Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Defile'

English Word: defile

Key Russian Translations:

• осквернять [ɐskvʲɪrˈnʲatʲ] - [Formal, Verb, Imperfective]
• осквернить [ɐskvʲɪrˈnʲitʲ] - [Formal, Verb, Perfective]
• загрязнять [zəɡrʲɪzˈnʲatʲ] - [Neutral, Verb, Imperfective, Often for physical pollution]

Frequency: Medium (used in specific contexts like religious or environmental discussions)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "осквернять" and "осквернить"; B1 (Beginner-Intermediate) for "загрязнять"

Pronunciation (Russian):

осквернять: [ɐskvʲɪrˈnʲatʲ]

Note on осквернять: Stress falls on the second syllable. The soft 'р' sound can be challenging for non-native speakers.

осквернить: [ɐskvʲɪrˈnʲitʲ]

Note on осквернить: Similar to "осквернять" but with a sharper, completed action tone due to its perfective aspect.

загрязнять: [zəɡrʲɪzˈnʲatʲ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To desecrate or profane (sacred or holy things)

Translation(s) & Context:

• осквернять/осквернить - Used in religious or moral contexts to indicate desecration of something sacred.

Usage Examples:

• Они осквернили древний храм своими действиями.

  They defiled the ancient temple with their actions.

• Нельзя осквернять память павших героев.

  One must not defile the memory of fallen heroes.

• Он осквернил святыню, не осознавая последствий.

  He defiled the shrine without realizing the consequences.

2. To pollute or contaminate (physically)

Translation(s) & Context:

• загрязнять - Commonly used for environmental pollution or physical contamination.

Usage Examples:

• Заводы загрязняют реки токсичными отходами.

  Factories defile rivers with toxic waste.

• Не загрязняйте природу, выбрасывая мусор.

  Do not defile nature by littering.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

осквернять (Imperfective Verb): Follows regular conjugation for 1st conjugation verbs in Russian.

Person	Present Tense	Past Tense
Я (I)	оскверняю	осквернял (m) / оскверняла (f)
Ты (You, sing.)	оскверняешь	осквернял (m) / оскверняла (f)
Он/Она (He/She)	оскверняет	осквернял (m) / оскверняла (f)

осквернить (Perfective Verb): Indicates a completed action. Conjugates similarly but used in past or future contexts.

загрязнять (Imperfective Verb): Follows similar regular conjugation patterns for 1st conjugation verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for осквернять/осквернить:

• профанировать
• оскорблять (in certain contexts)

Note: "профанировать" is more academic or literary, while "оскорблять" often implies verbal insult.

Synonyms for загрязнять:

• заражать
• портить

Antonyms for осквернять:

• освящать (to consecrate)

Antonyms for загрязнять:

• очищать (to purify)

Related Phrases:

• осквернять память - to defile someone's memory (often used for disrespecting the deceased)
• загрязнять окружающую среду - to pollute the environment (common in ecological discussions)
• осквернить святыню - to desecrate a shrine (used in religious contexts)

Usage Notes:

• "осквернять" and "осквернить" are primarily used in formal or religious contexts to describe desecration or moral corruption. Use "осквернять" for ongoing actions and "осквернить" for completed ones.
• "загрязнять" is more neutral and often refers to physical pollution. It is less emotionally charged than the other translations.
• Be mindful of the context when choosing between these translations, as they are not interchangeable.

Common Errors:

Error 1: Using "загрязнять" in a religious context. Incorrect: "Он загрязнил храм." Correct: "Он осквернил храм." (Explanation: "загрязнять" refers to physical dirt, not moral or spiritual desecration.)

Error 2: Confusing imperfective "осквернять" with perfective "осквернить." Incorrect: "Я оскверняю храм вчера." Correct: "Я осквернил храм вчера." (Explanation: Use perfective for past completed actions.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "осквернение" (desecration) carries a heavy emotional and moral weight, especially in relation to religious sites or national memory. It is often associated with deep disrespect and can evoke strong negative reactions.

Related Concepts:

• профанация (profanation)
• святотатство (sacrilege)
• экологическое загрязнение (environmental pollution)