tribulation
C1Formal or literary
Definition
Meaning
A state of great trouble or suffering.
Often refers to a period of severe trial or hardship, especially one that tests endurance or character, commonly used in religious or formal contexts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Connotes endurance and often implies a difficult experience that may lead to personal growth or spiritual testing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; both varieties use the word similarly.
Connotations
Associated with formal, expressive, or religious language in both regions.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English due to historical literary usage, but comparable in American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
through tribulationin tribulationtribulation of [something]tribulation for [someone]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “trials and tribulations”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used; may appear in metaphorical contexts about challenges.
Academic
Used in literature, theology, or historical texts to discuss suffering or trials.
Everyday
Used in expressive language to describe significant personal hardships.
Technical
Not commonly used in technical fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- No common verb form
American English
- No common verb form
adverb
British English
- No common adverb form
American English
- No common adverb form
adjective
British English
- No common adjective form
American English
- No common adjective form
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The flood brought much tribulation to the village.
- She felt tribulation when her pet was lost.
- During the economic crisis, many families faced tribulation.
- His journey was full of tribulations, but he never gave up.
- The novel explores the tribulations of war and their impact on human spirit.
- In her speech, she described the tribulations of starting a new business.
- Theological texts often discuss tribulation as a means of spiritual purification.
- Historians analyze the tribulations of ancient civilizations during periods of drought.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'tribe' + 'ulation' – imagine a tribe facing a difficult situation or trial.
Conceptual Metaphor
Life is a journey with obstacles; tribulations are the rough patches along the way.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- May be confused with 'бедствие' (disaster) which is more catastrophic, or 'страдание' (suffering) which is broader; 'tribulation' often implies a test or trial.
- Avoid direct translation to 'трибуляция' as it is not a standard Russian word.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'tribulation' as a verb (e.g., 'to tribulate'), which is not standard.
- Confusing it with 'tribunal', which refers to a court or committee.
- Overusing in informal contexts where simpler words like 'trouble' are more appropriate.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'tribulation'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is more common in formal, literary, or religious contexts, and not frequently used in casual conversation.
No, 'tribulate' is not a standard verb in modern English; 'tribulation' is primarily a noun.
Common collocations include 'great tribulation', 'time of tribulation', and 'face tribulation'.
'Tribulation' often implies a specific period of trial or hardship that tests endurance, while 'suffering' is a broader term for any pain or distress.