Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'zealous'

English Word: zealous

Key Russian Translations:

• ревностный /rʲɪvˈnostnɨj/ - [Formal]
• пылкий /ˈpɨlkʲɪj/ - [Informal, often used in emotional contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in literature, formal writing, and discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and nuanced vocabulary, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic Russian grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ревностный: /rʲɪvˈnostnɨj/

пылкий: /ˈpɨlkʲɪj/

Note on ревностный: The stress falls on the third syllable; be mindful of the soft 'р' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to its palatalization.

Note on пылкий: Pronunciation is straightforward, but the 'ы' vowel is a distinct Russian sound not found in English; it resembles a mix of 'i' and 'u'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Full of zeal, enthusiasm, or passionate dedication (e.g., in pursuits, beliefs, or work).

Translation(s) & Context:

• ревностный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe intense commitment, such as in religious or professional settings.
• пылкий - Applied in more emotional or informal scenarios, like personal relationships or creative endeavors.

Usage Examples:

• Он был ревностным сторонником экологических инициатив. (He was a zealous supporter of environmental initiatives.)

  English Translation: He was a zealous supporter of environmental initiatives.

• Её пылкий интерес к искусству вдохновил всю команду. (Her zealous interest in art inspired the entire team.)

  English Translation: Her zealous interest in art inspired the entire team.

• Ревностный подход к работе помог ему добиться успеха. (The zealous approach to work helped him achieve success.)

  English Translation: The zealous approach to work helped him achieve success.

• Пылкий энтузиаст футбола, он посещал все матчи. (As a zealous enthusiast of football, he attended every match.)

  English Translation: As a zealous enthusiast of football, he attended every match.

• В своём ревностном поиске истины, она преодолела многие препятствия. (In her zealous search for truth, she overcame many obstacles.)

  English Translation: In her zealous search for truth, she overcame many obstacles.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "ревностный" and "пылкий" are adjectives, which in Russian undergo inflection based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for first-declension adjectives.

For "ревностный" (masc. sg. nominative):

For "пылкий", the inflections follow the same pattern:

These adjectives are regular and do not have irregular forms, making them predictable once the pattern is learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • усердный (userdnyy) - Similar to "ревностный", but emphasizes diligence more than passion.
  • страстный (strastnyy) - Often interchangeable with "пылкий", highlighting emotional intensity.
• Antonyms:
  • апатичный (apaticheskiy) - Indicates lack of interest or enthusiasm.
  • равнодушный (ravnodushnyy) - Suggests indifference, contrasting with zealous passion.

Related Phrases:

• Ревностный защитник прав (Revnostnyy zashchitnik prav) - A zealous defender of rights; used in legal or social justice contexts.
• Пылкий поклонник искусства (Pylkiy poklonnnik iskusstva) - A zealous fan of art; common in cultural discussions.
• Быть ревностным в работе (Byt' revnostnym v rabote) - To be zealous in work; a phrase emphasizing dedication in professional settings.

Usage Notes:

"Ревностный" is a more formal equivalent of "zealous" and is often used in written Russian or official contexts, while "пылкий" suits spoken language for emotional expressions. Choose "ревностный" when the context involves long-term commitment, as in religious or ideological scenarios, and "пылкий" for temporary bursts of enthusiasm. Be aware that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they describe, which differs from English. For example, if describing a female subject, use "ревностная".

• Grammar note: Always inflect the adjective to match the noun, e.g., "ревностный человек" (zealous person, masculine).
• Context tip: In modern Russian, these words can carry a positive connotation, but overuse might sound overly dramatic in casual speech.

Common Errors:

One common mistake is failing to inflect the adjective correctly, e.g., saying "ревностный женщина" instead of "ревностная женщина" (correct: zealous woman). Error: "Он был ревностный в своём деле" (incorrect inflection). Correct: "Он был ревностным в своём деле". This happens because English doesn't require such agreements, so learners should practice with nouns to ensure proper case matching. Another error is confusing "пылкий" with "страстный"; while similar, "пылкий" implies zeal without necessarily sexual connotations, unlike "страстный".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "ревностный" often evoke historical contexts, such as the zealous devotion in Orthodox Christianity or revolutionary movements. For instance, it might remind one of the "ревностные" followers of 19th-century Russian intellectuals, highlighting a cultural emphasis on passionate intellectual pursuit rather than mere practicality.

Related Concepts:

• энтузиазм (enthusiasm)
• посвящение (dedication)
• страсть (passion)