Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cleanse'

English Word: cleanse

Key Russian Translations:

• очищать [ɐt͡ɕɪˈɕːætʲ] - [Formal, General Use]
• чистить [ˈt͡ɕistʲɪtʲ] - [Informal, Everyday Use]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

очищать: [ɐt͡ɕɪˈɕːætʲ]

Note on очищать: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "щ" sound is a soft, hissing sound unique to Russian, often challenging for non-native speakers.

чистить: [ˈt͡ɕistʲɪtʲ]

Note on чистить: Stress on the first syllable. The "ч" is a soft "ch" sound, and the final "ть" indicates an infinitive verb form.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To purify or clean physically

Translation(s) & Context:

• очищать - Used in formal or technical contexts, often for purifying substances or spaces (e.g., water, air).
• чистить - Common in everyday speech for cleaning objects or surfaces (e.g., clothes, shoes).

Usage Examples:

• Мы должны очищать воду перед использованием.

  We must cleanse the water before using it.

• Я чищу обувь каждый вечер.

  I cleanse (clean) my shoes every evening.

• Этот фильтр помогает очищать воздух в комнате.

  This filter helps cleanse the air in the room.

2. To purify spiritually or metaphorically

Translation(s) & Context:

• очищать - Often used in spiritual or metaphorical contexts (e.g., cleansing the soul or mind).

Usage Examples:

• Медитация помогает очищать разум.

  Meditation helps cleanse the mind.

• Он стремился очищать свою душу через добрые дела.

  He sought to cleanse his soul through good deeds.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

очищать (Verb, Imperfective): Regular conjugation in the present, past, and future tenses. Used for ongoing or incomplete actions.

чистить (Verb, Imperfective): Also regular conjugation, similar structure to "очищать."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for очищать:

• purifying - очищать
• cleaning - чистить

Note: "Очищать" often implies a deeper or more formal purification, while "чистить" is more casual and practical.

Antonyms for очищать/чистить:

• загрязнять (to pollute)
• пачкать (to dirty)

Related Phrases:

• очищать совесть - to cleanse one's conscience (metaphorical, spiritual context)
• чистить зубы - to brush (cleanse) teeth (everyday practical use)
• очищать организм - to detox (cleanse) the body (health context)

Usage Notes:

• "Очищать" is generally used in more formal or abstract contexts, such as cleansing water, air, or the soul. It often implies a process of purification.
• "Чистить" is more colloquial and practical, used for everyday cleaning tasks like cleaning clothes, shoes, or surfaces.
• Both verbs are imperfective, meaning they describe ongoing or habitual actions. For completed actions, perfective forms like "очистить" and "почистить" are used.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "чистить" in formal or spiritual contexts (e.g., "чистить душу" for "cleanse the soul").
  Correct Usage: Use "очищать душу." "Чистить" is too casual for such contexts.
• Error: Misconjugating "чистить" as a regular verb without the stem change (e.g., saying "чистю" instead of "чищу").
  Correct Usage: Learn the irregular present tense forms like "чищу" (I clean).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "очищение" (cleansing) often carries spiritual significance, especially in religious contexts like Orthodox Christianity, where rituals of purification (e.g., baptism) are symbolically important. The term "очищать" may evoke such connotations when used metaphorically.

Related Concepts:

• очищение (purification)
• чистота (cleanliness)
• гигиена (hygiene)