Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ultramundane'

English Word: ultramundane

Key Russian Translations:

• сверхъестественный [svʲɪr.xʲɪs.tʲɪˈt͡ɕɪn.nɨj] - [Formal; used in philosophical or literary contexts]
• потусторонний [pə.tʊs.tɐˈro.nʲɪj] - [Formal; often implies a spiritual or otherworldly dimension]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation, appearing more in academic, literary, or philosophical texts.)

Difficulty: Advanced (C1-C2; Requires familiarity with abstract concepts and Russian adjective declensions, with variations in nuance between translations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сверхъестественный: [svʲɪr.xʲɪs.tʲɪˈt͡ɕɪn.nɨj]

потусторонний: [pə.tʊs.tɐˈro.nʲɪj]

Note on сверхъестественный: The initial "св-" cluster can be challenging for English speakers due to the soft "в" sound; practice with a native speaker for accurate palatalization.

Note on потусторонний: Stress falls on the third syllable; be cautious with the "о" vowel, which can sound more rounded in rapid speech.

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Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Beyond the ordinary world, supernatural or otherworldly (e.g., relating to spiritual realms).

Translation(s) & Context:

• сверхъестественный - Used in formal discussions of philosophy or science fiction to describe phenomena outside natural laws, such as ghosts or miracles.
• потусторонний - Applied in literary or religious contexts to refer to the afterlife or unseen worlds, often with a mystical connotation.

Usage Examples:

• В древних мифах часто описываются сверхъестественные существа, которые вмешиваются в человеческие дела.

  In ancient myths, ultramundane beings are often described that interfere in human affairs.

• Этот роман исследует потусторонние силы, влияющие на судьбу главных героев.

  This novel explores ultramundane forces that influence the fate of the main characters.

• Учёные до сих пор спорят о том, существуют ли сверхъестественные явления в реальном мире.

  Scientists still debate whether ultramundane phenomena exist in the real world.

• Потусторонний мир в этой культуре ассоциируется с предками и духовными видениями.

  The ultramundane world in this culture is associated with ancestors and spiritual visions.

• Художник изобразил сверхъестественный пейзаж, где небо сливается с океаном в мистическом сиянии.

  The artist depicted an ultramundane landscape where the sky merges with the ocean in a mystical glow.

Secondary Meaning: Transcending mundane concerns, often in a metaphorical sense (e.g., intellectual or spiritual elevation).

Translation(s) & Context:

• сверхъестественный - In metaphorical contexts, such as describing profound ideas that go beyond everyday thought.
• потусторонний - Less common here, but used for ideas that feel detached from the material world.

Usage Examples:

• Его сверхъестественное мышление позволило решить сложную математическую задачу.

  His ultramundane thinking allowed him to solve a complex mathematical problem.

• Потусторонние размышления философа вдохновили целое поколение мыслителей.

  The philosopher's ultramundane reflections inspired an entire generation of thinkers.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are adjectives, which inflect according to Russian grammatical rules. Russian adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. Below is a table for сверхъестественный as an example; потусторонний follows similar patterns.

For потусторонний, the inflections are regular and follow the same pattern as above. These adjectives do not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мистический (mystical) - Often used interchangeably but with a focus on mystery.
  • таинственный (mysterious) - Emphasizes enigma rather than otherworldliness.
• Antonyms:
  • земной (earthly) - Refers to mundane, worldly matters.
  • обыденный (ordinary) - Highlights everyday, non-extraordinary aspects.

Related Phrases:

• Сверхъестественные силы - Ultramundane forces; Refers to supernatural powers in myths or stories.
• Потусторонний мир - The ultramundane world; Commonly used in discussions of the afterlife or spiritual realms.
• Войти в сверхъестественное - To enter the ultramundane; A phrase for transcending normal reality, often in fantasy contexts.

Usage Notes:

• Ultramundane corresponds most closely to сверхъестественный in formal English-Russian translations, especially in philosophical texts, but потусторонний is preferred for contexts involving the afterlife. Choose based on the specific nuance: use сверхъестественный for scientific or abstract discussions and потусторонний for cultural or religious ones.
• These words are typically adjectives, so ensure they agree with the noun in gender, number, and case, as per Russian grammar rules.
• In informal speech, simpler alternatives like "мистический" might be used, but for precise ultramundane connotations, stick to these formal options.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse the case endings, e.g., saying "сверхъестественный мир" in genitive context instead of "сверхъестественного мира". Correct: Always decline the adjective to match the noun's case.
• Confusing with synonyms: Learners might overuse "таинственный" (mysterious) when "сверхъестественный" is needed, as the latter implies a supernatural element, not just mystery. Example of error: "Таинственный силы" instead of "Сверхъестественные силы". Explanation: "Таинственный" lacks the otherworldly connotation.

Cultural Notes:

Words like "сверхъестественный" and "потусторонний" are deeply rooted in Russian literature and folklore, influenced by Orthodox Christianity and Slavic pagan traditions. For instance, in Russian fairy tales, ultramundane elements often represent moral or spiritual lessons, reflecting a cultural fascination with the boundary between the physical and metaphysical worlds.

Related Concepts:

• духовный (spiritual)
• мифический (mythical)
• неземной ( unearthly)