Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'virgin'

English Word: virgin

Key Russian Translations:

• девственница [dʲɪfˈstʲɛnnʲɪtsə] - [Formal, Feminine Noun, Used in contexts referring to an unmarried or pure woman]
• девственный [dʲɪfˈstʲɛnnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Used for describing something untouched or pure, e.g., in nature or abstract concepts]

Frequency: Medium - The word is not everyday vocabulary but appears in literature, medical, or cultural discussions.

Difficulty: B2 - Intermediate level, as it involves understanding nuanced gender-specific forms and cultural connotations; for "девственный" as an adjective, it may be slightly easier at B1 if encountered in descriptive contexts.

Pronunciation (Russian):

девственница: [dʲɪfˈstʲɛnnʲɪtsə]

девственный: [dʲɪfˈstʲɛnnɨj]

Note on девственница: The stress is on the second syllable; be cautious with the palatalized 'дʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronunciation can vary slightly in fast speech.

Note on девственный: The ending '-ый' softens to '-ɨj' in standard pronunciation; practice the rolled 'р' if present in regional variants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Referring to a person who has not engaged in sexual intercourse (typically female).

Translation(s) & Context:

• девственница - Used in formal, literary, or medical contexts to describe a woman; avoid in casual conversations to prevent sensitivity issues.

Usage Examples:

• Она осталась девственницей до свадьбы.

  She remained a virgin until marriage.

• В исторических романах часто описывают героинь как девственниц.

  In historical novels, heroines are often depicted as virgins.

• Девственница в этом обществе считается символом чистоты.

  A virgin in this society is considered a symbol of purity.

• Медицинские тесты могут подтвердить, является ли женщина девственницей.

  Medical tests can confirm whether a woman is a virgin.

Meaning 2: Describing something pure, untouched, or in its original state (adjective form).

Translation(s) & Context:

• девственный - Used metaphorically for landscapes, ideas, or materials; common in poetic or environmental contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Девственный лес полон неизведанных тайн.

  The virgin forest is full of unexplored mysteries.

• Её девственный голос заворожил аудиторию.

  Her virgin voice captivated the audience.

• Девственный снег покрыл горы первым слоем.

  The virgin snow covered the mountains in its first layer.

• В девственном состоянии книга выглядит как новая.

  In its virgin state, the book looks brand new.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "девственница" (feminine noun, first declension):

For "девственный" (adjective, follows standard first/second declension patterns):

• Masculine singular: девственный
• Feminine singular: девственная
• Neuter singular: девственное
• Plural: девственные

Note: This adjective inflects regularly based on gender, number, and case, with no irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • неприкосновенный (neprikosnovennyj) - Similar to "untouched," often used for physical purity.
  • чистый (chistyj) - Means "pure" in a broader sense, with less specific connotations.
• Antonyms:
  • оскверненный (oskrebrennyj) - Implies defiled or corrupted.
  • испорченный (isporchennyj) - Suggests spoiled or tainted, especially in non-literal contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Девственная земля - Untouched land; used in environmental or exploratory contexts.
• Девственная природа - Virgin nature; refers to pristine wilderness, emphasizing ecological purity.
• Потерять девственность - To lose one's virginity; a common phrase in discussions of personal milestones, but use with cultural sensitivity.

Usage Notes:

The English word "virgin" translates variably in Russian based on context: use "девственница" for personal or biographical references (e.g., in literature or history), and "девственный" for abstract or descriptive uses. Be aware of cultural sensitivities— in Russian-speaking societies, these terms can carry strong moral or religious undertones, so they are more formal and less common in everyday speech. When choosing between translations, opt for "девственный" in poetic or scientific contexts for its broader applicability. Grammatically, ensure agreement in gender and case, as Russian adjectives and nouns must align with the subject.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "девственница" for non-human subjects, e.g., saying "девственница река" (virgin river) instead of "девственная река".
  Correct: "девственная река" – Explanation: "Девственница" is strictly a feminine noun for a person, while "девственный" is the appropriate adjective form.
• Mistake: Forgetting case endings, e.g., using nominative "девственница" in a genitive context like "книги девственница" instead of "книги девственницы".
  Correct: "книги девственницы" – Explanation: Russian requires proper declension to indicate relationships, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "девственница" are often linked to historical and religious traditions, such as in Orthodox Christianity where virginity symbolizes purity and sanctity (e.g., in icons of the Virgin Mary as "Богородица"). This can influence modern usage in literature or media, but it's less emphasized in contemporary secular contexts, where it might be seen as outdated or sensitive.

Related Concepts:

• чистота (chistota) - Purity
• неприкосновенность (neprikosnovenost') - Inviolability
• целомудрие (tselomudriye) - Chastity