судьба
sud'ba
The Russian word for destiny is судьба (sud'ba).
судьба is the most common and general term for destiny in Russian. It refers to a predetermined condition, fate or the fixed order of things. While судьба describes one's personal destiny, you might encounter other terms like предопределение for predestination or the poetic участь to describe one's lot or fortune. The phrase судьбоносный путь can be used to translate the concept of a fateful path.
Meaning: predetermined condition, fate, fixed order of things (noun)
Which one should you use?
While судьба refers to a person's individual destiny, the word рок is used to describe a more powerful, often tragic or inescapable fate in a cosmic or poetic sense.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word судьба changes its form depending on its role in a sentence. The genitive singular form is судьбы (of destiny or destinies), the accusative singular is судьбу (destiny) and the instrumental singular is судьбой (with destiny or by destiny).
How do you pronounce it?
sud'ba
Did you know?
- In Russian culture, the phrase судьба-злодейка describes a 'destiny' that acts like a malicious villain, specifically targeting a person with misfortune.
- The word судьба is a direct relative of the Russian word суд, which means 'court' or 'trial'.
- In folk traditions, the phrase переписать судьбу means 'to rewrite destiny', often associated with rituals or prayers intended to change one's predetermined path.
Examples in context
- Том моя судьба.Tom is my destiny.This sentence uses судьба to identify a person as someone's destiny.Tatoeba #4774989 by odexed, translation #2273301 by CK
- Это была моя судьба.It was my destiny.This sentence uses судьба to describe a past destiny.Tatoeba #5161122 by marafon, translation #5158648 by CK
- Как сложилась твоя судьба?How did your destiny turn out?This sentence uses судьба to ask how a person's destiny turned out.Tatoeba #12588787 by LanguagesLover, translation #12588784 by Siria
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Sergey are talking about their meeting in a cafe.
- Мария MariaСергей, ты веришь в судьбу?Sergey, ty verish' v sud'bu?Sergey, do you believe in destiny?
- Сергей SergeyДа, я верю, что это судьба.Da, ya veru, chto eto sud'ba.Yes, I believe that it is destiny.
- Мария MariaНаши жизни изменила судьба.Nashi zhizni izmenila sud'ba.Fate changed our lives.
- Сергей SergeyТы очень мудрая женщина, Мария.Ty ochen' mudraya zhenshchina, Mariya.You are a very wise woman, Maria.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries судьба, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
