Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'burial'

English Word: burial

Key Russian Translations:

• похороны [pəxɐˈronɨ] - [Plural, Formal/Neutral]
• захоронение [zəxɐˈronʲɪjə] - [Singular, Formal, Often used in legal or historical contexts]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "похороны"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "захоронение"

Pronunciation (Russian):

похороны: [pəxɐˈronɨ]

Note on похороны: Stress falls on the third syllable. The 'ы' sound is a distinct Russian vowel, pronounced as a short, central 'i'.

захоронение: [zəxɐˈronʲɪjə]

Note on захоронение: Stress on the third syllable. The 'е' at the end is pronounced as 'ye' due to palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Funeral or act of burying (ceremonial context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• похороны - Primarily used for the funeral ceremony or the act of burial in a personal or emotional context.

Usage Examples:

• Похороны состоятся завтра на местном кладбище.

  The burial will take place tomorrow at the local cemetery.

• Мы собрались, чтобы почтить память на похоронах.

  We gathered to honor the memory at the burial.

• После похорон семья устроила поминки.

  After the burial, the family held a memorial meal.

2. Burial or interment (technical or historical context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• захоронение - Used in formal, legal, or historical discussions about burial sites or processes.

Usage Examples:

• Археологи обнаружили древнее захоронение.

  Archaeologists discovered an ancient burial site.

• Захоронение отходов регулируется законом.

  The burial of waste is regulated by law.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

похороны (noun, plural only, neuter): This word is always used in the plural form and does not have a singular counterpart. It follows the standard neuter plural declension.

захоронение (noun, singular, neuter): Regular neuter noun declension in singular and plural forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for похороны:

• погребение (more archaic or literary)

Note: "погребение" is less common in everyday speech and often appears in historical or religious texts.

Synonyms for захоронение:

• погребение (in formal contexts)

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as burial lacks a clear opposite in Russian vocabulary.

Related Phrases:

• устроить похороны - to organize a burial/funeral.
• присутствовать на похоронах - to attend a burial/funeral.
• место захоронения - burial place/site.

Usage Notes:

• "похороны" is the most common term for a funeral or burial event and is almost always used in the plural. It carries a personal or emotional connotation.
• "захоронение" is more technical and often refers to the act or location of burial, especially in formal or historical contexts. It can also apply to non-human burial (e.g., waste).
• Choosing between the two depends on the context: use "похороны" for ceremonies and personal loss, and "захоронение" for discussions of burial sites or processes.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "похороны" in the singular form. Incorrect: "похорон". Correct: Always use "похороны" as it is plural-only.
• Error: Confusing "похороны" with "захоронение" in emotional contexts. Incorrect: "Мы были на захоронении друга." Correct: "Мы были на похоронах друга." (We were at our friend's burial.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "похороны" (burial/funeral) often involves specific traditions, such as a procession, religious rites (often Orthodox Christian), and a memorial meal called "поминки". Expressing condolences is crucial, and phrases like "Соболезную" (My condolences) are commonly used during such events.

Related Concepts:

• кладбище (cemetery)
• поминки (memorial meal)
• могила (grave)