Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'oath'

English Word: oath

Key Russian Translations:

• клятва /klyatva/ - [Formal, used in legal or ceremonial contexts]
• присяга /prisyaɡa/ - [Formal, used in official oaths, such as military or citizenship]
• ругательство /ruɡatelʲstvə/ - [Informal, referring to profane oaths or curses]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, legal texts, and everyday speech, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and formal language, though basic forms are accessible to learners beyond beginner level).

Pronunciation (Russian):

клятва: /klyatva/ (Stress on the first syllable; the "kly" sound is similar to "klee" in English, with a soft "t" at the end.)

присяга: /prisyaɡa/ (Stress on the second syllable; note the palatalized "s" sound, like "sh" in "measure".)

ругательство: /ruɡatelʲstvə/ (Stress on the third syllable; the "ɡ" is a hard "g", and "ʲ" indicates a soft consonant.)

Note on клятва: Be cautious with the soft "t" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; it softens before vowels in some contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A solemn promise or declaration, often with religious or legal implications (e.g., swearing an oath).

Translation(s) & Context:

• клятва - Used in formal settings like courtrooms or ceremonies, emphasizing a binding commitment.
• присяга - Specifically for oaths of allegiance, such as in military or governmental contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он дал клятву верности стране. (He swore an oath of loyalty to the country.)

  Translation: He swore an oath of loyalty to the country. (This example shows the word in a formal, patriotic context.)

• Во время церемонии она произнесла присягу. (During the ceremony, she recited the oath.)

  Translation: During the ceremony, she recited the oath. (Illustrates use in official events, with a focus on spoken language.)

• Клятва врача - это обещание помогать людям. (A doctor's oath is a promise to help people.)

  Translation: A doctor's oath is a promise to help people. (Demonstrates the word in a professional context, linked to ethics.)

• Присяга на верность флагу - традиция в многих странах. (Swearing an oath of allegiance to the flag is a tradition in many countries.)

  Translation: Swearing an oath of allegiance to the flag is a tradition in many countries. (Shows cultural and historical usage.)

Meaning 2: A profane or vulgar expression, such as a curse word.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ругательство - Informal or slang contexts, often in anger or frustration, but less formal than клятва.

Usage Examples:

• В гневе он выкрикнул ругательство. (In anger, he shouted an oath.)

  Translation: In anger, he shouted an oath. (This highlights the word in emotional, everyday situations.)

• Её ругательство шокировало всех в комнате. (Her oath shocked everyone in the room.)

  Translation: Her oath shocked everyone in the room. (Shows the word in social interactions, emphasizing its impact.)

• В фильме было много ругательств, но они были цензурными. (The movie had many oaths, but they were censored.)

  Translation: The movie had many oaths, but they were censored. (Illustrates use in media or casual language.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Most key translations are nouns, which follow standard Russian declension patterns. For example, "клятва" is a feminine noun in the first declension group and changes based on case and number.

"Присяга" follows a similar pattern as a feminine noun. "Ругательство" is a neuter noun and is mostly invariable in plural forms but changes in cases like genitive (ругательства). These are regular inflections, making them predictable for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • обет (/ɐˈbʲɛt/) - Similar to клятва but often implies a religious vow; used in spiritual contexts.
  • завет (/zɐˈvʲɛt/) - More archaic, referring to a solemn promise or testament.
• Antonyms:
  • ложь (/loʂʲ/) - Directly opposes the truthfulness of an oath, meaning "lie".
  • измена (/ɪzˈmʲɛnə/) - Implies betrayal, contrasting with loyalty in oaths.

Related Phrases:

• Присягнуть на верность - (To swear allegiance; used in contexts of loyalty or patriotism.)
• Дать клятву молчания - (To take an oath of silence; common in secretive or professional settings.)
• Ругательство в гневе - (An oath in anger; refers to impulsive cursing in emotional situations.)

Usage Notes:

"Oath" in English often aligns with "клятва" for formal promises, but in Russian, choose "присяга" for official ceremonies to ensure precision. Be mindful of context: "ругательство" is informal and can be offensive, so it's best avoided in polite speech. Grammatically, these nouns require correct case agreement with verbs and prepositions, such as using the dative case after "дать" (to give). When multiple translations exist, select based on formality—e.g., use "клятва" in legal documents rather than "ругательство".

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing "клятва" with "присяга" and using them interchangeably. Correct: Use "присяга" only for state or military oaths; "клятва" is broader. Example: Incorrect: "Он дал присягу в суде" (if it's not an official allegiance); Correct: "Он дал клятву в суде".
• Mistake: Forgetting noun declensions, e.g., using nominative "клятва" in all cases. Correct: Adjust for case, like "о клятве" (about the oath) in genitive. This error can make sentences grammatically incorrect and unclear.
• Mistake: Overusing "ругательство" in formal writing. Correct: Reserve it for informal contexts; in professional settings, opt for "клятва".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, oaths like "клятва" often carry deep historical significance, such as those in literature (e.g., in Pushkin's works) or during revolutions. "Присяга" is tied to national identity, like the oath in the Russian military, reflecting themes of honor and duty. However, casual "ругательство" might stem from folklore, where curses were used in folk tales to express strong emotions, highlighting Russia's expressive oral traditions.

Related Concepts:

• клятвопреступление (perjury)
• верность (loyalty)
• завещание (testament or will)