Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Acquit'

English Word: Acquit

Key Russian Translations:

• оправдать [ɐprɐˈvdatʲ] - [Formal, Legal Context]
• освободить [ɐsvɐˈbodʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, Often Legal or Figurative]

Frequency: Medium (often used in legal and formal contexts)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations due to formal usage and conjugation complexity

Pronunciation (Russian):

оправдать: [ɐprɐˈvdatʲ]

Note on оправдать: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'r' sound is rolled, which may be challenging for non-native speakers.

освободить: [ɐsvɐˈbodʲɪtʲ]

Note on освободить: Stress on the third syllable. Pay attention to the soft 'д' sound due to palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To declare not guilty (Legal Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• оправдать - Used in legal settings to mean "to acquit" or "to justify" a person of charges.

Usage Examples:

• Суд оправдал обвиняемого из-за недостатка доказательств.

  The court acquitted the defendant due to lack of evidence.

• Его оправдали после долгого разбирательства.

  He was acquitted after a lengthy trial.

• Мы не можем оправдать такое поведение, даже если нет прямых улик.

  We cannot acquit such behavior, even if there is no direct evidence.

2. To free or release from a duty or obligation (Figurative Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• освободить - Used both literally (e.g., to release someone) and figuratively (e.g., to relieve of responsibility).

Usage Examples:

• Его освободили от всех обвинений.

  He was acquitted of all charges.

• Этот документ освобождает вас от ответственности.

  This document acquits you of any responsibility.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

оправдать (Verb, Perfective): This verb follows regular conjugation patterns for perfective verbs in Russian. It is often used in past or future tenses in legal contexts.

освободить (Verb, Perfective): Similar to оправдать, this verb is perfective and follows regular conjugation rules. It is more versatile in non-legal contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for оправдать:

• обелить (to exonerate, often in a moral sense)
• отстоять (to defend or justify)

Note: "обелить" carries a stronger moral connotation, while "отстоять" implies defending an idea or position.

Antonyms for оправдать:

• обвинить (to accuse)
• осудить (to condemn)

Related Phrases:

• оправдать ожидания - To meet expectations (literally: to justify expectations).
• освободить от обвинений - To acquit of charges (common legal phrase).
• оправдать доверие - To live up to trust (used in personal or professional contexts).

Usage Notes:

• Both "оправдать" and "освободить" can translate to "acquit," but "оправдать" is more strictly tied to legal or moral justification, while "освободить" can also mean "to release" in broader contexts.
• Be mindful of the perfective aspect of both verbs; they imply a completed action. For ongoing or imperfective actions (e.g., "trying to justify"), use the imperfective forms like "оправдывать".
• In formal writing or speech, "оправдать" is the preferred term in legal contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "освободить" when referring to legal acquittal in a formal context. Incorrect: Суд освободил его от вины. Correct: Суд оправдал его. Explanation: "освободить" is more general and may imply physical release rather than legal acquittal.
• Error: Misusing the imperfective form "оправдывать" for a completed action. Incorrect: Суд оправдывал его вчера. Correct: Суд оправдал его вчера. Explanation: Legal verdicts are completed actions, requiring the perfective form.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian legal culture, the concept of "оправдать" carries significant weight as it often implies not just a lack of guilt but a restoration of honor or reputation. This is reflected in media and literature where acquitted individuals are often portrayed as "vindicated" rather than merely "not guilty."

Related Concepts:

• обвинение (accusation)
• суд (court/trial)
• невиновность (innocence)