Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'virility'

English Word: virility

Key Russian Translations:

• мужественность [muʐɨˈstʲvennəsʲtʲ] - [Formal; used in contexts discussing masculine traits or strength]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, psychology, and discussions on gender, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract nouns and gender-related concepts in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мужественность: [muʐɨˈstʲvennəsʲtʲ]

Note on мужественность: The stress falls on the third syllable ("stʲvennəsʲtʲ"), and the "ж" sound is a voiced palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: The quality of being manly, strong, or potent, often referring to physical or sexual prowess.

Translation(s) & Context:

• мужественность - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe inherent masculine strength, such as in psychological or cultural discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Его мужественность проявляется в его решительных действиях. (Yego muzhestvennost' proyavlyayetsya v yego reshititel'nykh deystviyakh.)

  His virility is evident in his decisive actions. (This example shows the word in a context of personal character and behavior.)

• В литературе часто подчеркивается мужественность героев. (V literature chasto podcherkivayetsya muzhestvennost' geroyev.)

  In literature, the virility of heroes is often emphasized. (Here, it demonstrates usage in cultural or artistic analysis.)

• Мужественность не всегда связана с физической силой. (Muzhestvennost' ne vsegda svyazana s fizicheskoy siloy.)

  Virility is not always linked to physical strength. (This illustrates a more nuanced, modern usage in debates.)

• Её книга исследует мужественность в современном обществе. (Yeyo kniga issleduyet muzhestvennost' v sovremennom obshchestve.)

  Her book explores virility in modern society. (Shows application in gender studies or social contexts.)

• Мужественность героя подчеркивается через его поступки. (Muzhestvennost' geroya podcherkivayetsya cherez yego postupki.)

  The virility of the hero is highlighted through his actions. (This example varies the grammatical structure for broader understanding.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

мужественность is a feminine noun in Russian (3rd declension). It follows regular noun inflection patterns, meaning it changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сила (sila) - More general, meaning 'strength', but can imply physical virility.
  • мужская сила (muzhskaya sila) - Literally 'male strength', with subtle differences in emphasizing gender.
• Antonyms:
  • слабость (slabost') - Weakness, contrasting with physical or mental virility.
  • женственность (zhenskost') - Femininity, highlighting gender opposites.

Related Phrases:

• Мужественная внешность (Muzhestvennaya vneshnost') - Meaning: A manly appearance; used in descriptions of physical traits.
• Потеря мужественности (Poterya muzhestvennosti) - Meaning: Loss of virility; often in contexts of aging or emotional decline.
• Истинная мужественность (Istinnaya muzhestvennost') - Meaning: True virility; implies authenticity in masculine qualities, common in motivational or philosophical discussions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "мужественность" directly corresponds to the English concept of virility but carries a more formal and literary tone. It is often used in contexts involving psychology, literature, or gender studies, rather than casual conversation. Be cautious with its application, as modern Russian discourse may emphasize equality, making it less common in everyday speech. When choosing between translations, opt for "мужественность" for abstract discussions and "мужская сила" for more physical connotations. Grammatically, always treat it as a feminine noun, which affects adjective agreements (e.g., "большая мужественность" for "great virility").

Common Errors:

• Confusing gender agreement: Learners might incorrectly use masculine adjectives with "мужественность" (e.g., saying "большой мужественность" instead of "большая мужественность"). Correct usage: Ensure adjectives agree in gender, number, and case. Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, so "мужественность" requires feminine forms.

• Overgeneralizing to physical contexts: English speakers might overuse it for purely physical strength, leading to phrases like "он имеет мужественность" when "он силен" (he is strong) is more appropriate. Correct: Use "мужественность" for deeper, character-based traits. Explanation: This word implies moral or psychological aspects, not just physicality.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "мужественность" is often linked to historical ideals of heroism, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works, where male characters embody stoic strength. However, contemporary Russian society is evolving, with discussions around toxic masculinity influencing its usage. This reflects broader cultural shifts towards gender equality, making the term a point of both admiration and critique in modern media.

Related Concepts:

• героизм (geroizm)
• смелость (smelost')
• мужчина (muzhchina)