Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'elope'

English Word: elope

Key Russian Translations:

• Сбежать /sbɛʐatʲ/ - [Informal, often used in romantic or secretive contexts]
• Тайно уйти /ˈtajnə ʊˈxitʲ/ - [Formal, emphasizing secrecy without marriage implication]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary or narrative contexts but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and contextual nuances)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Сбежать: /sbɛʐatʲ/ (Note the soft 'ж' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers)

Тайно уйти: /ˈtajnə ʊˈxitʲ/ (Stress on the first syllable of 'тайно'; the 'уйти' part follows standard verb pronunciation)

Note on Сбежать: This verb involves a palatalized 'ж' sound, which may vary slightly in rapid speech. For Тайно уйти, pay attention to the vowel reduction in unstressed syllables.

Audio: Play audio for Сбежать | Play audio for Тайно уйти (Audio files not included; use placeholders for actual links)

Meanings and Usage:

1. To run away secretly with one's lover, especially to get married without approval or in haste.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Сбежать - Typically used in informal, emotional narratives, such as stories of young lovers defying families.
• Тайно уйти - Applied in more formal or legal contexts, like historical accounts, without the marriage focus.

Usage Examples:

• Они сбежали из дома, чтобы пожениться в маленькой церкви.

  They eloped from home to get married in a small church.

• Молодая пара тайно ушла в соседний город, избегая родительского вмешательства.

  The young couple secretly left for a neighboring town, avoiding parental interference.

• В романе героиня решила сбежать с возлюбленным, несмотря на все препятствия.

  In the novel, the heroine decided to elope with her lover despite all obstacles.

• Чтобы избежать скандала, они тайно ушли и зарегистрировали брак за границей.

  To avoid a scandal, they secretly left and registered their marriage abroad.

• Под влиянием романтических фильмов, подростки иногда мечтают сбежать и начать новую жизнь.

  Influenced by romantic films, teenagers sometimes dream of eloping and starting a new life.

2. To escape or flee suddenly, in a non-romantic context (less common direct translation).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Сбежать - Can extend to metaphorical fleeing, e.g., from problems, but less precise for 'elope'.

Usage Examples:

• Из тюрьмы ему удалось сбежать под покровом ночи.

  He managed to elope (escape) from prison under the cover of night. (Note: This usage is metaphorical and not the primary meaning.)

• Она сбежала от рутины городской жизни в тихую деревню.

  She eloped (fled) from the routine of city life to a quiet village.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs, and Russian verbs follow conjugation patterns based on aspect (perfective/imperfective). 'Сбежать' is a perfective verb (indicating completion), while related imperfective forms may be used for ongoing actions.

Note: These verbs do not change for gender in the infinitive but inflect in past tense. They are irregular in some aspects due to aspectual pairs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Побежать (to run away; more literal, less romantic)
  • Скрыться (to hide or disappear; implies evasion)
  • Улизнуть (to slip away; informal, playful connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • Вернуться (to return)
  • Оставаться (to stay)

Explanation: 'Побежать' is a close synonym but lacks the secretive element, while 'Вернуться' directly opposes the idea of fleeing.

Related Phrases:

• Сбежать с возлюбленным - To elope with one's lover; used in romantic contexts to mean running away together for marriage.
• Тайно уйти из-под родительского контроля - To secretly leave from under parental control; emphasizes independence in youth scenarios.
• Сбежать в загранку - To elope abroad; a colloquial phrase for escaping to another country for a fresh start or marriage.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'Сбежать' directly corresponds to 'elope' in romantic contexts but can also mean general escape, so context is key to avoid mistranslation. Use 'Тайно уйти' for more formal or non-marital secrecy. Be mindful of aspect: perfective verbs like these indicate completed actions. For English learners, choose 'Сбежать' in narrative writing but verify the emotional tone, as it often carries a sense of adventure or rebellion.

• Grammar tip: Always conjugate based on subject gender in the past tense.
• Context guidance: In formal writing, prefer phrases over single verbs for precision.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'Сбежать' interchangeably with 'убежать' (to run away physically), leading to literal rather than romantic interpretations. Correct: Сбежать (romantic elopement) vs. Убежать (simple escape). Example: Incorrect: "Они убежали, чтобы пожениться" (implies physical running); Correct: "Они сбежали, чтобы пожениться".
• Error: Neglecting verb aspect, e.g., using 'Сбежать' for ongoing actions. Correct: Use the imperfective 'сбегать' for repeated elopements. Example: Incorrect: "Я сбегал каждый день" (implies a single event); Correct: "Я сбегал каждый день" should be "Я сбегал" in perfective, but pair with imperfective for habits.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, elopement (e.g., 'сбежать') often appears in literature and folklore as a symbol of youthful rebellion against societal norms, such as in stories by Pushkin. It reflects historical constraints on marriage, where family approval was crucial, adding a layer of romance and defiance to the word.

Related Concepts:

• Брак (marriage)
• Любовь (love)
• Бегство (escape or flight)