Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'forswear'

English Word: forswear

Key Russian Translations:

• отрекаться [ɐˈtrʲekətʲsə] - [Formal, used in legal or solemn contexts]
• поклясться отказаться [pɐˈklʲastʲsə ɐtˌkazatʲsə] - [Formal, often in oath-related scenarios]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation but appear in formal, legal, or literary contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding nuances of oaths and renunciation; for 'отрекаться', it's B2 due to verb conjugation, while 'поклясться отказаться' may lean towards C1 for its compound structure.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

отрекаться: [ɐˈtrʲekətʲsə]

поклясться отказаться: [pɐˈklʲastʲsə ɐtˌkazatʲsə]

Note on отрекаться: The stress falls on the second syllable; be mindful of the soft 'r' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to its rolled pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To renounce or give up under oath (primary meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• отрекаться - Used in formal contexts, such as legal renunciation or personal vows, where one swears to abandon something.
• поклясться отказаться - Applied in scenarios involving explicit oaths, like in court or ceremonial settings, emphasizing the act of swearing.

Usage Examples:

• Он отрекся от своих прежних убеждений во время судебного процесса.

  He forswore his former beliefs during the trial.

• В исторических текстах часто описывается, как лидеры поклялись отказаться от власти.

  In historical texts, it's often described how leaders forswore their power.

• Чтобы спасти репутацию, она отреклась от участия в скандале.

  To save her reputation, she forswore any involvement in the scandal.

• Под присягой он поклялся отказаться от всех притязаний на наследство.

  Under oath, he forswore all claims to the inheritance.

• В религиозных обрядах люди иногда отрекаются от мирских удовольствий.

  In religious ceremonies, people often forswear worldly pleasures.

To swear falsely or perjure oneself (secondary meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• отрекаться - In contexts of false denial, such as lying under oath, though less common.
• поклясться отказаться - Used when falsely committing to abandonment, e.g., in perjury cases.

Usage Examples:

• Обвиняемый отрекся от показаний, но это было признано ложью.

  The defendant forswore his testimony, but it was deemed a lie.

• Она поклялась отказаться от прав, но позже нарушила обещание.

  She forswore her rights but later broke the promise.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'отрекаться' (a verb of the first conjugation), it follows standard imperfective aspect patterns with irregularities in some forms. It is an imperfective verb, meaning it describes ongoing or repeated actions.

For 'поклясться отказаться', it is a compound phrase. 'Поклясться' is a perfective verb and conjugates as: поклянусь, поклянешься, etc. It does not inflect as a single unit but follows the rules of its components. Note: This phrase is invariant in most uses and doesn't change form drastically.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • отказаться (more general refusal, without the oath element)
  • отрицать (to deny, with a nuance of rejection)
• Antonyms:
  • принять (to accept, directly opposing renunciation)
  • подтвердить (to confirm, contrasting with denial)

Related Phrases:

• отрекаться от трона - To renounce the throne (used in historical or monarchical contexts, implying abdication).
• поклясться отказаться от прав - To swear to give up rights (common in legal documents or vows).
• отказаться под присягой - To refuse under oath (a formal phrase for forswearing in court).

Usage Notes:

'Отрекаться' is the most direct translation for 'forswear' in contexts of renunciation, but it's more formal and less common in casual speech. Use 'поклясться отказаться' when emphasizing the oath aspect, as in legal settings. English speakers should note that Russian verbs like these often require aspect consideration (imperfective for ongoing actions). Choose between translations based on context: 'отрекаться' for personal denial and 'поклясться отказаться' for sworn statements. Always pair with appropriate prepositions, like 'от' (from), to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'отрекаться' with 'отказаться': Learners might use 'отказаться' (to refuse) interchangeably, but it's less formal and lacks the oath connotation. Error: "Я отказался от клятвы" (incorrect for forswearing). Correct: "Я отрекся от клятвы." Explanation: 'Отрекаться' implies a sworn renunciation, while 'отказаться' is a simple refusal.

• Improper conjugation: Forgetting gender agreement in past tense, e.g., saying "она отрекался" instead of "она отрекалась." Error: "Она отрекался." Correct: "Она отрекалась." Explanation: Russian past tense verbs agree with the subject's gender.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'отрекаться' often evoke historical events, such as Tsar Nicholas II's abdication in 1917, symbolizing profound personal and national sacrifice. This word carries a weight of permanence and moral gravity, reflecting Russia's literary traditions in works by authors like Tolstoy, where renunciation themes explore themes of redemption and loss.

Related Concepts:

• клятва (oath)
• присяга (allegiance)
• отречение (renunciation)