Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Behead'

English Word: Behead

Key Russian Translations:

• обезглавить [ɐbʲɪzɡɫɐˈvʲitʲ] - [Formal, Often Historical or Literary]
• отрубить голову [ɐtˈrubʲɪtʲ ɡɐˈɫovu] - [Informal, Descriptive]

Frequency: Low (Rare in everyday conversation, more common in historical or literary contexts)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "обезглавить"; B1 (Beginner-Intermediate) for "отрубить голову"

Pronunciation (Russian):

обезглавить: [ɐbʲɪzɡɫɐˈvʲitʲ]

Note on обезглавить: Stress falls on the fourth syllable. The "в" sound is soft due to the following "и".

отрубить голову: [ɐtˈrubʲɪtʲ ɡɐˈɫovu]

Note on отрубить голову: Two-word phrase with stress on the first syllable of "отрубить" and the second syllable of "голову".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To execute by cutting off the head (Literal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• обезглавить - Often used in formal, historical, or literary contexts to describe execution by beheading.
• отрубить голову - More descriptive and less formal, often used in storytelling or vivid descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Король приказал обезглавить предателя.

  The king ordered to behead the traitor.

• В старых сказках часто рассказывали, как дракону отрубили голову.

  In old fairy tales, they often told how the dragon's head was cut off.

• Его обезглавили на главной площади города.

  He was beheaded in the main square of the city.

• Палач одним ударом отрубил голову осуждённому.

  The executioner cut off the condemned man's head with one blow.

• Историки пишут, что многие были обезглавлены во время революции.

  Historians write that many were beheaded during the revolution.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

обезглавить (Verb, Perfective): This verb follows regular conjugation patterns for perfective verbs in Russian. It is often used in past tense or infinitive form in historical contexts.

отрубить голову (Verb Phrase, Perfective): The verb "отрубить" is conjugated, while "голову" (accusative of "голова") remains fixed in this context. It follows standard conjugation for perfective verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• казнить (to execute, broader term)
• отсечь голову (to sever the head, similar to "отрубить голову")

Note: "казнить" is broader and can refer to any form of execution, while "отсечь голову" is a near synonym of "отрубить голову" but slightly more formal.

Antonyms:

• пощадить (to spare)
• освободить (to release)

Related Phrases:

• обезглавить врага - To behead the enemy (historical or metaphorical context).
• отрубить голову одним ударом - To cut off the head with one blow (emphasizes precision or force).
• быть обезглавленным - To be beheaded (passive construction, often in historical texts).

Usage Notes:

• "обезглавить" is more concise and formal, often used in written or historical contexts. It directly translates the concept of beheading.
• "отрубить голову" is a more vivid and descriptive phrase, often used in spoken language or storytelling to paint a graphic picture.
• Both terms are rarely used in modern everyday Russian unless discussing historical events, literature, or fantasy contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "обезглавить" in casual conversation. Incorrect: Я обезглавил курицу для супа. Correct: Я отрубил голову курице для супа. Explanation: "обезглавить" is too formal and dramatic for mundane contexts like cooking; "отрубить голову" is more appropriate.
• Error: Incorrect conjugation of "обезглавить". Incorrect: Он обезглавит врага вчера. Correct: Он обезглавил врага вчера. Explanation: Perfective verbs like "обезглавить" cannot be used in past tense with future forms; use the correct past tense form.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian history and literature, beheading as a form of execution is often associated with medieval times or the Tsarist era, where it symbolized ultimate punishment. The term "обезглавить" frequently appears in historical texts or classic literature (e.g., works by Pushkin or Tolstoy) to evoke a sense of drama or brutality.

Related Concepts:

• казнь (execution)
• палач (executioner)
• гильотина (guillotine)