Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'exile'

English Word: exile

Key Russian Translations:

• изгнание /ɪzˈɡna.nʲe/ - [Formal, Literary]
• ссылка /ˈsslɨkə/ - [Historical, Formal]
• высылка /vɨˈɨslʲkə/ - [Legal, Modern Usage]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are commonly encountered in literature, historical texts, and discussions of politics, but less so in everyday casual conversation.

Difficulty: B2 - Intermediate level, as it requires understanding nuanced historical and cultural contexts; for 'ссылка', it may lean towards B2-C1 due to its specific connotations in Russian history.

Pronunciation (Russian):

изгнание: /ɪzˈɡna.nʲe/

ссылка: /ˈsslɨkə/

высылка: /vɨˈɨslʲkə/

Note on изгнание: The stress is on the second syllable; be mindful of the palatalized 'нʲ' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The state of being forced to live away from one's native country, often as a form of punishment.

Translation(s) & Context:

• изгнание - Used in literary or formal contexts to describe voluntary or involuntary banishment, often with emotional or philosophical undertones.
• ссылка - Typically refers to historical forced exile, such as in tsarist Russia, and is common in discussions of political repression.

Usage Examples:

• После революции многие интеллектуалы были отправлены в изгнание за границу.

  After the revolution, many intellectuals were sent into exile abroad.

• Его ссылка в Сибирь длилась десять лет и стала источником вдохновения для его произведений.

  His exile to Siberia lasted ten years and became a source of inspiration for his works.

• Изгнание из родного города заставило его переосмыслить свою жизнь.

  Exile from his hometown forced him to rethink his life.

• В период ссылки он написал несколько известных эссе о свободе.

  During his period of exile, he wrote several famous essays on freedom.

Meaning 2: The act of expelling someone from a place or group.

Translation(s) & Context:

• высылка - Used in modern legal or administrative contexts, such as deportation or expulsion from a country.
• изгнание - Applied metaphorically in social or religious contexts, e.g., expulsion from a community.

Usage Examples:

• Правительство объявило о высылке иностранных агентов из страны.

  The government announced the exile (deportation) of foreign agents from the country.

• Её изгнание из партии было вызвано разногласиями по идеологическим вопросам.

  Her exile from the party was due to ideological disagreements.

• Высылка диссидентов в далёкие регионы была распространённой практикой в прошлом.

  The exile of dissidents to remote regions was a common practice in the past.

• Изгнание из семьи из-за скандала шокировало всю общину.

  The exile from the family due to the scandal shocked the entire community.

• После высылки он начал новую жизнь в эмиграции.

  After his exile, he started a new life in emigration.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily nouns, which in Russian undergo declension based on case, number, and gender. 'Изгнание' is a neuter noun, while 'ссылка' and 'высылка' are feminine nouns. They follow standard Russian noun patterns with some irregularities.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms but must agree with adjectives and verbs in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • изгой (izgoy) - Outcast; often implies social exclusion rather than formal exile.
  • эмиграция (emigratsiya) - Emigration; used for voluntary or forced relocation abroad.
  • депортация (deportatsiya) - Deportation; more legalistic synonym for высылка.
• Antonyms:
  • возвращение (vozvrashcheniye) - Return.
  • прибытие (pribytiye) - Arrival.

Related Phrases:

• Внутренняя ссылка (vnutrennyaya ssylka) - Internal exile; refers to banishment within one's own country, common in Soviet history.
• Политическое изгнание (politicheskoye izgnaniye) - Political exile; used for individuals forced out due to political reasons, with a connotation of resistance.
• Добровольное изгнание (dobrovolnoye izgnaniye) - Voluntary exile; implies self-imposed banishment for personal reasons.

Usage Notes:

'Exile' in English often corresponds to 'изгнание' in Russian for abstract or literary uses, but 'ссылка' is preferred in historical contexts like the Russian Empire or Soviet era. Be cautious with 'высылка', which is more formal and legal, akin to deportation. In everyday Russian, these terms are rare; opt for them in written or academic discussions. When choosing between translations, consider the context: 'ссылка' carries strong cultural weight due to Russia's history of Siberian exiles, while 'изгнание' is more neutral and versatile.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'ссылка' with 'эмиграция': Learners might use 'эмиграция' for forced exile, but it's more for voluntary migration. Correct usage: Say "Он был в ссылке" (He was in exile) instead of "Он эмигрировал" (He emigrated).
• Misapplying cases: For example, using nominative in all contexts, like saying "изгнание в" instead of the correct genitive or prepositional form. Error: "Я думаю о изгнание" (incorrect). Correct: "Я думаю об изгнании" (I think about exile).
• Overgeneralizing 'высылка': It's not interchangeable with 'изгнание'; the former implies official action. Error: Using 'высылка' for personal banishment. Correct: "Его изгнание из группы" (His exile from the group) rather than "Его высылка из группы".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'ссылка' evoke the history of tsarist and Soviet-era exiles, such as those to Siberia, which were used to punish dissidents like Dostoevsky. This carries a deep sense of resilience and tragedy, often romanticized in literature, helping to understand Russia's complex relationship with authority and freedom.

Related Concepts:

• диссидент (dissident)
• эмигрант (emigrant)
• репрессия (repression)
• ссыльный (exiled person)