Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Dignify'

English Word: Dignify

Key Russian Translations:

• возвышать [vɐzˈvɨʂətʲ] - [Formal, Often used in literary or elevated contexts]
• удостаивать [ʊdɐˈstaɪvətʲ] - [Formal, Used in contexts of granting honor or recognition]

Frequency: Medium (less common in everyday speech, more frequent in formal or written contexts)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "возвышать"; C1 (Advanced) for "удостаивать" due to nuanced usage

Pronunciation (Russian):

возвышать: [vɐzˈvɨʂətʲ]

Note on возвышать: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ш" sound is a soft, hissing sound unique to Russian.

удостаивать: [ʊdɐˈstaɪvətʲ]

Note on удостаивать: Stress on the third syllable. The prefix "удо-" can be tricky for non-native speakers to pronounce smoothly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To give dignity or honor to someone or something

Translation(s) & Context:

• возвышать - Often used to elevate someone's status or to speak of something in a noble way.
• удостаивать - Used when formally granting honor or recognition, often with a sense of worthiness.

Usage Examples:

• Его слова возвышают значение этого события.

  His words dignify the importance of this event.

• Мы не должны возвышать тех, кто этого не заслуживает.

  We should not dignify those who do not deserve it.

• Её удостоили высокой награды за вклад в науку.

  She was dignified with a high award for her contribution to science.

• Он удостоил меня своим вниманием.

  He dignified me with his attention.

• Этот поступок возвышает его в глазах общества.

  This act dignifies him in the eyes of society.

2. To treat something as worthy of attention or response

Translation(s) & Context:

• удостаивать - Used in a more figurative sense, as in giving attention or acknowledgment.

Usage Examples:

• Я не буду удостаивать этот вопрос ответом.

  I will not dignify this question with a response.

• Его замечание не стоит удостаивать внимания.

  His remark is not worth dignifying with attention.

• Она даже не удостоила его взглядом.

  She didn’t even dignify him with a glance.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

возвышать (Verb, Imperfective Aspect):

Person	Present Tense	Past Tense (Masculine/Feminine/Neuter)
1st Singular	возвышаю	возвышал / возвышала / возвышало
2nd Singular	возвышаешь	возвышал / возвышала / возвышало
3rd Singular	возвышает	возвышал / возвышала / возвышало
1st Plural	возвышаем	возвышали

Note: Perfective form is "возвысить" [vɐzˈvɨsʲɪtʲ], used for completed actions.

удостаивать (Verb, Imperfective Aspect):

Person	Present Tense	Past Tense (Masculine/Feminine/Neuter)
1st Singular	удостаиваю	удостаивал / удостаивала / удостаивало
2nd Singular	удостаиваешь	удостаивал / удостаивала / удостаивало
3rd Singular	удостаивает	удостаивал / удостаивала / удостаивало
1st Plural	удостаиваем	удостаивали

Note: Perfective form is "удостоить" [ʊdɐˈstoɪtʲ], used for completed actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for возвышать:

• возносить
• превозносить

Note: "превозносить" is more intense and often implies excessive praise.

Synonyms for удостаивать:

• награждать
• почитать

Antonyms:

• унижать (to humiliate)
• принижать (to belittle)

Related Phrases:

• возвышать до небес - "to praise to the skies" (used for excessive praise)
• удостоить чести - "to do the honor" (used when granting someone a privilege or recognition)

Usage Notes:

• "возвышать" is more commonly used in abstract or metaphorical contexts, such as elevating someone's status or the importance of an idea.
• "удостаивать" often implies a formal act of recognition or giving attention, frequently used with nouns like "внимание" (attention) or "награда" (award).
• Both verbs are formal and rarely used in casual conversation. Choose "возвышать" for broader elevation contexts and "удостаивать" for specific acts of recognition.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "возвышать" in contexts of formal recognition. Incorrect: *возвышать награды* (wrong verb for "award"). Correct: "удостаивать награды". Explanation: "возвышать" does not fit contexts of tangible honors or awards.
• Error: Misusing aspectual forms. Incorrect: *Я возвышу его завтра* (wrong context for future perfective). Correct: Use imperfective "буду возвышать" for ongoing intent. Explanation: Aspect choice is crucial in Russian verbs.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, dignity and honor are deeply valued, and verbs like "возвышать" and "удостаивать" often appear in formal speeches, literature, or historical texts. They carry a weight of respect and are tied to societal values of recognition and status.

Related Concepts:

• честь (honor)
• достоинство (dignity)
• уважение (respect)