Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'contrition'

English Word: contrition

Key Russian Translations:

• раскаяние /rɐskɐˈjænʲɪje/ - [Formal, often used in religious or literary contexts]
• сожаление /səʐɐˈlʲenʲɪje/ - [Informal, but less precise; used for general regret]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal, literary, or religious texts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; involves abstract emotional concepts and requires understanding of Russian nominal inflections)

Pronunciation (Russian):

раскаяние: /rɐskɐˈjænʲɪje/

сожаление: /səʐɐˈlʲenʲɪje/

Note on раскаяние: The stress falls on the third syllable; be mindful of the soft sign (ʲ) which affects the pronunciation of the preceding consonant, making it palatalized.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Deep regret or remorse for wrongdoing

Translation(s) & Context:

• раскаяние - Used in formal, religious, or introspective contexts, such as confessions or moral reflections.
• сожаление - Applied in everyday situations for milder regret, but may not fully capture the depth of contrition.

Usage Examples:

• Он испытывает глубокое раскаяние после своего поступка.

  He feels deep contrition after his action.

• В церкви она молилась о раскаянии за прошлые грехи.

  In church, she prayed for contrition for her past sins.

• Раскаяние помогло ему изменить свою жизнь к лучшему.

  Contrition helped him change his life for the better.

• Несмотря на раскаяние, он не смог исправить причиненный вред.

  Despite his contrition, he couldn't undo the harm he caused.

• Её раскаяние выразилось в слезах и извинениях.

  Her contrition was expressed through tears and apologies.

General regret without strong moral implication

Translation(s) & Context:

• сожаление - Used in casual conversations for everyday remorse, such as regretting a minor mistake.

Usage Examples:

• Он выразил сожаление по поводу опоздания на встречу.

  He expressed contrition regarding being late for the meeting (though milder than true contrition).

• Сожаление не вернёт потерянное время.

  Contrition won't bring back the lost time (emphasizing regret without deep moral weight).

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. "Раскаяние" is a neuter noun of the third declension, which follows regular patterns but has some irregularities in certain cases. "Сожаление" is also neuter and follows standard third-declension rules.

Note: These nouns do not change for gender but inflect regularly for case and number. There are no irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • покаяние (pokayaniye) - Similar to раскаяние, often with a religious connotation; implies confession and repentance.
  • сожаление (sozhaleniye) - As above, but more general and less intense.
• Antonyms:
  • удовлетворение (udovletvoreniye) - Satisfaction, implying the opposite of regret.
  • равнодушие (ravnodushiye) - Indifference, lacking any emotional response.

Related Phrases:

• Испытывать раскаяние - To experience contrition; used in contexts of self-reflection or moral awakening.
• Глубокое раскаяние - Deep contrition; emphasizes intensity in emotional or legal settings.
• Раскаяние души - Contrition of the soul; a phrase with religious undertones, often in literature.

Usage Notes:

"Раскаяние" is the most accurate translation for "contrition" in formal or religious contexts, as it conveys a profound, heartfelt remorse. In contrast, "сожаление" is better for everyday regrets and may not fully capture the moral depth. English speakers should note that Russian nouns like these inflect for case, so always adjust based on sentence structure (e.g., use genitive after prepositions like "о" for "about"). When choosing between translations, opt for "раскаяние" in serious discussions and "сожаление" in casual ones to match the appropriate register.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "сожаление" interchangeably with "раскаяние" without considering context. For example, a learner might say "Я чувствую сожаление за мой грех" when "раскаяние" is more appropriate for a moral wrongdoing.

  Correct: "Я чувствую раскаяние за мой грех" - This better conveys deep contrition. Explanation: "Сожаление" implies lighter regret, potentially diluting the intended meaning in serious contexts.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect the noun, e.g., using "раскаяние" in the wrong case. Incorrect: "О раскаяние" (should be genitive: "О раскаянии").

  Correct: "О раскаянии" - Always check the case based on the preposition or sentence role to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, particularly within the Orthodox Christian tradition, "раскаяние" carries significant weight, often linked to concepts of sin, confession, and spiritual redemption. It reflects a cultural emphasis on introspection and moral accountability, as seen in classic literature like Dostoevsky's works, where characters grapple with deep remorse as a path to personal growth.

Related Concepts:

• грех (greh) - Sin
• покаяние (pokayaniye) - Repentance
• душевное равновесие (dushevnoe ravnovesiye) - Inner peace