Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gaol'

English Word: gaol

Key Russian Translations:

• тюрьма /ˈtʲʉrʲmə/ - [Formal, used in standard contexts for a prison or jail facility]
• тюряга /ˈtʲʉrʲjəɡə/ - [Informal, slang, often used in everyday speech or literature for a more casual or derogatory reference to jail]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly encountered in discussions of law, crime, and society, but not as frequent as everyday vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp basic usage, but mastering inflections and contextual nuances may require practice. For 'тюряга', it might be B2 due to its slang nature.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

тюрьма: /ˈtʲʉrʲmə/ (The 'тʲ' is a palatalized 't' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like 'tyoo' in 'cute' but softer.)

тюряга: /ˈtʲʉrʲjəɡə/ (Similar to 'тюрьма', but with an additional 'j' glide, making it flow more quickly in informal speech.)

Note on тюрьма: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the palatalization, as mispronouncing it might make it sound like 'tourma'. For тюряга, the ending 'га' softens in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A place of confinement for individuals awaiting trial or serving a sentence, often implying a secure facility.

Translation(s) & Context:

• тюрьма - Used in formal, legal, or neutral contexts, such as official reports or news articles.
• тюряга - Applied in informal or colloquial settings, like conversations or fiction, to convey a more emotional or negative connotation.

Usage Examples:

• Он был заключён в тюрьму за кражу.

  He was imprisoned in jail for theft. (This example shows the word in a legal context, highlighting cause and effect.)

• Тюряга — не место для молодых людей.

  Jail isn't a place for young people. (Here, 'тюряга' is used informally to express a warning or opinion.)

• После побега из тюрьмы он скрылся в лесу.

  After escaping from jail, he hid in the forest. (Demonstrates the word in a narrative context with action verbs.)

• В этой стране тюрьмы переполнены.

  In this country, jails are overcrowded. (Illustrates use in a broader societal discussion.)

• Его друзья часто шутили о тюряге, но это было не смешно.

  His friends often joked about jail, but it wasn't funny. (Shows 'тюряга' in casual, conversational dialogue with emotional nuance.)

Meaning: An archaic or literary term for a prison, sometimes emphasizing historical or British English usage.

Translation(s) & Context:

• тюрьма - Preferred in translations of historical texts, maintaining a formal tone.

Usage Examples:

• В старых романах часто упоминается тюрьма как место наказания.

  In old novels, jail is often mentioned as a place of punishment. (This highlights historical or literary contexts.)

• Герой книги провёл годы в тюрьме за несправедливый приговор.

  The hero of the book spent years in jail for an unjust verdict. (Shows use in storytelling with emotional depth.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'тюрьма' is a feminine noun in the first declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflections for case, number, and gender. 'тюряга' is also feminine but less formal and may vary in slang usage without strict inflections.

For 'тюряга', inflections are irregular in slang and often follow 'тюрьма' patterns informally, e.g., genitive: тюряги. It does not always adhere to strict rules in casual speech.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • тюряга (more informal synonym, often with a slangy feel)
  • затвор (used in poetic or metaphorical contexts, implying seclusion)
  • каземат (historical or literary term for a dungeon-like prison)
• Antonyms:
  • свобода (freedom, contrasting the confinement aspect)
  • освобождение (release, emphasizing the opposite state)

Related Phrases:

• заключённый в тюрьме - Imprisoned or incarcerated individual (used in legal contexts to describe someone in jail).
• побег из тюрьмы - Escape from jail (a common phrase in crime stories or news).
• тюремный срок - Jail sentence (refers to a period of imprisonment).

Usage Notes:

'Gaol' is an archaic British English spelling of 'jail', so in Russian translations, 'тюрьма' is the most direct equivalent for formal use, while 'тюряга' adds a colloquial flavor. Choose 'тюряга' for informal conversations to sound more natural, but avoid it in official writing. Note the gender (feminine) and required case agreements in sentences, e.g., "в тюрьме" for locative contexts. English learners should pay attention to the palatalized sounds in pronunciation for authenticity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the nominative form 'тюрьма' in all cases, e.g., saying "из тюрьма" instead of "из тюрьмы". Correct: "из тюрьмы" (genitive). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; this mistake can make sentences grammatically incorrect.

• Error: Confusing 'тюрьма' with 'тюряга' in formal contexts, e.g., using 'тюряга' in a legal document. Correct: Stick to 'тюрьма' for formality. Explanation: 'тюряга' is slang and may sound inappropriate or unprofessional.

• Error: Mispronouncing the palatalized 'тʲ' as a hard 't', making it sound like 'toor-ma'. Correct Pronunciation: /ˈtʲʉrʲmə/. Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings, as it alters the word's identity in spoken Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'тюрьма' often evoke historical references to the Soviet gulag system or literary works by authors like Dostoevsky, who explored themes of imprisonment and redemption. It carries a connotation of social injustice, making it a symbol in discussions of human rights and reform.

Related Concepts:

• полиция (police)
• суд (court)
• заключённый (prisoner)