Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wisdom'

English Word: wisdom

Key Russian Translations:

• мудрость [ˈmudrəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, used in philosophical or literary contexts]

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

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and nominal inflections in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мудрость: [ˈmudrəsʲtʲ]

Note on мудрость: The stress falls on the first syllable. The 'у' is pronounced as a short 'u' sound, and the final 'ть' is palatalized, which can be tricky for beginners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.

Translation(s) & Context:

• мудрость - Typically used in formal, intellectual, or reflective contexts, such as discussions about life lessons or philosophy.

Usage Examples:

• Его мудрость помогла преодолеть трудности в жизни.

  His wisdom helped overcome difficulties in life.

• Мудрость приходит с годами и опытом.

  Wisdom comes with age and experience.

• В русской литературе часто подчеркивается роль мудрости в формировании характера.

  In Russian literature, the role of wisdom in character development is often emphasized.

• Её мудрость в принятии решений всегда удивляла друзей.

  Her wisdom in decision-making always amazed her friends.

• Мудрость предков передается через народные сказки.

  The wisdom of ancestors is passed down through folk tales.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Мудрость is a feminine noun of the third declension in Russian. It follows regular patterns for feminine nouns ending in -ость. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The plural form is less common and used when referring to multiple instances of wisdom, such as in proverbs or collections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • разум (razum) - More focused on intellect and reason.
  • опыт (opyt) - Emphasizes practical experience over abstract wisdom.
• Antonyms:
  • глупость (glupost') - Directly contrasts with wisdom, implying foolishness.
  • невежество (nevezhestvo) - Highlights ignorance as the opposite.

Related Phrases:

• вечная мудрость (eternal wisdom) - Refers to timeless knowledge or truths, often in philosophical contexts.
• народная мудрость (folk wisdom) - Wisdom derived from cultural traditions and proverbs.
• мудрость жизни (wisdom of life) - Practical insights gained from everyday experiences.

Usage Notes:

Мудрость directly corresponds to the English "wisdom" in abstract and formal senses, but it's less common in casual conversation. Use it in contexts involving reflection, advice, or philosophy. For everyday situations, Russians might prefer phrases like "опыт" if emphasizing experience. Be mindful of case endings when using it in sentences, as Russian requires agreement with other words. If choosing among translations, "мудрость" is the most precise for intellectual depth.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "мудр offline" instead of correctly inflecting it (e.g., saying "мудр offline" when it should be "мудрость" in nominative). Correct: Always ensure proper declension, such as "мудрости" in genitive. Explanation: This stems from not recognizing Russian's inflectional system, which differs from English's.

• Error: Confusing it with "мудрый" (an adjective meaning "wise"). Correct: Use "мудрость" for the noun form. Explanation: "Мудрый" describes a person, while "мудрость" is the abstract concept; mixing them can lead to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "мудрость" is often linked to folk traditions, proverbs, and literature, such as in the works of Tolstoy or Pushkin. It embodies the idea of wisdom gained through hardship, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on resilience and introspection in the face of adversity.

Related Concepts:

• знания (znaniya) - Knowledge
• опыт (opyt) - Experience
• интеллект (intellekt) - Intellect