Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Devote'

English Word: devote

Key Russian Translations:

• посвящать [pɐsʲvʲɪˈʃːatʲ] - [Formal, Imperfective Verb]
• посвятить [pɐsʲvʲɪˈtʲitʲ] - [Formal, Perfective Verb]
• отдавать [ɐtːɐˈdavətʲ] - [Informal, Imperfective Verb, Often used for time or effort]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "посвящать" and "посвятить"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "отдавать" due to nuanced usage

Pronunciation (Russian):

посвящать: [pɐsʲvʲɪˈʃːatʲ]

Note on посвящать: Stress falls on the second syllable; the "щ" sound is a soft, prolonged "shch".

посвятить: [pɐsʲvʲɪˈtʲitʲ]

Note on посвятить: Stress on the second syllable; perfective form often implies a completed action.

отдавать: [ɐtːɐˈdavətʲ]

Note on отдавать: Stress on the third syllable; often used metaphorically for dedication of time or effort.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To dedicate time, effort, or resources to something

Translation(s) & Context:

• посвящать - Used for ongoing dedication, often in formal or abstract contexts (e.g., dedicating life to a cause).
• посвятить - Used for a specific, completed act of dedication (e.g., dedicating a book to someone).
• отдавать - Commonly used for giving time or energy, less formal (e.g., devoting time to family).

Usage Examples:

• Она посвятила свою жизнь науке.

  She devoted her life to science.

• Он посвятил эту книгу своей семье.

  He dedicated this book to his family.

• Я отдаю всё своё время детям.

  I devote all my time to my children.

• Мы посвящаем много усилий этому проекту.

  We are devoting a lot of effort to this project.

• Она отдала годы на изучение русского языка.

  She devoted years to studying the Russian language.

2. To commit or consecrate (often in a ceremonial or religious sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• посвятить - Used for formal or ceremonial dedication (e.g., dedicating a monument or initiating someone).

Usage Examples:

• Его посвятили в рыцари.

  He was devoted (initiated) as a knight.

• Этот храм был посвящён святому.

  This church was devoted (consecrated) to a saint.

• Они посвятили памятник героям войны.

  They dedicated the monument to the heroes of the war.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

посвящать / посвятить (verbs, imperfective/perfective pair):

отдавать (verb, imperfective; perfective form: отдать) follows a similar conjugation pattern but is often used in different contexts. Key distinction: отдавать focuses on "giving away" effort or time.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for посвящать/посвятить:

• уделять (to allocate, often time or attention)
• жертвовать (to sacrifice, in the sense of giving up something for a cause)

Note: "уделять" is less formal and often used for attention, while "жертвовать" implies a greater personal cost.

Antonyms for посвящать/посвятить:

• игнорировать (to ignore)
• пренебрегать (to neglect)

Related Phrases:

• посвятить жизнь чему-либо - "to devote one's life to something"
• отдавать всё своё время - "to devote all one's time"
• посвятить в тайну - "to initiate into a secret" (figurative use)

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "посвящать" (imperfective) and "посвятить" (perfective) depends on whether the action is ongoing or completed. Use "посвящать" for habitual or ongoing dedication, and "посвятить" for a one-time or completed act.
• "отдавать" is more colloquial and often implies a tangible or emotional investment, such as time or energy, rather than a formal dedication.
• Be mindful of the aspect (perfective vs. imperfective) when using these verbs, as it significantly affects the meaning in Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "посвящать" instead of "посвятить" for a completed action.
  Incorrect: Я посвящаю эту книгу тебе.
  Correct: Я посвятил эту книгу тебе. (I dedicated this book to you.)
  Explanation: "посвятить" should be used for a completed act of dedication.
• Error: Using "отдавать" in formal contexts where "посвящать" is more appropriate.
  Incorrect: Он отдаёт свою жизнь науке.
  Correct: Он посвящает свою жизнь науке. (He devotes his life to science.)
  Explanation: "отдавать" sounds less formal and is better for personal or emotional contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "devotion" (especially when using "посвящать" or "посвятить") often carries a deep emotional or moral weight, particularly when referring to dedicating one's life to a cause, family, or profession. This reflects a historical emphasis on collective effort and sacrifice in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• жертвовать (to sacrifice)
• служить (to serve)
• верность (loyalty)