'бедствие': Also regular, e.g., Nominative Singular: бедствие; Plural: бедствия. No irregular forms noted.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мука (muka) - Emphasizes intense pain or torment.
  • трудность (trudnost') - Focuses on general difficulties, less emotional than страдание.
  • горе (gore) - Implies deep sorrow, often with a personal touch.
• Antonyms:
  • радость (radost') - Joy or happiness.
  • успех (uspekh) - Success or achievement.
  • блаженство (blazhenstvo) - Bliss or contentment.

Related Phrases:

• страдания души - (Sufferings of the soul) - Refers to inner emotional or spiritual tribulations.
• тяжелое испытание - (Heavy tribulation) - Describes a severe test of endurance in life challenges.
• бедствие природы - (Natural tribulation) - Used for disasters like earthquakes or floods.

Usage Notes:

• 'Страдание' best matches 'tribulation' in contexts of prolonged suffering, especially in literature or philosophy, and is preferred in formal writing.
• 'Испытание' is ideal for scenarios involving trials that build character, similar to English 'ordeal', but avoid it for purely negative events.
• Be cautious with register: All translations are formal; in informal speech, Russians might use simpler words like 'проблема' (problema) for everyday tribulations.
• When choosing between translations, consider context—e.g., religious texts often use 'испытание' due to its biblical connotations.
• Grammatically, these nouns require agreement in case and number with other elements in the sentence.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'страдание' with 'страх' (fear), leading to incorrect usage like "страх во время войны" instead of "страдание во время войны".
  Correct: Use 'страдание' for suffering; Explanation: 'Страх' implies fear, not enduring hardship.
• Error: Overusing 'испытание' in non-testing contexts, e.g., saying "мое испытание" for a minor problem.
  Correct: Reserve for significant trials; Explanation: This can make speech sound overly dramatic in casual settings.
• Error: Failing to decline properly, e.g., using nominative 'страдание' in genitive contexts.
  Correct: Use 'страдания' in genitive; Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'страдание' and 'испытание' often appear in literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works) and Orthodox Christianity, where tribulations are seen as paths to redemption or spiritual growth. This reflects a cultural emphasis on resilience and the redemptive power of suffering, contrasting with more optimistic Western views.

Related Concepts:

• горе (sorrow)
• несчастье (misfortune)
• терпение (patience)