Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dirge'

English Word: dirge

Key Russian Translations:

• Реквием [rʲɪˈkvʲɪɛm] - [Formal; Used in musical or liturgical contexts]
• Похоронная песня [pɐxɐˈronnəj ˈpʲesnə] - [Informal; Common in everyday discussions about funerals]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but appear in literary, musical, or ceremonial contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; Requires familiarity with Russian vocabulary related to culture and music, as the concepts may not directly align with everyday English usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Реквием: [rʲɪˈkvʲɪɛm]

Note on Реквием: The stress is on the second syllable; be mindful of the soft sign (ь) which softens the preceding consonant, a common challenge for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in different Russian dialects.

Похоронная песня: [pɐxɐˈronnəj ˈpʲesnə]

Note on Похоронная песня: The word "похоронная" has a rolling 'r' and a stressed final syllable in compound forms; practice the vowel reductions for natural flow.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A slow, mournful song or piece of music performed at funerals or to express grief.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Реквием - Used in formal, religious, or artistic settings, such as classical music compositions (e.g., Mozart's Requiem).
• Похоронная песня - Applied in more casual or traditional contexts, like folk traditions or modern descriptions of funeral rites.

Usage Examples:

• Во время похорон они исполнили реквием в память о усопшем. (During the funeral, they performed a requiem in memory of the deceased.)

  English Translation: During the funeral, they performed a requiem in memory of the deceased.

• Эта похоронная песня всегда вызывает слезы у слушателей. (This funeral song always brings tears to the listeners.)

  English Translation: This funeral song always brings tears to the listeners.

• В русской традиции реквием часто звучит на поминках. (In Russian tradition, a requiem often plays at memorial services.)

  English Translation: In Russian tradition, a requiem often plays at memorial services.

• Композитор написал похоронную песню для фильма о войне. (The composer wrote a funeral song for the war film.)

  English Translation: The composer wrote a funeral song for the war film.

• Реквием Моцарта считается одним из величайших произведений в жанре. (Mozart's requiem is considered one of the greatest works in the genre.)

  English Translation: Mozart's requiem is considered one of the greatest works in the genre.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Реквием" and "Похоронная песня" are nouns, with "Реквием" being a masculine noun and "Похоронная песня" a feminine noun phrase. Russian nouns inflect based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining key inflections:

Note: "Реквием" follows standard second-declension patterns for masculine nouns but is often used in singular form due to its specific cultural reference.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Погребальный гимн (Funeral hymn; Similar to "реквием" but more archaic and religious.)
  • Траурная мелодия (Mourning melody; Used in modern contexts for similar emotional effect.)
• Antonyms:
  • Праздничная песня (Festive song; Represents joyful or celebratory music.)
  • Марш радости (March of joy; Contrasts with the mournful tone.)

Related Phrases:

• Исполнить реквием (To perform a requiem) - Refers to playing or singing a funeral composition in a ceremonial setting.
• Похоронная церемония с песней (Funeral ceremony with a song) - Describes traditional rites involving mournful music.
• Траурный гимн (Mourning hymn) - A fixed phrase for songs of grief, often in literary works.

Usage Notes:

"Реквием" directly corresponds to "dirge" in formal contexts, especially in music, and is borrowed from Latin via Western influence. Use "Похоронная песня" for more everyday Russian discussions. Be aware of the formal register; "Реквием" is common in artistic or religious settings, while "Похоронная песня" fits informal narratives. Grammatically, ensure correct case agreement when using these in sentences, as Russian requires nouns to inflect based on their role.

• When choosing between translations, opt for "Реквием" if the context is musical or historical; use "Похоронная песня" for general funeral descriptions.
• These words often appear in compound phrases, so pay attention to adjective agreements (e.g., feminine endings in "Похоронная").

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse the genitive case, such as saying "of реквием" incorrectly as "of реквием" without inflection. Correct usage: "Воспоминания о реквиеме" (Memories of the requiem) instead of the erroneous "Воспоминания о реквием". Another error is confusing it with "песня" alone, which means just "song" without the mournful connotation—always specify the context to avoid dilution of meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, a "реквием" often evokes Orthodox Christian traditions, such as those seen in works by composers like Rachmaninoff. It carries deep emotional and historical weight, symbolizing collective grief during events like wars or revolutions, helping to foster a sense of national mourning and remembrance.

Related Concepts:

• Траур (Mourning)
• Поминки (Memorial service)
• Гимн (Hymn)