Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'contrite'

English Word: contrite

Key Russian Translations:

• раскаявшийся [rɐˈska.jɪf.ʂɨ.jɪˈsʲ] - [Formal, Adjective]
• сожалеющий [sɐˈʐalə.jʊˈʂɨj] - [Informal, Adjective]
• кающийся [kɐˈrasʲ.tɕɪ.jɪˈsʲ] - [Formal, often in religious contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature, religious, or psychological discussions, but not in everyday casual speech).

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and nuanced emotional vocabulary; for 'раскаявшийся', it may be C1 due to its formal connotations).

Pronunciation (Russian):

раскаявшийся: [rɐˈska.jɪf.ʂɨ.jɪˈsʲ]

сожалеющий: [sɐˈʐalə.jʊˈʂɨj]

кающийся: [kɐˈrasʲ.tɕɪ.jɪˈsʲ]

Note on раскаявшийся: The stress falls on the third syllable; be cautious with the 'щ' sound, which is a soft, hissing fricative unique to Russian. Variations may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Feeling deep remorse or penitence for wrongdoing.

Translation(s) & Context:

• раскаявшийся - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe someone who has repented, often with a moral or religious undertone.
• сожалеющий - Applied in everyday situations to express regret, less intense than 'раскаявшийся'.

Usage Examples:

• Он был раскаявшимся грешником, который решил изменить свою жизнь. (He was a contrite sinner who decided to change his life.)

  English Translation: He was a contrite sinner who decided to change his life.

• После ошибки она стала сожалеющей и извинилась перед друзьями. (After the mistake, she became contrite and apologized to her friends.)

  English Translation: After the mistake, she became contrite and apologized to her friends.

• В церкви кающийся человек молился за прощение. (In the church, the contrite person prayed for forgiveness.)

  English Translation: In the church, the contrite person prayed for forgiveness.

• Раскаявшийся вор вернул украденные вещи. (The contrite thief returned the stolen items.)

  English Translation: The contrite thief returned the stolen items.

• Сожалеющий о своих словах, он постарался исправить ситуацию. (Contrite about his words, he tried to fix the situation.)

  English Translation: Contrite about his words, he tried to fix the situation.

Secondary Meaning: Expressing sorrow or guilt in a humble manner.

Translation(s) & Context:

• кающийся - Often used in spiritual or confessional contexts, implying ongoing repentance.
• раскаявшийся - In interpersonal scenarios, to show humility.

Usage Examples:

• Кающийся ученик признал свою ошибку перед учителем. (The contrite student admitted his mistake to the teacher.)

  English Translation: The contrite student admitted his mistake to the teacher.

• Раскаявшаяся женщина написала письмо с извинениями. (The contrite woman wrote a letter of apology.)

  English Translation: The contrite woman wrote a letter of apology.

• В повседневной жизни сожалеющий человек быстро учится на ошибках. (In everyday life, a contrite person quickly learns from mistakes.)

  English Translation: In everyday life, a contrite person quickly learns from mistakes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. 'Раскаявшийся' and 'сожалеющий' follow regular adjective patterns, while 'кающийся' may have variations in religious contexts.

For 'сожалеющий', it follows the same pattern. 'Кающийся' is less variable and often remains unchanged in fixed phrases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • покаявшийся (similar to раскаявшийся, but more specifically tied to confession)
  • смиренный (humble, with a connotation of submission)
• Antonyms:
  • непокаявшийся (unrepentant, directly opposite)
  • безразличный (indifferent, lacking remorse)

Related Phrases:

• Раскаявшийся грешник - A contrite sinner (used in religious or moral discussions to describe someone seeking redemption).
• Сожалеющий взгляд - A contrite look (refers to an expression of regret in interpersonal communication).
• Кающийся в грехах - Penitent for sins (common in confessional contexts, implying ongoing remorse).

Usage Notes:

'Contrite' corresponds most closely to 'раскаявшийся' in formal English-Russian translations, especially in contexts involving deep remorse, such as literature or psychology. Use 'сожалеющий' for less intense, everyday regrets. Be mindful of gender and case agreements in Russian sentences, as adjectives must match the noun they describe. For example, choose 'раскаявшийся' for masculine subjects and 'раскаявшаяся' for feminine. When deciding between translations, opt for 'кающийся' in religious settings for its spiritual nuance.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'раскаявшийся' in casual conversations where 'сожалеющий' is more appropriate. For instance, learners might say "Я раскаявшийся" instead of "Я сожалеющий" for simple apologies.

  Correct Usage: "Я сожалеющий о своих словах" (I am contrite about my words). Explanation: 'Раскаявшийся' implies profound repentance, which can sound overly dramatic in informal contexts.

• Error: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., saying "раскаявшийся женщина" instead of "раскаявшаяся женщина".

  Correct Usage: "Раскаявшаяся женщина" (The contrite woman). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'раскаявшийся' often carry strong Orthodox Christian connotations, reflecting themes of confession and redemption in literature and daily life. For example, in Russian Orthodox traditions, contrition is a key aspect of spiritual growth, as seen in works by authors like Dostoevsky, where characters experience profound remorse as a path to moral awakening.

Related Concepts:

• покаяние (repentance)
• смирение (humility)
• грех (sin)