Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'epilogue'

English Word: epilogue

Key Russian Translations:

• эпилог [ɛˈpʲɪləɡ] - [Formal, Literary, Used in literary or theatrical contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in literary, academic, or artistic discussions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with literary terms and basic Russian noun inflections, as per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

эпилог: [ɛˈpʲɪləɡ]

Note on эпилог: The stress is on the second syllable. The 'п' is pronounced as a soft 'p' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to Russian's palatalization. Variations may occur in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A concluding section of a book, play, or speech that provides closure or additional commentary.

Translation(s) & Context:

• эпилог - Used in formal literary contexts, such as in novels or theater, to wrap up the narrative. (English context: Similar to an epilogue in English literature.)

Usage Examples:

• В конце романа автор добавил эпилог, где объяснил судьбу героев.

  At the end of the novel, the author added an epilogue where he explained the fate of the characters.

• Эпилог пьесы был особенно трогательным, так как подводил итог всей истории.

  The epilogue of the play was particularly touching, as it summed up the entire story.

• В фильме эпилог показывает, как персонажи живут спустя годы после основных событий.

  In the film, the epilogue shows how the characters live years after the main events.

• Автор использовал эпилог для размышлений о темах книги.

  The author used the epilogue for reflections on the book's themes.

• Без эпилога история кажется неполной, как будто что-то упущено.

  Without an epilogue, the story feels incomplete, as if something is missing.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Эпилог" is a masculine noun in Russian, following the standard second declension pattern for foreign loanwords. It has regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table of its primary forms:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declensions are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • завершение (zaversheniye) - More general term for conclusion, often used in non-literary contexts.
  • финал (final) - Emphasizes the end, with a slight nuance towards dramatic closure.
• Antonyms:
  • пролог (prolog) - The introductory section, contrasting with the concluding nature of epilogue.

Related Phrases:

• эпилог истории (epilog istorii) - Meaning: The epilogue of the story; Used in narrative discussions to refer to concluding parts.
• добавить эпилог (dobavit' epilog) - Meaning: To add an epilogue; Common in writing or editing contexts.
• в эпилоге книги (v epiloge knigi) - Meaning: In the epilogue of the book; Refers to specific sections in literature.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "эпилог" directly corresponds to the English "epilogue" and is primarily used in formal, literary, or academic settings. Unlike in English, where "epilogue" can be metaphorical, Russian usage is more literal and tied to structured narratives. Be mindful of grammatical gender (masculine) and declensions when integrating it into sentences. If multiple translations exist, choose "эпилог" for precise literary contexts, but "завершение" for broader conclusions. It's not commonly used in casual speech, so limit it to written or educated discourse.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "эпилог" with "пролог" (prologue) due to similarity. Incorrect: "В начале книги есть эпилог." (Wrongly using epilogue for the start.) Correct: "В начале книги есть пролог." Explanation: "Эпилог" specifically means the end, so always place it in concluding contexts.

• Misdeclining the noun, e.g., using "эпилогa" in nominative case. Incorrect: "Эпилога был интересным." (Grammatical error.) Correct: "Эпилог был интересным." Explanation: Remember the nominative singular form and apply declensions based on sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature, the epilogue often serves as a reflective tool, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, where it provides moral or philosophical closure. This reflects Russia's rich tradition of introspective storytelling, emphasizing themes of fate and human experience, which can deepen a user's appreciation of Russian cultural narratives.

Related Concepts:

• пролог (prolog)
• эпизод (epizod)
• финал (final)