Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'exonerate'

English Word: exonerate

Key Russian Translations:

• оправдать [ɐprɐfˈdatʲ] - [Formal, Legal context]
• освободить от обвинения [ɐsvɐˈbɔdʲɪtʲ ɐt ɐbʲvʲɪˈnʲenʲɪjə] - [Formal, More descriptive phrase, Used in detailed explanations]

Frequency: Medium (Common in legal, journalistic, and formal contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves legal terminology; learners at this level should grasp basic conjugations, but nuances require contextual understanding. For 'оправдать', it's B2; for 'освободить от обвинения', it's also B2 due to its phrasal nature.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

оправдать: [ɐprɐfˈdatʲ]

освободить от обвинения: [ɐsvɐˈbɔdʲɪtʲ ɐt ɐbʲvʲɪˈnʲenʲɪjə]

Note on оправдать: The stress is on the second syllable ('datʲ'), and the 'ф' sound is pronounced as a soft 'f'. Be cautious with the palatalized 'д' in fast speech.

Note on освободить от обвинения: This is a multi-word phrase; pronounce it fluidly, with emphasis on 'бɔdʲɪtʲ'. Regional variations may soften vowels in informal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To clear someone from blame or accusation, often in a legal or formal context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• оправдать - Used in courtrooms or official declarations to indicate acquittal; common in formal legal English-to-Russian translation.
• освободить от обвинения - Applied in broader contexts like investigations or public statements, emphasizing release from charges.

Usage Examples:

• Суд оправдал подсудимого после представления новых доказательств.

  The court exonerated the defendant after presenting new evidence.

• Адвокат смог оправдать клиента, доказав его невиновность.

  The lawyer managed to exonerate his client by proving his innocence.

• Власти решили освободить от обвинения протестующих, признав ошибки в расследовании.

  The authorities decided to exonerate the protesters, acknowledging errors in the investigation.

• Чтобы оправдать себя, он предоставил алиби и свидетелей.

  To exonerate himself, he provided an alibi and witnesses.

• Комиссия освободила от обвинения чиновника, но с условием дальнейшего мониторинга.

  The commission exonerated the official but with the condition of ongoing monitoring.

Meaning 2: To free someone from responsibility or obligation in a non-legal context (e.g., moral or professional).

Translation(s) & Context:

• оправдать - Less common here, but used metaphorically, such as in ethical discussions.
• освободить от обвинения - Preferred for non-legal exoneration, like in workplace scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Руководство оправдало сотрудника, объяснив, что ошибка была неизбежной.

  Management exonerated the employee, explaining that the mistake was unavoidable.

• Она освободила от обвинения друга, сказав, что он не был в курсе ситуации.

  She exonerated her friend by saying he was unaware of the situation.

• В отчёте эксперты оправдали действия команды, несмотря на неудачу.

  In the report, experts exonerated the team's actions despite the failure.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs, so they follow Russian verb conjugation patterns. 'Оправдать' is a perfective verb (from оправдать), while 'освободить' is also perfective. Russian verbs change based on tense, aspect, person, and number. Below is a table for 'оправдать' as an example; 'освободить' follows similar patterns but with its own root changes.

For 'освободить': It is irregular in some aspects due to prefixation. Past tense: освободил (masc.), освободила (fem.). It does not change in infinitive form but conjugates similarly. Both verbs are invariable in terms of gender in the infinitive.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • реабилитировать [rʲɪɐbʲɪlʲɪˈtʲirəvɐtʲ] - More emphasis on restoring reputation; used in post-trial contexts.
  • обелить [ɐbʲɪˈlʲitʲ] - Literal "to whiten," implying clearing of stains; informal and metaphorical.
• Antonyms:
  • обвинить [ɐbʲvʲɪˈnʲitʲ] - To accuse or charge someone.
  • осудить [ɐsʊˈdʲitʲ] - To condemn or find guilty.

Related Phrases:

• оправдать себя - To exonerate oneself; used in self-defense scenarios.
• освободить от ответственности - To exonerate from responsibility; common in professional or ethical contexts.
• полностью оправдать действия - To fully exonerate actions; emphasizes total clearance.

Usage Notes:

'Оправдать' is the most direct translation for 'exonerate' in legal contexts, aligning closely with English usage in trials. However, 'освободить от обвинения' is preferred for broader or non-judicial exoneration to capture nuances. Always consider the formality: 'оправдать' is formal and avoids slang. In Russian, verb aspect is key—use perfective for completed actions. When choosing between translations, opt for 'оправдать' in concise legal writing and 'освободить от обвинения' for detailed explanations. Grammatically, ensure subject-verb agreement in conjugations.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing 'оправдать' with 'обвинить' due to similar roots. Incorrect: "Я оправдал его в вине" (wrongly implying guilt). Correct: "Я оправдал его в невиновности" – This mixes meanings; better: "Я оправдал его" (I exonerated him). Explanation: 'Оправдать' means to prove innocence, not guilt, so avoid pairing it with guilt-related words.
• Mistake: Overusing in informal speech. Incorrect: Using 'оправдать' in casual conversations. Correct: Stick to formal contexts; for everyday, say "доказать невиновность." Explanation: Learners often apply legal terms inappropriately, leading to stiffness.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and legal systems, 'оправдать' carries significant weight due to the historical context of Soviet-era trials, where acquittals were rare. It often implies not just legal clearance but moral vindication, reflecting Russia's emphasis on collective responsibility in society.

Related Concepts:

• вина [vʲinə] - Guilt
• невиновность [nʲɪvʲinɐvnsʲtʲ] - Innocence
• суд [sut] - Court or trial