Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'virtuosity'

English Word: virtuosity

Key Russian Translations:

• виртуозность (/vʲɪrˈtuəznəsʲtʲ/) - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions of arts and music, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate - requires familiarity with abstract nouns and cultural contexts in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

виртуозность: /vʲɪrˈtuəznəsʲtʲ/

Note on виртуозность: The stress falls on the third syllable ("tu"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'r' sound (/ʲ/). Practice with native speakers to master the soft consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Great skill or technical ability, especially in the arts, music, or performance.

Translation(s) & Context:

• виртуозность - Used in formal or artistic contexts to describe exceptional talent, such as in music performances or creative fields.

Usage Examples:

• Его виртуозность на скрипке завораживает аудиторию. (His virtuosity on the violin captivates the audience.)

  Translation: His virtuosity on the violin captivates the audience. (This example shows the word in a performance context, highlighting technical prowess.)

• Виртуозность художника проявляется в деталях картины. (The virtuosity of the artist is evident in the details of the painting.)

  Translation: The virtuosity of the artist is evident in the details of the painting. (Here, it's used in a visual arts setting, demonstrating precision and skill.)

• Без виртуозности танцора выступление кажется неполным. (Without the dancer's virtuosity, the performance feels incomplete.)

  Translation: Without the dancer's virtuosity, the performance feels incomplete. (This illustrates the word in dance, emphasizing its role in overall artistry.)

• Виртуозность пианиста достигается годами упорных тренировок. (The virtuosity of the pianist is achieved through years of rigorous training.)

  Translation: The virtuosity of the pianist is achieved through years of rigorous training. (This example shows the word in a developmental context, linking to effort and expertise.)

• Её виртуозность в improv-театре делает её незаменимой в труппе. (Her virtuosity in improv theater makes her indispensable in the troupe.)

  Translation: Her virtuosity in improv theater makes her indispensable in the troupe. (This demonstrates usage in modern, spontaneous performance arts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Виртуозность is a feminine noun in the third declension. It follows standard patterns for abstract nouns in Russian, with changes based on case and number. It is invariable in the plural form as it typically refers to a singular concept, but can be pluralized in specific contexts.

Note: As an abstract noun, it rarely changes in everyday use and remains in its base form in most sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мастерство (masterstvo) - Emphasizes skill through experience, often in crafts or professions.
  • искусность (iskusnost') - Highlights artistry and finesse, similar to virtuosity but with a broader application.
• Antonyms:
  • неумелость (neumelost') - Refers to clumsiness or lack of skill.
  • непрофессионализм (neprofessionalizm) - Implies amateurishness or unprofessional behavior.

Related Phrases:

• Музыкальная виртуозность (Muzykal'naya virtuoznost') - Musical virtuosity; a phrase used to describe exceptional skill in music performance.
• Виртуозность исполнения (Viruoznost' ispolneniya) - Virtuosity in execution; refers to the technical brilliance in carrying out a task, often in arts.
• Достичь виртуозности (Dostich' virtuoznosti) - To achieve virtuosity; a common expression for reaching a high level of expertise through practice.

Usage Notes:

Виртуозность directly corresponds to the English "virtuosity" in artistic contexts, but it's more commonly used in formal or cultural discussions in Russian. It's a feminine noun, so ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs (e.g., "ее виртуозность" for "her virtuosity"). When choosing between synonyms like мастерство, opt for виртуозность when emphasizing innate or exceptional talent rather than learned skill. Be mindful of cultural contexts, as it's often linked to classical Russian arts like ballet or music.

• In informal speech, Russians might prefer simpler terms, so виртуозность is best for written or professional settings.
• Grammar note: It doesn't change in the nominative case but requires case agreement in sentences, e.g., "в виртуозности" for "in virtuosity."

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse виртуозность with мастерство, using it interchangeably, but виртуозность implies a higher level of flair and creativity. For example:

• Incorrect: Он имеет мастерство в игре. (He has mastery in playing.) - This downplays the exceptional aspect.
• Correct: Он имеет виртуозность в игре. (He has virtuosity in playing.) - Better for emphasizing brilliance.
• Another error is improper case usage, e.g., saying "виртуозность" in the genitive when it should be "виртуозности." Explanation: Always check the sentence structure to match the required case for accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, виртуозность is deeply tied to the tradition of classical music and performing arts, influenced by figures like Tchaikovsky and the Bolshoi Ballet. It often carries connotations of national pride, as seen in the virtuosic performances at events like the International Tchaikovsky Competition, symbolizing Russia's rich artistic heritage.

Related Concepts:

• талант (talant)
• гений (geniy)
• мастерство (masterstvo)