Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'impenitent'

English Word: impenitent

Key Russian Translations:

• непокаянный [nʲɪ.pɐˈka.jɪn.nɨj] - [Formal; often used in religious or literary contexts]
• нераскаявшийся [nʲɪ.rɐ.skɐˈja.vʂɨj] - [Formal; interchangeable but slightly more emphatic in moral discussions]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation; it's more prevalent in religious, literary, or philosophical texts.)

Difficulty: Advanced (C1; Suitable for learners at an advanced level due to its specialized vocabulary and infrequent use in modern spoken Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

непокаянный: [nʲɪ.pɐˈka.jɪn.nɨj]

нераскаявшийся: [nʲɪ.rɐ.skɐˈja.vʂɨj]

Note on непокаянный: The stress falls on the third syllable ('ka'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'n' sound. Pronounce it with a soft, flowing rhythm to mimic native speech.

Note on нераскаявшийся: This word has a rolling 'r' and a soft 'sh' in 'vsh', which may require practice; it's often softened in casual speech but remains clear in formal settings.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Not feeling or showing remorse for sins, wrongdoing, or faults; unrepentant.

Translation(s) & Context:

• непокаянный - Used in religious or ethical contexts, such as describing someone who refuses to repent in Christian literature.
• нераскаявшийся - Applied in similar contexts but often in more narrative or psychological discussions, emphasizing persistence in error.

Usage Examples:

• Он остался непокаянным грешником, несмотря на все предупреждения.

  He remained an impenitent sinner, despite all the warnings.

• В романе герой изображён как нераскаявшийся преступник, который не жалеет о своих поступках.

  In the novel, the hero is depicted as an impenitent criminal who does not regret his actions.

• Её непокаянный взгляд говорил о том, что она не намерена извиняться.

  Her impenitent gaze indicated that she had no intention of apologizing.

• Нераскаявшийся политик продолжал отрицать свою вину, даже перед судом.

  The impenitent politician continued to deny his guilt, even in court.

• В этой притче непокаянный человек в конце концов сталкивается с последствиями своих действий.

  In this parable, the impenitent person eventually faces the consequences of their actions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "непокаянный" and "нераскаявшийся" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow standard patterns for agreement with nouns. Below is a table outlining the inflections for "непокаянный" as an example; "нераскаявшийся" follows similar rules.

For "нераскаявшийся", the inflections are identical in pattern but may vary slightly in spelling due to its structure. These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them predictable once the base is learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • нераскаявшийся (very similar, but implies a more active refusal)
  • упорный (persistent, in the context of stubbornness without remorse)
• Antonyms:
  • кающийся (repentant; used when someone shows regret)
  • покаянный (penitent; directly opposite in religious contexts)

Related Phrases:

• непокаянный грешник - A common phrase meaning "impenitent sinner"; used in moral or religious storytelling to describe someone unyielding in their faults.
• нераскаявшийся в ошибках - Meaning "unrepentant in mistakes"; often in educational or self-improvement contexts to discuss personal growth.
• путь непокаянного - Translates to "the path of the impenitent"; a metaphorical phrase in literature for a life without redemption.

Usage Notes:

These translations are best used in formal, literary, or religious contexts, as "impenitent" carries a connotation of moral or spiritual stubbornness that aligns with Russian Orthodox traditions. Choose "непокаянный" for a more neutral, descriptive tone, and "нераскаявшийся" when emphasizing emotional resistance. Be mindful of adjective agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case. In everyday Russian, simpler synonyms like "упорный" might be preferred to avoid overly formal language.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the adjective without proper inflection, e.g., saying "непокаянный женщина" instead of "непокаянная женщина".

  Correct: Ensure agreement, as in "непокаянная женщина" (impenitent woman). Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, so this is a common oversight for English speakers who don't inflect adjectives.

• Error: Confusing with similar words like "покаянный", leading to "Он был покаянный" when meaning impenitent.

  Correct: Use "непокаянный" as in "Он был непокаянный". Explanation: "Покаянный" means repentant, the opposite, so context is key to avoid semantic errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, especially within the Orthodox Christian tradition, words like "непокаянный" evoke themes of sin, redemption, and judgment, often seen in literature by authors like Dostoevsky. They highlight the cultural emphasis on confession and moral reflection, which may not directly translate to English-speaking contexts where such terms are less common outside religious settings.

Related Concepts:

• грех (sin)
• покаяние (repentance)
• духовный (spiritual)