Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'entomb'

English Word: entomb

Key Russian Translations:

• похоронить [pɐxɐˈronʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, used in contexts involving burial or funerals]
• захоронить [zɐxɐˈronʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, often implying burial in a specific or sacred location, such as a tomb]

Frequency: Medium (The verb is commonly used in literary, historical, or formal discussions but less so in everyday casual speech.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding verb conjugations and formal contexts; for 'похоронить', the difficulty is similar, while 'захоронить' may vary slightly based on regional usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

похоронить: [pɐxɐˈronʲɪtʲ]

захоронить: [zɐxɐˈronʲɪtʲ]

Note on похоронить: The stress falls on the third syllable ('ro-'), and the 'х' is a voiceless velar fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; a common variant in spoken Russian might soften the pronunciation in faster speech.

Note on захоронить: Similar to похоронить, but the initial 'з' can sometimes be devoiced in rapid speech, sounding closer to 'с' in informal contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To bury a body in a tomb or grave

Translation(s) & Context:

• похоронить - Used in formal or ceremonial contexts, such as funerals or historical narratives, to describe the act of burial with respect.
• захоронить - Applied in more specific scenarios, like burying in a tomb or sacred site, often in literary or official language.

Usage Examples:

• Они похоронили его в древнем склепе, где покоятся предки.

  They entombed him in an ancient vault where his ancestors rest. (This example shows the verb in a historical or familial context.)

• Во время войны солдаты были захоронены с военными почестями.

  During the war, the soldiers were entombed with military honors. (Illustrates use in a formal, wartime setting with added ceremonial elements.)

• Семья решила похоронить усопшего в семейном мавзолее.

  The family decided to entomb the deceased in the family mausoleum. (Demonstrates a personal, decision-making context with possessive structures.)

• Правительство захоронило останки в специальном мемориале.

  The government entombed the remains in a special memorial. (Shows use in an official or public context.)

• В романе автор описывает, как героя похоронили в заброшенном подземелье.

  In the novel, the author describes how the hero was entombed in an abandoned underground chamber. (Highlights literary usage with narrative tense variations.)

To imprison or confine metaphorically

Translation(s) & Context:

• захоронить (figuratively) - Used in metaphorical senses, such as confining ideas or emotions, in poetic or abstract contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Его воспоминания были захоронены глубоко в подсознании.

  His memories were entombed deep in his subconscious. (This shows a metaphorical use in psychological contexts.)

• Тайна была похоронена в архивах, чтобы никто не узнал правду.

  The secret was entombed in the archives so no one would discover the truth. (Illustrates figurative confinement in a historical or secretive setting.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'похоронить' and 'захоронить' are perfective verbs in Russian, belonging to the first conjugation group. They undergo regular conjugations based on tense, aspect, and person. Russian verbs like these are inflected for person, number, tense, and mood. Below is a table outlining key inflections for 'похоронить' (similar patterns apply to 'захоронить'):

Note: These verbs are perfective, so they are often used for completed actions. For 'захоронить', the inflections follow the same pattern but may vary slightly in reflexive forms if used in passive contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • загробить (less formal, implies burial in a grave)
  • похоронить (exact synonym, but more common in everyday use)
  • Note: 'загробить' is slightly more colloquial and may carry a tone of informality, while 'похоронить' is preferred in formal writing.
• Antonyms:
  • извлечь (to extract or remove)
  • вскрыть (to unearth or open)

Related Phrases:

• похоронить с почестями - To entomb with honors (Used in military or ceremonial contexts to denote a respectful burial.)
• захоронить в мавзолее - To entomb in a mausoleum (Refers to burial in a grand or historical structure.)
• похоронить тайно - To entomb secretly (Implies a hidden or clandestine burial, often in stories or mysteries.)

Usage Notes:

The English word 'entomb' corresponds most closely to 'похоронить' in formal Russian contexts, especially when referring to burial in a tomb, but 'захоронить' is preferred for more specific or sacred burials. Be mindful of the perfective aspect in Russian, which emphasizes completion—use these verbs for finished actions rather than ongoing ones. In everyday speech, simpler alternatives like 'похоронить' are common, but in literary or official settings, choose based on nuance. English learners should note that Russian verbs conjugate fully, so context (e.g., person and tense) dictates the form.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the imperfective form 'хоронить' when a completed action is intended, e.g., saying "Я хоронил" instead of "Я похоронил" for "I entombed."
  Correct: "Я похоронил его" (I entombed him). Explanation: 'Хоронить' implies an ongoing process, while 'похоронить' is for a finished event, aligning better with 'entomb'.
• Mistake: Confusing 'похоронить' and 'захоронить' interchangeably without context, leading to awkward phrasing.
  Correct: Use 'захоронить' for tomb-specific burials. Explanation: This can make the sentence sound unnatural; always consider the setting to avoid redundancy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, burial practices like those described by 'похоронить' or 'захоронить' often carry deep Orthodox Christian traditions, such as funerals with icons and memorials. These words evoke themes of remembrance, as seen in historical events like the entombment of Soviet leaders in the Kremlin Wall Necropolis, symbolizing national heritage and loss.

Related Concepts:

• гроб (coffin)
• кладбище (cemetery)
• мавзолей (mausoleum)