Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'worshipper'

English Word: worshipper

Key Russian Translations:

• поклонник [pɐkɫɐˈnʲik] - [Formal, General context, e.g., a devotee or fan]
• верующий [vʲɪrʊˈjuʂːɪj] - [Religious context, often implying a believer in a faith]
• молящийся [mɐˈlʲaʂːɪjɪsʲ] - [Informal/Religious context, specifically someone actively praying]

Frequency: Medium - The word and its translations are commonly used in religious, cultural, or literary discussions but not in everyday casual conversation.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Involves understanding noun and adjective inflections; for "верующий," it may vary slightly in formality, making it accessible to intermediate learners.

Pronunciation (Russian):

поклонник: [pɐkɫɐˈnʲik]

верующий: [vʲɪrʊˈjuʂːɪj]

молящийся: [mɐˈlʲaʂːɪjɪsʲ]

Note on поклонник: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the soft 'л' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person who worships a deity or engages in religious devotion

Translation(s) & Context:

• верующий - Used in formal religious contexts, such as describing church attendees or faithful followers in Christianity or other faiths.
• молящийся - Applied in scenarios involving active prayer, like in a temple or during rituals.

Usage Examples:

• В церкви всегда много верующих, которые молятся за мир. (In the church, there are always many worshippers who pray for peace.)

  English Translation: In the church, there are always many worshippers who pray for peace.

• Этот молящийся человек проводит часы в молитве каждый день. (This worshipper spends hours in prayer every day.)

  English Translation: This worshipper spends hours in prayer every day.

• Поклонники этой религии собираются ежегодно на фестиваль. (Worshippers of this religion gather annually for the festival.)

  English Translation: Worshippers of this religion gather annually for the festival.

• Верующие в этом монастыре живут простой жизнью, посвящённой вере. (Worshippers in this monastery live a simple life dedicated to faith.)

  English Translation: Worshippers in this monastery live a simple life dedicated to faith.

• Молящийся в углу собора кажется полностью погружённым в свои мысли. (The worshipper praying in the corner of the cathedral seems fully immersed in their thoughts.)

  English Translation: The worshipper praying in the corner of the cathedral seems fully immersed in their thoughts.

Meaning 2: A devoted admirer or fan (non-religious context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• поклонник - Used for fans or enthusiasts, such as in arts, music, or celebrity culture.

Usage Examples:

• Поклонники этой группы ждут новый альбом с нетерпением. (Worshippers of this band are eagerly waiting for the new album.)

  English Translation: Fans of this band are eagerly waiting for the new album. (Note: In non-religious contexts, "поклонник" can imply fandom.)

• Как поклонник классической музыки, он посещает все концерты. (As a worshipper of classical music, he attends all concerts.)

  English Translation: As a devotee of classical music, he attends all concerts.

• Её поклонники заполняют залы на каждом выступлении. (Her worshippers fill the halls at every performance.)

  English Translation: Her fans fill the halls at every performance.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "поклонник" (a masculine noun, 2nd declension):

For "верующий" (an adjective that functions as a noun):

It follows standard adjective declension and can change based on gender, number, and case (e.g., верующего in genitive singular masculine). It is regular but requires attention to agreement.

"Молящийся" is a present active participle and inflects like an adjective, with variations for gender and case (e.g., молящаяся for feminine).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Адепт (adept) - Often used for a dedicated follower, with a connotation of loyalty.
  • Последователь (posledovatel') - Implies a disciple or adherent, especially in ideological contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • Неверующий (neveruyushchiy) - Non-believer or skeptic.
  • Скептик (skeptik) - Someone who doubts or rejects worship or faith.

Related Phrases:

• Религиозный поклонник (Religious worshipper) - Refers to someone deeply involved in religious practices; used in discussions of faith communities.
• Преданный верующий (Devoted believer) - Emphasizes loyalty in a worship context; common in spiritual texts.
• Молящийся в храме (Worshipper in the temple) - A phrase for describing someone at a place of worship; highlights location-based devotion.

Usage Notes:

"Worshipper" translates variably in Russian based on context: use "поклонник" for general or secular admiration, "верующий" for religious faith, and "молящийся" for active prayer. Be mindful of gender agreement in Russian sentences, as these words inflect. In formal writing, "верующий" is preferred for religious contexts, while "поклонник" suits everyday or cultural discussions. Choose based on the specific nuance to avoid ambiguity.

Common Errors:

• Using "поклонник" in a purely religious context without qualifiers, which might confuse it with fandom. Correct: Specify as "религиозный поклонник" instead of just "поклонник".
• Mixing cases incorrectly, e.g., saying "я видел верующих" (I saw the worshippers) but forgetting plural agreement. Error example: "я видел верующий" (incorrect); Correct: "я видел верующих". This stems from English's lack of case systems.
• Overusing "молящийся" for general worshippers, which implies ongoing action. Error: "Он верующий в церкви" (He is a worshipper in the church); More accurate: "Он молящийся в церкви" if prayer is active.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, especially within the Orthodox Christian tradition, "верующий" carries deep historical and spiritual connotations, often linked to community and national identity. For instance, worshippers in Russia may participate in festivals like Easter, reflecting centuries of religious heritage that influences social norms and language use.

Related Concepts:

• Молитва (Prayer)
• Храм (Temple or Church)
• Вера (Faith)