Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'immolation'

English Word: immolation

Key Russian Translations:

• Жертвоприношение /ʒɨrtvəprʲɪnɐˈʂenʲje/ - [Formal, used in religious or historical contexts]
• Самосожжение /səmɐˈsoʐʐenʲje/ - [Formal, specific to self-immolation or sacrificial burning]

Frequency: Low (This word is rarely used in everyday conversation; it's more common in literary, historical, or religious texts.)

Difficulty: Advanced (C1-C2 level, as it involves understanding complex grammatical structures and formal vocabulary; for "Самосожжение," it may be slightly easier at B2 due to its more straightforward usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Жертвоприношение: /ʒɨrtvəprʲɪnɐˈʂenʲje/

Note on Жертвоприношение: The stress falls on the last syllable ("ʂenʲje"), which can be tricky for learners due to the soft consonants and vowel reductions in fast speech.

Самосожжение: /səmɐˈsoʐʐenʲje/

Note on Самосожжение: Pay attention to the double "ж" sound, which is a palatalized fricative; it may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The act of sacrificing something, often by fire, in a religious or ceremonial context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Жертвоприношение - Used in formal or historical discussions, such as ancient rituals or metaphors in literature.
• Самосожжение - Applied in contexts involving self-sacrifice, like historical events or symbolic acts.

Usage Examples:

• В древней Греции жертвоприношение было частью религиозных обрядов.

  In ancient Greece, immolation was part of religious ceremonies.

• Самосожжение героя в романе символизирует его преданность идеалам.

  The hero's self-immolation in the novel symbolizes his devotion to ideals.

• Во время фестиваля проводилось жертвоприношение животных для богов.

  During the festival, the immolation of animals was performed for the gods.

• Историки изучают случаи самосожжения как форму протеста.

  Historians study cases of self-immolation as a form of protest.

• Жертвоприношение в мифологии часто ассоциируется с очищением души.

  Immolation in mythology is often associated with the purification of the soul.

Meaning 2: Figurative use, referring to extreme self-sacrifice or destruction for a cause.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Самосожжение - Common in metaphorical or modern contexts, such as political activism.
• Жертвоприношение - Less common figuratively, but used in poetic or philosophical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Его самосожжение карьеры ради семьи тронуло всех вокруг.

  His immolation of his career for the sake of his family touched everyone around.

• Жертвоприношение личных интересов во имя общества — это акт героизма.

  Immolation of personal interests for the sake of society is an act of heroism.

• В политике самосожжение репутации часто приводит к изменениям.

  In politics, the immolation of one's reputation often leads to change.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Жертвоприношение" and "Самосожжение" are neuter nouns in Russian, following standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. They exhibit regular inflections based on case, number, and gender, with no irregularities.

Note: These nouns do not change in the plural for some cases if used in specific contexts, but the above is standard.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Жертва (sacrifice), Подвиг (feat, in heroic contexts), Сожжение (burning)
• Antonyms: Сохранение (preservation), Защита (protection) - These imply the opposite of destruction or sacrifice.

Explanation: "Жертва" is a more general synonym but lacks the fiery connotation, while "Подвиг" emphasizes heroic aspects in specific contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Жертвоприношение богов - A phrase referring to sacrifices to gods; used in mythological discussions.
• Самосожжение в протесте - Means "self-immolation in protest"; common in historical or social contexts.
• Ритуальное жертвоприношение - "Ritual immolation"; often denotes ceremonial practices in ancient cultures.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "Жертвоприношение" directly corresponds to the formal, religious sense of "immolation," while "Самосожжение" is better for self-inflicted acts. Use "Жертвоприношение" in literary or academic settings due to its formal tone; avoid it in casual speech. Grammatically, these nouns require the appropriate case based on sentence structure, e.g., in genitive for possession. When choosing between translations, opt for "Самосожжение" if the context involves personal agency, as it conveys a more active, voluntary sacrifice.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "Жертвоприношение" with "Жертва" and using it interchangeably. Correct: "Жертвоприношение" specifically implies a ritual act, while "Жертва" is broader. Example of error: Saying "Я сделал жертвоприношение" when meaning a simple sacrifice; Correct: "Я сделал жертву."

• Error: Mispronouncing the stress in "Самосожжение," placing it on the wrong syllable. Correct: Ensure stress on "soʐʐenʲje" to avoid sounding unnatural. Example of error: Pronouncing as /səˈmɐsoʐʐenʲje/; Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings in formal discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "Жертвоприношение" often evoke ancient Slavic or pagan rituals, such as those described in folklore or historical texts. For instance, it connects to pre-Christian practices where offerings were made to deities for fertility or protection, highlighting themes of self-denial and communal harmony in Russian literature and history.

Related Concepts:

• Жертва
• Подвиг
• Сожжение