Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'true'

English Word: true

Key Russian Translations:

• истинный [ɪsˈtʲin.nɨj] - [Formal, used in philosophical or factual contexts]
• верный [ˈvʲernɨj] - [Informal, used for loyalty or correctness in everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, philosophy, and daily conversations, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective declensions and contextual nuances, suitable for learners with basic grammar knowledge)

Pronunciation (Russian):

истинный: [ɪsˈtʲin.nɨj]

Note on истинный: The stress falls on the second syllable; be mindful of the soft 't' sound, which is common in Russian adjectives.

Audio: []

верный: [ˈvʲernɨj]

Note on верный: The initial 'v' is pronounced with a soft palate, and the stress is on the first syllable; this word may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Accurate, factual, or genuine (referring to something that is real and not false)

Translation(s) & Context:

• истинный - Used in formal, academic, or philosophical contexts to emphasize authenticity.
• верный - Applied in informal settings for reliability or truthfulness in personal matters.

Usage Examples:

• Это истинная история, основанная на реальных событиях.

  This is a true story, based on real events.

• В науке мы всегда ищем верные факты, чтобы избежать ошибок.

  In science, we always seek true facts to avoid mistakes.

• Его слова оказались истинными, и мы ему поверили.

  His words turned out to be true, and we believed him.

• Верный друг всегда скажет правду, даже если это больно.

  A true friend will always tell the truth, even if it's painful.

Meaning 2: Loyal or faithful (referring to people or commitments)

Translation(s) & Context:

• верный - Common in relational contexts, such as friendships or partnerships.
• истинный - Less common here, but used for deeper, more formal loyalty, like in historical or literary descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Она была верным партнером в бизнесе на протяжении многих лет.

  She was a true partner in business for many years.

• Истинный лидер всегда остается верным своим принципам.

  A true leader always remains faithful to their principles.

• В трудные времена верные друзья не отступают.

  In difficult times, true friends do not back down.

• Этот истинный патриот посвятил жизнь своей стране.

  This true patriot dedicated his life to his country.

• Верный супруг поддерживает свою семью в любых обстоятельствах.

  A true spouse supports their family in any circumstances.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "истинный" and "верный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern of agreement with nouns and can be either short-form or long-form, though long-form is more common in modern usage.

For "истинный" (an adjective with a hard stem):

For "верный" (also a hard-stem adjective, with regular inflections):

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular forms but must agree with the noun they modify. In short form (e.g., for predicates), "истинный" becomes "истинен" in masculine singular.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • правильный (more neutral, meaning correct or accurate; often used interchangeably in everyday contexts)
  • реальный (emphasizes reality over falsehood)
• Antonyms:
  • ложный (false or untrue)
  • неверный (unfaithful or incorrect)

Related Phrases:

• Истинная правда - The absolute truth; used to emphasize complete honesty in conversations.
• Верный путь - The true path; often in metaphorical contexts like personal development or navigation.
• Быть верным слову - To be true to one's word; a common idiom for keeping promises.

Usage Notes:

"Истинный" is a more formal equivalent to "true" and is often used in written or academic English contexts, while "верный" leans towards loyalty or reliability, similar to "faithful" in English. Choose "истинный" for factual accuracy and "верный" for interpersonal trust. Be aware of Russian's grammatical agreement: always decline the adjective to match the noun's gender, number, and case. In informal speech, "верный" might be preferred to sound more natural.

• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; context is key in Russian.
• In questions or negatives, phrasing might shift, e.g., "Is this true?" becomes "Это истинно?" in formal settings.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "истинный" with "верный" due to overlapping meanings. For example, they might incorrectly use "истинный" in a loyalty context: Wrong: "Истинный друг" (though it works, "верный" is more idiomatic). Correct: "Верный друг". Another error is forgetting declension: Wrong: "Верный книга" (should be "Верная книга" for feminine noun). Explanation: Russian requires adjective-noun agreement, so always check the noun's form before using the adjective.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "истинная правда" (the true truth) often appear in literature and folklore, emphasizing moral integrity and authenticity, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy. This reflects a cultural value on sincerity in personal and social interactions, contrasting with more pragmatic Western views of truth.

Related Concepts:

• правда (truth in a general sense)
• ложь (lie or falsehood)
• честность (honesty)