Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'libation'

English Word: libation

Key Russian Translations:

• возлияние [vəzlʲɪˈanʲɪje] - [Formal, Religious context]

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

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding cultural and historical nuances; learners at this level should grasp basic noun declensions and formal vocabulary.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

возлияние: [vəzlʲɪˈanʲɪje]

Note on возлияние: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("anʲɪje"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'l' sound. Pronounce it with a soft, flowing rhythm.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The act of pouring a liquid, such as wine, as a religious or ceremonial offering.

Translation(s) & Context:

• возлияние - Used in formal, historical, or religious contexts, such as ancient rituals or literary descriptions, to denote a ceremonial pouring of liquid.

Usage Examples:

• В древние времена жрецы проводили возлияние вином в честь богов.

  In ancient times, priests performed a libation with wine in honor of the gods.

• Во время фестиваля участники совершили возлияние, чтобы умиротворить духов.

  During the festival, participants performed a libation to appease the spirits.

• В русской литературе возлияние часто символизирует связь между человеком и высшими силами.

  In Russian literature, libation often symbolizes the connection between humans and higher powers.

• Современные реконструкторы исторических событий включают возлияние в свои церемонии для аутентичности.

  Modern historical reenactors include libation in their ceremonies for authenticity.

• Возлияние водой может быть частью обрядов в некоторых этнических традициях.

  A libation with water can be part of rituals in certain ethnic traditions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Возлияние" is a neuter noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows standard neuter noun patterns with regular inflections. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • жертвоприношение (zhertvoprinosheniye) - More general term for sacrifice, often used interchangeably in broader contexts.
  • обряд (obryad) - Ritual, but less specific to liquid offerings; applicable in ceremonial settings.
• Antonyms:
  • воздержание (vozderzhaniye) - Abstinence, implying the opposite of offering or consuming.

Related Phrases:

• совершить возлияние - To perform a libation; used in contexts of rituals or ceremonies.
• возлияние вином - Libation with wine; common in historical or religious descriptions.
• традиционное возлияние - Traditional libation; refers to cultural practices in folklore.

Usage Notes:

"Возлияние" directly corresponds to the English "libation" in its ceremonial sense, but it is more commonly found in literary, historical, or religious texts rather than everyday speech. English learners should note that this word carries a formal tone and is rarely used in informal conversations. When choosing between translations, prefer "возлияние" for precise ritual contexts, but if the meaning is more general (e.g., simply drinking), "напиток" might be considered, though it's less accurate. Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian case rules to fit sentence structure.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "возлияние" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я видел возлияние" instead of "Я видел возлияние" (which is correct in nominative, but errors occur in other cases like "Я думаю о возлияний" instead of "Я думаю о возлиянии").
  Correct: "Я думаю о возлиянии" – Explanation: Always match the noun's case to the preposition or verb requirements to avoid grammatical errors.
• Mistake: Confusing it with "возлия" (a non-standard or archaic form), leading to incorrect usage.
  Correct: Stick to "возлияние" as the standard modern form; explain that archaic variants are not used in contemporary Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "возлияние" is often associated with ancient Slavic pagan rituals or Orthodox Christian traditions, where liquids like wine or mead were poured as offerings to deities or saints. This practice reflects broader Indo-European customs and can symbolize reverence, purification, or communion with the divine, helping English learners appreciate the historical depth of Russian folklore and literature.

Related Concepts:

• жертвоприношение
• обряд
• ритуал