Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'genuflect'

English Word: genuflect

Key Russian Translations:

• преклонить колени [prʲɪkˈlonʲɪtʲ kɐˈlʲenʲɪ] - [Formal, Religious context]
• опуститься на колени [ɐˈpustʲɪt͡sə na kɐˈlʲenʲɪ] - [Informal, Everyday or dramatic contexts]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but appears in religious, literary, or formal settings.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2 on CEFR scale; requires understanding of verb conjugations and cultural contexts. For 'преклонить колени', it may be slightly more challenging due to its formal nature.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

преклонить колени: [prʲɪkˈlonʲɪtʲ kɐˈlʲenʲɪ]

опуститься на колени: [ɐˈpustʲɪt͡sə na kɐˈlʲenʲɪ]

Note on преклонить колени: The stress falls on the second syllable of 'преклонить' (pre-KLO-nʲɪtʲ), and the 'л' sound is palatalized. Be cautious with the soft sign (ь) which affects pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To bend the knee as an act of reverence or worship.

Translation(s) & Context:

• преклонить колени - Used in formal or religious contexts, such as in Orthodox ceremonies, to show deep respect or submission.
• опуститься на колени - Applied in informal situations, like emotional appeals or theater, but can overlap in religious settings.

Usage Examples:

• В церкви верующие преклонили колени перед иконой.

  In the church, the believers genuflected before the icon.

• Актер опустился на колени, прося прощения у публики.

  The actor knelt down, begging for forgiveness from the audience.

• Во время молитвы она преклонила колени, обращаясь к Богу.

  During prayer, she genuflected, addressing God.

• В историческом фильме герой опустился на колени перед королем.

  In the historical film, the hero genuflected before the king.

• Молодой человек преклонил колени, предлагая руку и сердце.

  The young man genuflected, proposing marriage.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'преклонить колени' consists of the verb 'преклонить' (to bend) and the noun 'колени' (knees). 'преклонить' is a perfective verb, while 'колени' is a plural noun in the accusative case.

For the verb 'преклонить': It follows the standard conjugation pattern for first-conjugation verbs. Here is a basic table:

For the noun 'колени' (knees): It is the plural form of 'колено' (knee), which is a neuter noun in the second declension. It does not change in the nominative plural but inflects as follows:

For 'опуститься': This is a reflexive verb (опуститься на колени), and it inflects similarly to other reflexive verbs, with the particle 'ся' attached.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • поклониться (poklonit'sya) - More general bowing, often with a slight difference in implying a full body bow rather than just the knees.
  • склониться (sklonit'sya) - To incline or bow, used in poetic or formal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • встать (vstat') - To stand up, directly opposing the action of kneeling.
  • выпрямиться (vypryamit'sya) - To straighten up, emphasizing posture correction.

Related Phrases:

• преклонить колени в молитве - To genuflect in prayer; used in religious rituals to show devotion.
• опуститься на колени перед кем-то - To kneel before someone; indicates submission or plea in interpersonal contexts.
• преклонение колен в церкви - Genuflection in church; a phrase referring to traditional Orthodox practices.

Usage Notes:

'Genuflect' corresponds most closely to 'преклонить колени' in formal or religious English-Russian translations, as it carries a sense of reverence not always present in 'опуститься на колени'. Use 'преклонить колени' in contexts involving spirituality or tradition, such as Russian Orthodox services, where it aligns with cultural norms. Be mindful of the reflexive nature in Russian verbs; always include particles like 'ся' where applicable. For learners, choose 'опуститься на колени' for everyday scenarios to avoid overly formal language. Grammar note: This often appears in perfective aspect for completed actions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'преклонить' without the object, e.g., saying "Он преклонил" instead of "Он преклонил колени". Correct: Always specify 'колени' for clarity. Explanation: In Russian, the verb needs the direct object to convey the full meaning, unlike English where 'genuflect' can stand alone.

• Error: Confusing with 'кланяться' (to bow), which is more about the head or upper body. Correct: Use 'преклонить колени' for knee-specific actions. Explanation: 'Кланяться' is broader and might not imply kneeling, leading to miscommunication in religious contexts.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., using singular 'колено' instead of plural 'колени'. Correct: 'преклонить колени' is standard for both knees. Explanation: Russian requires plural for body parts like knees in such phrases to match the physical action.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, particularly within the Orthodox Church, genuflection (преклонить колени) is a significant act of piety and respect, often performed during services or before icons. This practice has deep roots in Eastern Orthodox traditions, dating back to Byzantine influences, and symbolizes humility before the divine. It's less common in secular life but can appear in literature or films to evoke historical or spiritual themes.

Related Concepts:

• молитва (molitva) - Prayer
• поклон (poklon) - Bow or act of reverence
• икона (ikona) - Icon (religious image)