Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'funeral'

English Word: funeral

Key Russian Translations:

• похороны [pɐˈxɐrɨnɨ] - [Formal, Plural; Used in contexts involving burial ceremonies]
• погребение [pəɡrʲɪˈbʲenʲɪje] - [Formal; Used in more official or religious contexts, such as ecclesiastical rites]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions of death, culture, and news, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Involves understanding noun inflections and formal vocabulary; 'похороны' is straightforward, but 'погребение' may require more advanced grasp of nuances)

Pronunciation (Russian):

похороны: [pɐˈxɐrɨnɨ]

Note on похороны: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the 'х' sound, which is a guttural fricative similar to the Scottish 'ch' in 'loch'. Variations may occur in dialects.

погребение: [pəɡrʲɪˈbʲenʲɪje]

Note on погребение: The 'г' is pronounced as a voiced fricative; this word has a more flowing rhythm due to its multiple syllables.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The ceremony of burying or cremating a dead person, often with cultural or religious elements.

Translation(s) & Context:

• похороны - Used in general formal contexts for the entire funeral process, such as in obituaries or family discussions.
• погребение - Applied in more specific religious or legal contexts, like Orthodox Christian rites or official records.

Usage Examples:

• Во время похорон друзья и родственники собираются, чтобы почтить память усопшего.

  During the funeral, friends and relatives gather to honor the memory of the deceased.

• Государственные похороны проводятся для выдающихся личностей, таких как президенты.

  State funerals are held for prominent figures, such as presidents.

• Погребение в России часто включает православные обряды и поминальные речи.

  Burial in Russia often involves Orthodox rites and memorial speeches.

• Современные похороны могут быть простыми, без традиционных ритуалов, в зависимости от пожеланий семьи.

  Modern funerals can be simple, without traditional rituals, depending on the family's wishes.

• После погребения родственники устраивают поминки, чтобы помянуть покойного.

  After the burial, relatives hold a wake to remember the deceased.

Broader cultural or metaphorical usage (e.g., in literature or symbolic contexts).

Translation(s) & Context:

• похороны - Used metaphorically in literature to symbolize endings or loss.

Usage Examples:

• В поэзии похороны часто олицетворяют конец эры или личных отношений.

  In poetry, funerals often symbolize the end of an era or personal relationships.

• Политические похороны могут обозначать крах режима.

  Political funerals can denote the collapse of a regime.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'похороны' and 'погребение' are nouns. 'Похороны' is typically used in the plural form and follows the standard patterns of third-declension nouns in Russian. 'Погребение' is a neuter noun that inflects regularly across cases and numbers.

Note: 'Похороны' does not have a singular form in common usage, making it unchanging in number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • погребение (more formal, emphasizing the act of burial)
  • отпевание (specifically religious chanting during the ceremony; differs slightly by focusing on the service)
• Antonyms:
  • рождение (birth; represents the opposite life event)

Related Phrases:

• Гражданские похороны - Civil funeral; Refers to a non-religious ceremony.
• Похороны с военными почестями - Funeral with military honors; Used for veterans or soldiers.
• Поминальные похороны - Memorial funeral; Involves remembrance rituals.

Usage Notes:

The English word 'funeral' most directly corresponds to 'похороны' in everyday Russian, but 'погребение' is preferred in formal or ecclesiastical contexts. Be mindful of the plural nature of 'похороны', which doesn't have a singular equivalent. In spoken Russian, these terms are often used in serious or somber settings, so avoid casual usage. When choosing between translations, opt for 'похороны' for general purposes and 'погребение' for legal or religious discussions to ensure precision.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'похороны' in the singular form (e.g., *похорон*). Correct: Always use it in plural as 'похороны'. Explanation: Russian nouns like this are inherently plural and will sound incorrect otherwise.
• Mistake: Confusing 'погребение' with 'похороны' in casual speech (e.g., saying 'погребение' when a simple funeral is meant). Correct: Use 'похороны' for everyday contexts. Explanation: 'Погребение' implies a more formal or ritualistic process, which can make your speech overly stiff.
• Mistake: Incorrect inflection, such as *похоронами* in the wrong case (e.g., in nominative). Correct: Ensure proper case agreement, like 'на похоронах' for 'at the funeral'. Explanation: Russian requires case changes based on sentence structure, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, funerals like 'похороны' often incorporate Orthodox Christian traditions, such as the ringing of bells, memorial services (панихида), and feasts for the deceased. These events emphasize community and remembrance, reflecting Russia's historical ties to the Orthodox Church. Metaphorically, funerals can symbolize national mourning, as seen in state funerals for leaders like Lenin, highlighting themes of loss and legacy.

Related Concepts:

• кладбище (cemetery)
• траур (mourning)
• панихида (memorial service)