Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'virtue'

English Word: virtue

Key Russian Translations:

• добродетель [dɐ.brɐˈdʲe.tʲɪlʲ] - [Formal]
• достоинство [dɐs.tɐˈɪn.st.vɐ] - [Formal, often in philosophical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature, ethics discussions, and formal writing)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate learners may grasp it with exposure to Russian literature, but nuances require contextual understanding)

Pronunciation (Russian):

добродетель: [dɐ.brɐˈdʲe.tʲɪlʲ]

достоинство: [dɐs.tɐˈɪn.st.vɐ]

Note on добродетель: The stress is on the third syllable; be mindful of the soft sign (ь) which affects pronunciation, making the 't' sound palatalized.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A quality considered morally good or virtuous

Translation(s) & Context:

• добродетель - Used in ethical or philosophical discussions to denote moral excellence, especially in formal or literary contexts.
• достоинство - Applied when emphasizing inherent worth or positive traits, often in personal development or character descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Его добродетель проявляется в ежедневных актах доброты.

  His virtue is shown through daily acts of kindness.

• В русской литературе часто подчеркивается важность достоинств персонажей.

  In Russian literature, the virtues of characters are often emphasized.

• Добродетель — это не просто слово, а принцип жизни для многих.

  Virtue is not just a word, but a principle of life for many.

• Её достоинства помогли ей преодолеть трудности.

  Her virtues helped her overcome difficulties.

• В этических дебатах добродетель противопоставляется пороку.

  In ethical debates, virtue is contrasted with vice.

Meaning 2: A particular beneficial quality or feature

Translation(s) & Context:

• добродетель - Less common in everyday contexts; used metaphorically for positive attributes in objects or ideas.
• достоинство - Often refers to advantages or merits, such as in product descriptions or abstract qualities.

Usage Examples:

• Одним из достоинств этой книги является её добродетель ясности изложения.

  One of the virtues of this book is its clarity of presentation.

• Достоинство современного смартфона — его портативность и функции.

  The virtue of a modern smartphone is its portability and features.

• В архитектуре добродетель простоты часто ценится выше.

  In architecture, the virtue of simplicity is often valued more highly.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'добродетель' and 'достоинство' are feminine nouns in Russian, following the standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns.

Note: These nouns do not change in gender but follow regular patterns; irregularities are minimal.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • честность (honesty; more specific to truthfulness)
  • благородство (nobility; implies higher moral standing)
  • доброта (kindness; focuses on benevolence)
• Antonyms:
  • порок (vice)
  • недостаток (flaw)

Related Phrases:

• Моральная добродетель - Moral virtue; used in ethical discussions to denote virtues based on principles.
• Личные достоинства - Personal virtues; refers to individual character strengths in everyday contexts.
• Высшая добродетель - Highest virtue; an idiomatic expression for ultimate moral excellence.

Usage Notes:

'Добродетель' directly corresponds to the abstract, moral sense of 'virtue' in English and is preferred in formal or literary settings. 'Достоинство' is more versatile, often translating to 'merit' or 'quality' when not purely ethical. Be cautious with context: in casual speech, Russian speakers might opt for simpler synonyms like 'доброта'. Grammatically, these nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying adjectives or verbs.

• When choosing between translations, use 'добродетель' for philosophical contexts and 'достоинство' for practical attributes.
• In sentences, ensure proper declension to match the sentence structure, as Russian is a highly inflected language.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'добродетель' with 'достоинство' and misuse them interchangeably. For example, incorrectly saying "Его достоинство — это честность" when meaning moral virtue; the correct form might be "Его добродетель — это честность" to emphasize ethical quality. Another error is forgetting declension: saying "Я ценю добродетель друга" instead of the genitive "Я ценю добродетель друга" (which is correct, but learners might drop cases). Always check for case agreement to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'добродетель' are heavily influenced by Orthodox Christianity and literary traditions (e.g., in works by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky), where virtues are tied to personal redemption and societal morals. This reflects a broader emphasis on collective ethics in Russian society, contrasting with more individualistic interpretations in English-speaking cultures.

Related Concepts:

• мораль
• этика
• благо