Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'universality'

English Word: universality

Key Russian Translations:

• универсальность /unɪvʲɪrsalʲnəsʲtʲ/ - [Formal, used in academic or philosophical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in intellectual discussions, literature, and scientific texts, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and noun declensions, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

универсальность: /unɪvʲɪrsalʲnəsʲtʲ/

Note on универсальность: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("sal-"), which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants. Pronounce it with a soft 'l' sound as in "luxury."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The quality of being universal, applicable everywhere, or shared by all

Translation(s) & Context:

• универсальность - Used in formal, academic, or philosophical contexts to describe concepts that transcend specific cultures, times, or places, such as in discussions of human rights or scientific principles.

Usage Examples:

• Универсальность человеческого опыта часто обсуждается в философии.

  The universality of human experience is often discussed in philosophy.

• В математике универсальность формул позволяет применять их в различных областях.

  In mathematics, the universality of formulas allows them to be applied in various fields.

• Культурная универсальность музыки Баха делает её вечной.

  The cultural universality of Bach's music makes it timeless.

• Универсальность интернета изменила глобальную коммуникацию.

  The universality of the internet has changed global communication.

• В этике универсальность моральных норм – ключевой вопрос для этиков.

  In ethics, the universality of moral norms is a key question for ethicists.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Универсальность is a feminine abstract noun (from the adjective "универсальный"). It follows the standard first-declension pattern for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. It is invariant in plural forms as it typically refers to an abstract concept.

Note: As an abstract noun, it rarely appears in plural forms. Always ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs based on gender and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • всеобщность (vseobshchnost' – emphasizes broad applicability, often in social contexts)
  • общность (obshchnost' – general commonality, with a slightly less formal tone)
• Antonyms:
  • специфичность (spetsifichnost' – specificity or uniqueness to a particular context)
  • локальность (lokal'nost' – locality or restriction to a specific area)

Related Phrases:

• универсальный подход – A universal approach (refers to a method applicable in many situations, often in problem-solving or education).
• универсальность идей – Universality of ideas (used in philosophical discussions to highlight timeless concepts).
• вечная универсальность – Eternal universality (a phrase emphasizing enduring relevance, common in literary analysis).

Usage Notes:

Универсальность directly corresponds to the English "universality" in meaning, but it is more commonly used in formal Russian contexts like philosophy, science, or academia. Be mindful of its feminine gender when forming sentences, as it must agree with adjectives (e.g., "большая универсальность" for "great universality"). In everyday speech, English speakers might prefer simpler alternatives like "общность" if the context is less formal. When choosing between translations, use "универсальность" for precise, abstract discussions to maintain an intellectual tone.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "универсальность" with "универсальный" (the adjective form). For example, incorrectly using "универсальный" as a noun: Incorrect: "Я изучаю универсальный." (Wrong: This treats it as an adjective without a noun.) Correct: "Я изучаю универсальность." (Right: Properly using it as a noun.) Explanation: Always ensure the word is in its noun form when referring to the concept itself.

• Misapplying case endings, such as using nominative in all contexts: Incorrect: "О универсальный" (Wrong: Should be genitive for prepositions like "о"). Correct: "О универсальности" (Right: Genitive case for "about"). Explanation: Russian requires precise declension; practice with common prepositions to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of universality is deeply tied to philosophical traditions, such as those influenced by thinkers like Tolstoy or Soviet-era discussions on universal human values. It often appears in contexts exploring Russia's role in global affairs, emphasizing shared human experiences despite cultural differences, which reflects the country's historical emphasis on collectivism and internationalism.

Related Concepts:

• глобальность (global'nost')
• общность (obshchnost')
• вечность (vechnost')