Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cemetery'

English Word: Cemetery

Key Russian Translations:

• кладбище [ˈkladbʲɪɕːə] - [Neutral, Most Common]
• погост [pɐˈɡost] - [Formal, Historical, Often Rural]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday contexts)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "кладбище"; B2 for "погост" due to historical nuance)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кладбище: [ˈkladbʲɪɕːə]

Note on кладбище: Stress on the first syllable; the "щ" sound is a soft, prolonged "shch".

погост: [pɐˈɡost]

Note on погост: Stress on the second syllable; often unfamiliar to learners due to its historical connotations.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A place where the dead are buried (General)

Translation(s) & Context:

• кладбище - Used in most general contexts to refer to a burial ground or graveyard.

Usage Examples:

• Мы посетили старое кладбище в центре города.

  We visited an old cemetery in the city center.

• На кладбище было очень тихо и спокойно.

  It was very quiet and peaceful at the cemetery.

• Он работает смотрителем на местном кладбище.

  He works as a caretaker at the local cemetery.

2. A historical or rural burial site (Specific, Archaic)

Translation(s) & Context:

• погост - Refers to a historical or rural burial site, often near a church; less common in modern usage.

Usage Examples:

• В деревне сохранился древний погост с деревянной церковью.

  An ancient burial ground with a wooden church has been preserved in the village.

• Погост упоминался в старинных летописях.

  The burial site was mentioned in ancient chronicles.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

кладбище (Noun, Neuter): Follows the second declension pattern for neuter nouns ending in -е.

погост (Noun, Masculine): Follows the second declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for кладбище:

• некрополь (more formal, often used for ancient or monumental cemeteries)
• могильник (archaeological or informal context)

Antonyms:

• Нет прямых антонимов (No direct antonyms, as the concept is specific)

Related Phrases:

• ходить на кладбище - "to visit a cemetery" (often for paying respects to the deceased)
• старое кладбище - "old cemetery" (refers to historical or abandoned burial grounds)
• погост у церкви - "churchyard burial site" (historical context for rural areas)

Usage Notes:

• "кладбище" is the most common and neutral term for a cemetery and should be used in most modern contexts.
• "погост" is more formal or historical and often refers to rural or church-adjacent burial sites. It may not be understood by all speakers in casual conversation.
• Be mindful of cultural sensitivity when discussing cemeteries in Russian, as the topic can evoke strong emotions, especially around memorial days like Радоница (Radonitsa).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "погост" in everyday contexts. Incorrect: "Я пошел на погост вчера." Correct: "Я пошел на кладбище вчера." (Explanation: "погост" sounds outdated or overly formal in casual speech.)
• Error: Mispronouncing "кладбище" by stressing the wrong syllable. Stress should be on "клад-".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, cemeteries (кладбища) hold deep significance, especially in connection with Orthodox Christian traditions. Visiting cemeteries to honor the dead is common during specific holidays like Радоница (Radonitsa), a day to remember the deceased. The term "погост" historically refers to a parish or community center that included a church and burial ground, reflecting its cultural and religious roots.

Related Concepts:

• могила (grave)
• похороны (funeral)
• памятник (monument, tombstone)