Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'imprecate'

English Word: imprecate

Key Russian Translations:

• проклинать [prɐˈklʲinətʲ] - [Formal, Literary]
• клясть [ˈklʲastʲ] - [Informal, Emotional]
• ругать [rʊˈɡatʲ] - [Informal, Everyday Speech; used when emphasizing verbal abuse]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but may appear in literature, religious contexts, or dramatic expressions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and nuanced emotional language. For 'проклинать', it may be more challenging due to its formal tone, while 'ругать' is easier at A2 level.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

проклинать: [prɐˈklʲinətʲ]

клясть: [ˈklʲastʲ]

ругать: [rʊˈɡatʲ]

Note on проклинать: The stress is on the second syllable, and the 'лʲ' sound (palatalized L) can be tricky for English speakers; it sounds like a soft 'l' as in 'million'. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: To curse or invoke evil upon someone (e.g., in anger or ritual)

Translation(s) & Context:

• проклинать - Used in formal or literary contexts, such as historical texts or curses in folklore, to express a solemn invocation of harm.
• клясть - Applied in emotional, interpersonal conflicts, like swearing in arguments, often with strong personal intent.
• ругать - More general for verbal scolding, but can imply cursing in casual disputes.

Usage Examples:

• Он проклинал своих врагов в гневе. (He imprecated his enemies in anger.)

  Translation: He cursed his enemies in anger. (This example shows 'проклинать' in a formal, emotional context with a direct object.)

• Она кляла судьбу за все неудачи. (She imprecated fate for all the misfortunes.)

  Translation: She cursed fate for all the misfortunes. (Here, 'клясть' is used in a personal, reflective scenario, highlighting frustration.)

• В деревне старик ругал погоду, как будто это поможет. (In the village, the old man imprecated the weather as if it would help.)

  Translation: In the village, the old man cursed the weather as if it would help. (This demonstrates 'ругать' in everyday, humorous or futile situations.)

• Дети проклинали дождь, который испортил их пикник. (The children imprecated the rain that ruined their picnic.)

  Translation: The children cursed the rain that ruined their picnic. (Example varies the structure, showing 'проклинать' with plural subjects.)

• Он клялся и ругался, но ничего не изменилось. (He imprecated and swore, but nothing changed.)

  Translation: He cursed and swore, but nothing changed. (This combines translations to illustrate interchangeable use in intense scenarios.)

Secondary Meaning: To swear or use profane language (less formal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ругать - Common in informal settings, like arguments or casual venting, without the ritualistic connotation.
• клясть - Sometimes used interchangeably, but with more emotional weight in spoken language.

Usage Examples:

• В споре они начали ругать друг друга. (In the argument, they started to imprecate each other.)

  Translation: In the argument, they started to curse each other. (Shows 'ругать' in a conversational dispute.)

• Она кляла машину, которая сломалась на дороге. (She imprecated the car that broke down on the road.)

  Translation: She cursed the car that broke down on the road. (Illustrates 'клясть' in everyday frustration.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are verbs, which follow Russian conjugation patterns. 'Проклинать' and 'клясть' are imperfective verbs, while 'ругать' is also imperfective but more common. Russian verbs change based on tense, aspect, person, and number. Below is a table for 'проклинать' as an example:

For 'клясть' and 'ругать', similar conjugations apply, but they are more irregular in certain forms. These verbs do not change for gender in the past tense but adjust for number and person as shown.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • проклинать - проклясть (more perfective form, implying completion)
  • клясть - брань (as a noun for swearing)
  • ругать - браниться (to quarrel verbally; less intense)
• Antonyms:
  • благословлять (to bless)
  • похвалить (to praise)

Related Phrases:

• Проклинать судьбу - To curse one's fate (Used in expressions of despair or resignation.)
• Клясть на чём свет стоит - To swear at the top of one's lungs (An idiomatic phrase for intense cursing in anger.)
• Ругать почём зря - To scold without restraint (Common in casual contexts for verbal outbursts.)

Usage Notes:

• While 'imprecate' is a formal English word, its Russian equivalents like 'проклинать' are often reserved for literary or dramatic contexts, whereas 'ругать' is more everyday. Choose based on formality: use 'проклинать' for ritualistic cursing and 'клясть' for emotional outbursts.
• In Russian, these verbs are aspect-sensitive; pair with perfective forms (e.g., проклясть) for completed actions.
• Be cautious with cultural nuances: cursing is more taboo in formal Russian settings than in English slang.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'проклинать' with 'похвалить' (to praise) due to similar sounds. Incorrect: Он проклинал друга (meant to say praised). Correct: Он хвалил друга. Explanation: Pay attention to prefixes; 'про-' implies cursing, while 'по-' can mean praise.
• Error: Overusing 'ругать' in formal writing. Incorrect: В официальном письме: Я ругаю начальство. Correct: Я выражаю недовольство начальством. Explanation: 'Ругать' is too informal; opt for neutral phrases in professional contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, cursing like 'проклинать' often ties to folklore and superstition, such as in fairy tales where characters invoke curses. This reflects historical influences from Orthodox Christianity and pagan traditions, where words were believed to have magical power. Avoid using these in sensitive social situations, as they can carry strong emotional or superstitious weight.

Related Concepts:

• заклинать (to enchant or invoke)
• браниться (to quarrel verbally)
• проклятие (curse as a noun)