Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cremate'

English Word: Cremate

Key Russian Translations:

• кремировать [krʲɪˈmʲirəvətʲ] - [Formal, Verb]

Frequency: Low

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кремировать: [krʲɪˈmʲirəvətʲ]

Note on кремировать: The stress falls on the second syllable, "ми". Non-native speakers often misplace the stress, which can alter the meaning or sound unnatural.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To burn a dead body to ashes as part of a funeral rite

Translation(s) & Context:

• кремировать - Used in formal and medical contexts to refer to the act of cremation.

Usage Examples:

• Тело было кремировано по желанию семьи.

  The body was cremated at the family's request.

• В этом городе есть только один крематорий, где кремируют тела.

  There is only one crematorium in this city where bodies are cremated.

• Она завещала кремировать её после смерти.

  She willed that she be cremated after her death.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The verb кремировать is a regular verb of the first conjugation in Russian. It follows standard conjugation patterns for verbs ending in -овать. Below is the conjugation table for the present, past, and imperative forms:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• сжечь (in the context of burning, though less formal and not always specific to cremation)

Note: "сжечь" can be used for burning in general and may not always imply a formal cremation process.

Antonyms:

• похоронить (to bury)

Related Phrases:

• кремировать тело - to cremate a body (formal expression for the act of cremation).
• крематорий - crematorium (the place where cremation occurs).

Usage Notes:

• The verb "кремировать" is used specifically in formal, medical, or legal contexts related to the cremation of a body. It is not used metaphorically or in casual speech.
• Unlike English, where "cremate" might be understood by a wider audience, "кремировать" is a specialized term in Russian and not commonly used in everyday conversation.
• In informal contexts, Russians might refer to the process indirectly, e.g., by mentioning the crematorium ("крематорий") or using more general terms like "сжечь" (to burn), though the latter can be considered disrespectful if not used carefully.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "сжечь" (to burn) instead of "кремировать" in formal contexts. For example, saying "Мы сожгли тело" ("We burned the body") can sound inappropriate or disrespectful.
  Correct Usage: "Мы кремировали тело" ("We cremated the body").
• Error: Misplacing the stress in "кремировать". Some learners stress the first syllable ("кре́мировать"), which is incorrect and can confuse listeners.
  Correct Usage: Stress on the second syllable: "креми́ровать".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, cremation is less common than burial, especially among those who follow Orthodox Christian traditions, where burial is the norm. Cremation might be associated with secular or modern practices and is more prevalent in urban areas with access to crematoriums. The term "кремировать" thus carries a clinical or formal tone and is often used in legal or medical discussions rather than personal or emotional contexts.

Related Concepts:

• крематорий (crematorium)
• похороны (funeral)
• похоронить (to bury)