Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'worthiness'

English Word: worthiness

Key Russian Translations:

• достоинство [dɐˈstoɪnstvə] - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in formal discussions, literature, and philosophical contexts, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate - Requires understanding of noun declensions and abstract concepts; suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

достоинство: [dɐˈstoɪnstvə]

Note on достоинство: The stress falls on the third syllable ("sto"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to the soft consonants and vowel reductions in Russian. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The quality of being worthy; merit, value, or deservingness (e.g., in moral, ethical, or character-related contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• достоинство - Used in formal or literary contexts to denote inherent worth or moral excellence, such as in discussions of character or achievements.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Его достоинство как лидера было очевидным в трудные времена. (His worthiness as a leader was evident in difficult times.)

  English Translation: His worthiness as a leader was evident in difficult times.

• Русский: В этой культуре подчеркивается достоинство индивидуального вклада в общество. (In this culture, the worthiness of individual contributions to society is emphasized.)

  English Translation: In this culture, the worthiness of individual contributions to society is emphasized.

• Русский: Она отстаивала достоинство своих решений, несмотря на критику. (She defended the worthiness of her decisions despite criticism.)

  English Translation: She defended the worthiness of her decisions despite criticism.

• Русский: Достижение успеха требует не только таланта, но и достоинства характера. (Achieving success requires not only talent but also worthiness of character.)

  English Translation: Achieving success requires not only talent but also worthiness of character.

• Русский: В исторических текстах часто обсуждается достоинство героев. (In historical texts, the worthiness of heroes is often discussed.)

  English Translation: In historical texts, the worthiness of heroes is often discussed.

Meaning 2: The state of deserving recognition or reward (e.g., in contexts of qualification or entitlement)

Translation(s) & Context:

• достоинство - Applied in situations involving merit-based evaluations, such as awards or promotions, but less common in informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Награда была дана в признание достоинства его усилий. (The award was given in recognition of the worthiness of his efforts.)

  English Translation: The award was given in recognition of the worthiness of his efforts.

• Русский: Критики оценили достоинство фильма по его оригинальности. (Critics assessed the worthiness of the film based on its originality.)

  English Translation: Critics assessed the worthiness of the film based on its originality.

• Русский: Достоинство кандидата должно быть подтверждено документами. (The worthiness of the candidate must be confirmed by documents.)

  English Translation: The worthiness of the candidate must be confirmed by documents.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Достоинство" is a neuter noun in Russian, which means it follows the standard declension patterns for neuter nouns ending in -о. It is a third-declension noun and inflects by case and number. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners, but pay attention to the soft sign (ь) in some cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ценность (value) - Often used interchangeably but emphasizes material or intrinsic worth.
  • заслуга (merit) - Focuses on earned achievements rather than inherent qualities.
• Antonyms:
  • недостойность (unworthiness) - Directly opposite, implying lack of merit.
  • бесчестье (dishonor) - Used in moral contexts to contrast with ethical worthiness.

Related Phrases:

• С достоинством (With dignity) - A phrase used to describe behaving in a manner that upholds one's worthiness; often in formal or ethical discussions.
• Подтвердить достоинство (To confirm worthiness) - Refers to verifying someone's qualifications or merits, common in professional contexts.
• Потерять достоинство (To lose worthiness) - Indicates a decline in moral or social standing.

Usage Notes:

"Достоинство" closely corresponds to the English "worthiness" in abstract and formal senses, but it carries a stronger connotation of moral or ethical value in Russian culture. It is typically used in written or formal spoken language, such as essays, speeches, or literature, rather than casual conversation. When choosing between translations like "достоинство" and "заслуга," opt for "достоинство" when emphasizing inherent qualities over specific achievements. Be mindful of Russian noun declensions, as they affect sentence structure (e.g., in genitive constructions). For English learners, practice with contexts involving personal character to grasp its nuances.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "достоинство" (a noun) with "достойный" (an adjective meaning "worthy"). Incorrect: "Он достоинство человек" (wrong structure). Correct: "Он человек с достоинством" (He is a person with worthiness). Explanation: Russian requires proper case agreement; use genitive for possession.

• Overusing in informal contexts. Incorrect: Casual speech might misuse it like "Мой друг имеет достоинство" in everyday talk. Correct: Reserve for formal settings; use simpler words like "хороший" in casual chats. Explanation: This can make speech sound overly formal or pretentious.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "достоинство" is often linked to themes of personal honor and resilience, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works. It reflects the historical value placed on individual integrity during challenging times, such as in Soviet-era narratives, where maintaining one's worthiness amidst adversity was a common motif.

Related Concepts:

• честь (honor)
• нравственность (morality)
• заслуги (merits)