Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'exalt'

English Word: exalt

Key Russian Translations:

• Возвышать [vɐzˈvɨʂɐtʲ] - [Formal, used in contexts of elevation or raising status]
• Восхвалять [vɐsˈxvalʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, used for praising or glorifying]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, formal writing, and speeches, but less in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it requires understanding nuanced verb conjugations and context-specific usage; for Возвышать, it may be slightly more challenging due to irregular aspects, while Восхвалять is straightforward for intermediates)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Возвышать: [vɐzˈvɨʂɐtʲ]

Note on Возвышать: The 'щ' sound (as in [ʂ]) is a voiceless alveolo-palatal fricative, which can be tricky for English speakers—similar to the 'sh' in 'she' but softer and more palatalized. Stress falls on the second syllable.

Восхвалять: [vɐsˈxvalʲɪtʲ]

Note on Восхвалять: The 'х' sound (as in [x]) is a voiceless velar fricative, like the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch'. Stress is on the second syllable, and the final 'ть' is palatalized.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To raise in rank, status, or importance (e.g., elevating someone socially or spiritually)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Возвышать - Used in formal or literary contexts, such as describing promotions or spiritual elevation.

Usage Examples:

• Правитель возвысил талантливого художника до звания академика.

  The ruler exalted the talented artist to the rank of academician.

• В своей речи оратор возвысил идеалы свободы и равенства.

  In his speech, the orator exalted the ideals of freedom and equality.

• Эта церемония возвышает участников, делая их частью исторического наследия.

  This ceremony exalts participants, making them part of historical heritage.

• Родители всегда стараются возвышать своих детей через образование.

  Parents always try to exalt their children through education.

Meaning 2: To praise highly or glorify (e.g., in admiration or worship)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Восхвалять - Commonly used in rhetorical, religious, or artistic contexts for excessive praise.

Usage Examples:

• Поэты часто восхваляют природу в своих произведениях.

  Poets often exalt nature in their works.

• В церкви прихожане восхваляют бога во время службы.

  In church, congregants exalt God during the service.

• Критики восхваляют этот фильм как шедевр современного кино.

  Critics exalt this film as a masterpiece of modern cinema.

• Она восхваляет своих коллег на собраниях, чтобы мотивировать команду.

  She exalts her colleagues at meetings to motivate the team.

• Восхвалять героя войны — это традиция в русской культуре.

  Exalting war heroes is a tradition in Russian culture.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both Возвышать and Восхвалять are imperfective verbs in Russian, which means they describe ongoing or repeated actions. Russian verbs undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. Возвышать is an imperfective verb that can pair with its perfective counterpart (Возвысить), while Восхвалять pairs with Восхвалить.

For Возвышать (imperfective):

For Восхвалять (imperfective):

These verbs follow standard first-conjugation patterns but note the aspectual pairs for perfective forms (e.g., Возвысить for completed actions).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Увеличивать (to increase, with a focus on quantity), Повышать (to raise, more general elevation)
• Antonyms: Унижать (to humble or degrade), Отрицать (to deny or belittle)

Related Phrases:

• Возвышать до небес - To exalt to the skies (used for exaggerated praise, often hyperbolic in positive contexts; e.g., in reviews or speeches).
• Восхвалять заслуги - To exalt merits (refers to praising achievements, common in formal or professional settings).

Usage Notes:

'Exalt' most directly corresponds to Возвышать when referring to elevating status or importance, and to Восхвалять for praising or glorifying. In Russian, these verbs are typically used in formal contexts; avoid them in casual speech to prevent sounding overly literary. Pay attention to aspect: use imperfective forms like Возвышать for ongoing actions and perfective forms like Возвысить for completed ones. When choosing between translations, opt for Возвышать in social or hierarchical contexts and Восхвалять in emotional or worshipful ones.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the imperfective Возвышать where the perfective Возвысить is needed (e.g., saying "Я возвышаю его" for a completed action instead of "Я возвысил его"). Correct: The perfective indicates completion, so use Возвысить for finished elevation. Explanation: Russian aspect is crucial; mixing them can alter the meaning or make the sentence sound incomplete.

• Error: Confusing Восхвалять with simpler synonyms like Хвалить (to praise casually), leading to overuse in informal settings. Correct: Reserve Восхвалять for formal or emphatic praise; use Хвалить for everyday compliments. Explanation: This can make speech overly dramatic and unnatural for English learners adapting to Russian nuances.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, verbs like Возвышать and Восхвалять often appear in literature and historical contexts, such as in the works of Pushkin or in Soviet-era speeches, where they emphasize heroic ideals or national pride. This reflects a cultural value on collective elevation and glorification, which can differ from more individualistic expressions in English.

Related Concepts:

• Прославлять (to glorify)
• Восхищаться (to admire)
• Уважать (to respect)