Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'manacle'

English Word: manacle

Key Russian Translations:

• кандалы [/kɐnˈdalɨ/] - [Formal, Plural; Used in historical, legal, or literary contexts]
• оковы [/ɐˈko.vɨ/] - [Formal; Used more generally for shackles or restraints, often in poetic or metaphorical contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation but appear in historical, legal, or literary texts.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2 on CEFR scale; Requires understanding of Russian noun inflections and contextual vocabulary. For 'кандалы', it's B1; for 'оковы', it's B2 due to its more abstract usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кандалы: /kɐnˈdalɨ/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'ы' sound is a high back unrounded vowel, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

оковы: /ɐˈko.vɨ/ (Stress on the second syllable; Note the soft 'в' sound, which may vary slightly in rapid speech.)

Note on кандалы: Be mindful of the palatalized 'л' in some dialects, though standard pronunciation is as above. This word often has a rolled 'р' in careful speech.

Note on оковы: The vowel in the first syllable is reduced in unstressed positions, common in Russian phonetics.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A metal device used to shackle the hands or feet, often for restraining prisoners.

Translation(s) & Context:

• кандалы - Typically used in formal, historical, or legal contexts, such as describing imprisonment in literature or documentaries.
• оковы - Applied in more metaphorical or poetic contexts, like symbolizing oppression or bondage in modern discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В тюрьме он носил кандалы на руках и ногах.

  In prison, he wore manacles on his hands and feet. (This example shows the word in a literal, historical context.)

• Кандалы свободы – это иллюзия, которую многие не осознают.

  The manacles of freedom are an illusion that many do not realize. (Here, it's used metaphorically in a philosophical discussion.)

• Исторические оковы напоминают о былых страданиях узников.

  Historical manacles remind us of the past sufferings of prisoners. (This demonstrates the word in a reflective, educational context.)

• Его оковы были сняты только после суда.

  His manacles were removed only after the trial. (Example in a legal setting, emphasizing removal or release.)

• В фильме кандалы символизируют утрату свободы.

  In the film, manacles symbolize the loss of freedom. (This shows the word in a cinematic or symbolic grammar structure.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'кандалы' and 'оковы' are plural nouns in Russian, belonging to the second declension (feminine or masculine plural forms). They follow standard Russian noun inflection patterns, which involve changes based on case, number, and gender. 'Кандалы' is typically plural-only, while 'оковы' can be used in singular forms in some contexts.

Note: These inflections are regular for Russian nouns. 'Кандалы' does not have a singular form in common usage, making it invariant in number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • оковы (Similar to 'manacle' but more poetic; often used interchangeably in metaphorical contexts)
  • цепи (Chains; More general and can imply larger restraints)
  • верёвки (Ropes; Used for makeshift restraints, with a slight difference in material connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • свобода (Freedom; Directly opposes the idea of restraint)
  • освобождение (Release; Implies the act of removing restraints)

Related Phrases:

• надеть кандалы – To put on manacles; Used in contexts of imprisonment or restriction.
• сбросить оковы – To throw off the shackles; Often metaphorical, meaning to gain freedom or break free from oppression.
• в кандалах судьбы – In the manacles of fate; A poetic phrase implying inevitable constraints in life.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'кандалы' directly corresponds to the literal English meaning of 'manacle' as a physical restraint, while 'оковы' can extend to metaphorical uses, similar to how English might use 'shackles' figuratively. Always consider the context: use 'кандалы' in formal or historical settings, and 'оковы' for abstract discussions. Grammatically, these nouns require agreement in case and number with other elements in the sentence. For English learners, choose 'кандалы' for precise translations and 'оковы' when emphasizing emotional or symbolic weight.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'кандалы' in singular form (e.g., *кандал), as it is a plural-only noun. Correct: Stick to plural forms like 'кандалы'. Explanation: Russian has many pluralia tantum nouns, and forcing a singular can sound unnatural or incorrect.

• Error: Confusing 'оковы' with 'окна' (windows) due to similar spelling. Correct: 'Оквы' means shackles, while 'окна' means windows; always double-check context. Explanation: This is a common phonetic slip for beginners, leading to misunderstandings in descriptive texts.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., using nominative in all cases (e.g., *в кандалы instead of в кандалах). Correct: Use proper case, like в кандалах for prepositional. Explanation: Russian case system is crucial; ignoring it can alter the sentence's meaning or make it grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'кандалы' evoke images of historical events such as the Siberian exile under the Tsars or Soviet-era labor camps, symbolizing oppression and loss of freedom. 'Оковы' is often used in literature, like in works by Dostoevsky, to represent not just physical restraints but also the metaphorical chains of societal or personal constraints, reflecting Russia's complex history of authoritarianism.

Related Concepts:

• тюрьма (Prison)
• узник (Prisoner)
• свобода (Freedom)
• репрессия (Repression)