Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'baptize'

English Word: baptize

Key Russian Translations:

• крестить [krʲɪˈsʲtʲitʲ] - [Formal, Religious Context]
• окрестить [ɐkrʲɪˈsʲtʲitʲ] - [Formal, Often Historical or Literary]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in religious or historical contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations due to specific contextual usage

Pronunciation (Russian):

крестить: [krʲɪˈsʲtʲitʲ]

Note on крестить: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "р" is rolled slightly, typical of Russian phonetics.

окрестить: [ɐkrʲɪˈsʲtʲitʲ]

Note on окрестить: The prefix "о-" slightly changes the nuance, but pronunciation remains similar to "крестить".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To perform a Christian baptism ritual

Translation(s) & Context:

• крестить - Used in modern religious contexts to refer to the act of baptizing someone in the Christian faith.

Usage Examples:

• Священник будет крестить ребёнка завтра.

  The priest will baptize the child tomorrow.

• Она решила крестить своего сына в православной церкви.

  She decided to baptize her son in the Orthodox Church.

• Меня крестили, когда я был младенцем.

  I was baptized when I was a baby.

2. To give a name or title (often historical or metaphorical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• окрестить - Often used metaphorically or in historical texts to mean "to name" or "to christen" something.

Usage Examples:

• Этот корабль окрестили в честь знаменитого адмирала.

  This ship was christened in honor of a famous admiral.

• Его окрестили "королём сцены" за его талант.

  He was dubbed "the king of the stage" for his talent.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

крестить (verb, imperfective): Regular conjugation in the present, past, and future tenses. Below is a simplified conjugation table for the present tense.

окрестить (verb, perfective): Used for completed actions. Conjugation follows a similar pattern but is often used in past or future tenses (e.g., "окрестил" - baptized/christened).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for крестить:

• окрестить (used in specific contexts like naming or historical baptism)

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as there is no direct opposite for the act of baptism in Russian.

Note: "окрестить" often implies a completed or one-time action, while "крестить" can refer to the ongoing act or intent.

Related Phrases:

• крестить ребёнка - To baptize a child (common phrase in religious contexts).
• окрестить корабль - To christen a ship (metaphorical use of baptism).
• быть крещённым - To be baptized (used to describe someone who has undergone the ritual).

Usage Notes:

• "крестить" is the more common and neutral term for the act of baptism in modern Russian, especially in religious contexts.
• "окрестить" often carries a historical or literary tone and can be used metaphorically to mean "to name" or "to christen" something (e.g., a ship or a place).
• Both verbs are transitive and require a direct object (e.g., a person or thing being baptized/christened).
• Be mindful of the aspect: "крестить" is imperfective (ongoing or repeated action), while "окрестить" is perfective (completed action).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "окрестить" in modern religious contexts for baptism.
  Incorrect: Я хочу окрестить своего ребёнка.
  Correct: Я хочу крестить своего ребёнка.
  Explanation: "окрестить" is more appropriate for historical or metaphorical naming, not modern baptism rituals.
• Error: Forgetting the aspectual difference and using the wrong form for past actions.
  Incorrect: Он крестил корабль.
  Correct: Он окрестил корабль.
  Explanation: For a completed action like naming a ship, the perfective "окрестил" is required.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, baptism ("крещение") is a significant religious ritual, especially in the Orthodox Christian tradition. The act of "крестить" often involves a ceremony with water and is tied to naming the child. The term "крещение" also refers to the holiday of Epiphany, celebrated with rituals like ice-water immersion in some regions, reflecting the deep cultural and spiritual significance of the concept.

Related Concepts:

• крещение (baptism as a noun)
• крест (cross, symbol of Christianity)
• крестный отец/мать (godfather/godmother)