Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'imprisonment'

English Word: imprisonment

Key Russian Translations:

• заключение /zəkˈlʲut͡ɕɪnʲe/ - [Formal, Legal]
• тюремное заключение /ˈtʲurʲɪmnəje zəkˈlʲut͡ɕɪnʲe/ - [Formal, Legal, Specific to prison contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in legal, news, and formal discussions, but less frequent in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves understanding legal terminology and noun declensions, which may vary slightly between translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

заключение: /zəkˈlʲut͡ɕɪnʲe/ (The stress is on the third syllable; the 'л' is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian nouns.)

Note on заключение: Pay attention to the soft 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers; it sounds like a 'l' followed by a 'y'. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel length.

тюремное заключение: /ˈtʲurʲɪmnəje zəkˈlʲut͡ɕɪnʲe/ (Stress on the first syllable of 'тюремное'; the 'тʲ' is palatalized, making it softer.)

Note on тюремное заключение: This compound phrase maintains the pronunciation rules of its components; the adjective 'тюремное' agrees in case and gender with the noun.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The state of being confined or incarcerated, often as a legal punishment.

Translation(s) & Context:

• заключение - Used in formal legal contexts to refer to the general act or state of imprisonment, such as in court proceedings or discussions of human rights.
• тюремное заключение - Applied specifically to prison-based imprisonment, emphasizing the location and duration, common in criminal justice contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он отбывает заключение за экономические преступления. (He is serving imprisonment for economic crimes.)

  Translation: He is serving imprisonment for economic crimes. (This example shows the noun in a present context, highlighting ongoing punishment.)

• Правительство ввело строгие меры, включая тюремное заключение для нарушителей. (The government introduced strict measures, including imprisonment for violators.)

  Translation: The government introduced strict measures, including imprisonment for violators. (Here, it demonstrates the phrase in a policy or legislative context.)

• После суда его приговорили к пяти годам заключения. (After the trial, he was sentenced to five years of imprisonment.)

  Translation: After the trial, he was sentenced to five years of imprisonment. (This illustrates use in a judicial setting, with the noun modified by a time period.)

• Тюремное заключение может иметь долгосрочные психологические последствия. (Imprisonment can have long-term psychological consequences.)

  Translation: Imprisonment can have long-term psychological consequences. (This example shows the phrase in a broader social or psychological discussion.)

• В истории России заключение часто использовалось как инструмент политического контроля. (In Russian history, imprisonment was often used as a tool for political control.)

  Translation: In Russian history, imprisonment was often used as a tool for political control. (This highlights historical and cultural usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. "Заключение" is a neuter noun of the second declension, which follows regular patterns. "Тюремное заключение" is a compound where "тюремное" is an adjective that agrees with "заключение" in case, number, and gender.

For "тюремное заключение", the adjective "тюремное" changes as follows in singular neuter: Nominative - тюремное, Genitive - тюремного, etc. It is regular and agrees with the noun's form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • плен (captivity; often used for wartime contexts, with a more temporary connotation)
  • узилище (confinement; implies a place of imprisonment, slightly more poetic or archaic)
• Antonyms:
  • освобождение (release; directly opposite, indicating freedom from confinement)
  • амнистия (amnesty; a legal release from imprisonment)

Related Phrases:

• Отбывать заключение (To serve a sentence) - Refers to actively undergoing imprisonment as a punishment.
• Под стражей (Under guard) - Often used in contexts implying detention leading to imprisonment.
• Тюремный срок (Prison term) - A phrase for a specific duration of imprisonment, emphasizing legal sentencing.

Usage Notes:

"Заключение" is the most direct and versatile translation for "imprisonment" in general contexts, while "тюремное заключение" is preferred for scenarios involving actual prison facilities. In Russian, these terms are formal and typically appear in legal or official documents; avoid using them in casual conversation. When translating, consider the context: for example, pair with verbs like "отбывать" (to serve) for ongoing imprisonment. If the English word implies a legal judgment, opt for "заключение" to maintain precision. Grammatically, ensure adjectives agree in case and gender with the noun.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "заключение" with "арест" (arrest): Learners might use "арест" when meaning "imprisonment," but "арест" is temporary detention, not the ongoing state. Correct: "Он в заключении" (He is in imprisonment) vs. Error: "Он в аресте" (which implies he's under arrest, not serving a sentence).

• Forgetting noun declensions: English speakers often overlook case changes, e.g., saying "без заключение" instead of "без заключения" (without imprisonment). Correct form: Always decline based on the sentence structure for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, terms like "заключение" evoke memories of the Soviet-era gulags, where political dissidents were imprisoned. This adds a layer of sensitivity, as imprisonment is often associated with state control and human rights issues in modern discussions, influencing its usage in literature and media.

Related Concepts:

• суд (court)
• наказание (punishment)
• освобождение (release)