Signification
A very generous and kind-hearted person.
Contexte culturel
The concept is tied to 'volya' (freedom/will) and the rejection of 'meshchanstvo' (middle-class pettiness). During the Soviet era, despite the scarcity of goods, the ideal of the 'wide soul' remained a way to maintain dignity and community. In modern Russia, 'wide soul' is sometimes used ironically to describe someone who spends company money too freely, though the positive meaning still dominates. In villages, hospitality is not a choice but a requirement of a 'wide soul'. Turning away a traveler is a sin against this character ideal.
Use it in toasts
If you are at a Russian party, using this phrase in a toast will instantly make you sound like a C2 speaker and win over the room.
Gender neutrality
Remember that 'человек' is used for both men and women here. Don't try to change it to 'человечица'!
Signification
A very generous and kind-hearted person.
Use it in toasts
If you are at a Russian party, using this phrase in a toast will instantly make you sound like a C2 speaker and win over the room.
Gender neutrality
Remember that 'человек' is used for both men and women here. Don't try to change it to 'человечица'!
The 'Russian Soul' connection
Mentioning this phrase often triggers a conversation about Russian culture and history. Be prepared to discuss literature!
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the words in brackets.
Мой дедушка всегда был [широкий] [душа] человеком.
The phrase is a fixed genitive construction: 'широкой' (fem. gen.) + 'души' (fem. gen.).
Which situation best describes a 'человек широкой души'?
Выберите правильную ситуацию:
Generosity and hospitality are key traits of a 'wide soul'.
Match the idiom with its meaning.
Сопоставьте идиомы:
Understanding the nuances between similar character descriptions.
Complete the dialogue using the phrase.
— Ты слышал, что Борис отдал свою премию на ремонт детского дома? — Да, он всегда был...
The standard idiomatic completion for a grand act of charity.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesМой дедушка всегда был [широкий] [душа] человеком.
The phrase is a fixed genitive construction: 'широкой' (fem. gen.) + 'души' (fem. gen.).
Выберите правильную ситуацию:
Generosity and hospitality are key traits of a 'wide soul'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Understanding the nuances between similar character descriptions.
— Ты слышал, что Борис отдал свою премию на ремонт детского дома? — Да, он всегда был...
The standard idiomatic completion for a grand act of charity.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, absolutely. You say 'Она — человек широкой души'.
No, it's more about a general attitude of generosity, including time, forgiveness, and emotional support.
It is neutral to formal. It's very common in literature and speeches, but also used between friends.
A 'мелочный человек' (petty person) or 'скупой человек' (stingy person).
Yes, you can say 'У него широкая душа' (He has a wide soul).
Only metaphorically. Both imply strength and size, but one is physical and the other is spiritual.
Not necessarily. A poor person can be a 'человек широкой души' by sharing their last piece of bread.
It has deep roots, but it is still very much in use today.
Yes, if someone is being clearly stingy, you might say 'Ну ты и человек широкой души!'
The 'и' after 'ш' sounds like 'ы' (a hard, guttural sound).
Expressions liées
душа нараспашку
similarVery open and sincere.
жить на широкую ногу
builds onTo live in a grand, expensive style.
мелочный человек
contrastA petty, stingy person.
рубаха-парень
similarA simple, open, friendly guy.
