Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'enslave'

English Word: enslave

Key Russian Translations:

• порабощать [pə.rɐ.bɐˈʂʲatʲ] - [Formal, often used in historical or literary contexts]

Frequency: Low (This verb is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in historical, political, or literary discussions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugation and abstract concepts, per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

порабощать: [pə.rɐ.bɐˈʂʲatʲ]

Note on порабощать: The stress falls on the third syllable ("ʂʲatʲ"). Be mindful of the soft 'ш' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation may occur based on regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To make someone a slave or subject them to servitude

Translation(s) & Context:

• порабощать - Used in formal, historical, or metaphorical contexts to describe the act of enslaving or subjugating, such as in discussions of colonialism or oppression.

Usage Examples:

• Историки часто обсуждают, как колонизаторы старались порабощать местные народы для экономической выгоды.

  Historians often discuss how colonizers tried to enslave local peoples for economic gain.

• В романе автор описывает, как тирания порабощает дух народа, лишая его свободы.

  In the novel, the author describes how tyranny enslaves the spirit of the people, depriving them of freedom.

• Современные технологии иногда порабощают пользователей, заставляя их проводить часы в виртуальном мире.

  Modern technology sometimes enslaves users, forcing them to spend hours in the virtual world.

• Правительства должны бороться с системами, которые порабощают уязвимых индивидов через долги и эксплуатацию.

  Governments must fight against systems that enslave vulnerable individuals through debt and exploitation.

• В некоторых культурах мифы повествуют о героях, которые порабощают злых духов для защиты общества.

  In some cultures, myths tell of heroes who enslave evil spirits to protect society.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Порабощать is a verb of the first conjugation in Russian, which means it follows regular patterns but can have irregularities in certain forms. As an imperfective verb, it describes ongoing or repeated actions. Below is a basic conjugation table for the present tense:

Note: The perfective counterpart is "порабоить" (porabit'), which is used for completed actions. This verb does not have significant irregularities but requires attention to stem changes in past tenses.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • подчинять (podchinyat' - to subjugate; often used in military or authoritative contexts)
  • рабовладеть (rabovladet' - to enslave; more literal and less common)
  • обесчеловечивать (obeschelovechevovat' - to dehumanize; implies a moral aspect)
• Antonyms:
  • освобождать (osvobozhdat' - to liberate)
  • эмансипировать (emantsipirovat' - to emancipate; formal, often legal)

Related Phrases:

• Порабощение народа (Poraboshchenie naroda) - Enslavement of the people; often refers to historical oppression or colonization.
• Порабощать волю (Poraboshchat' volyu) - To enslave the will; means to dominate someone's free will, with a metaphorical connotation.
• Система порабощения (Sistema poraboshcheniya) - System of enslavement; used in discussions of systemic inequality or exploitation.

Usage Notes:

This translation corresponds closely to the English "enslave" in its literal and figurative senses, but in Russian, "порабощать" is more commonly used in formal, written, or historical contexts rather than casual speech. English learners should note that Russian verbs often require perfective/imperfective pairs; use "порабощать" for ongoing actions and "порабоить" for completed ones. Be cautious with context: in modern Russian, this word can carry strong negative connotations related to human rights, so it's best avoided in light-hearted conversations.

Common Errors:

• Confusing imperfective and perfective forms: Learners might incorrectly use "порабощать" where "порабоить" is needed for a completed action. For example, wrong: "Я порабощать врагов" (incorrect tense); Correct: "Я порабощу врагов" (future perfective). Explanation: Russian aspect system requires matching the verb form to the action's completion.
• Mispronouncing the stress: English speakers often stress the wrong syllable, saying [po·ra·BO·shchat] instead of [po·ra·bo·SHCHAT]. This can lead to misunderstandings. Practice with native audio to correct this.
• Overusing in informal settings: Beginners might use "порабощать" in everyday talk, which sounds overly dramatic. Explanation: Opt for simpler synonyms like "подчинять" in casual contexts to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, words like "порабощать" evoke memories of serfdom (крепостное право) in the 19th century or Soviet-era oppression. It often appears in literature, such as in Tolstoy's works, to highlight themes of freedom and tyranny, reflecting Russia's complex history with authoritarianism and social reform.

Related Concepts:

• Рабство (Rabstvo - Slavery)
• Тирания (Tiraniya - Tyranny)
• Освобождение (Osvobozhdenie - Liberation)