Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'obeisance'

English Word: obeisance

Key Russian Translations:

• поклон [pɐˈkɫon] - [Formal, Noun, Used in contexts of respectful gestures like bowing]
• уважение [ʊˈvaʐənʲɪje] - [Formal, Noun, Used for general respect or deference, often in social or hierarchical settings]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in literature, formal speech, and cultural contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Learners at this level should grasp the nuances of respect and gestures, though mastering inflections may require practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

поклон: [pɐˈkɫon]

уважение: [ʊˈvaʐənʲɪje]

Note on поклон: The stress is on the second syllable; the 'л' sound can be tricky for English speakers as it's a dark 'l'. Pronounce it with a soft palate emphasis.

Note on уважение: The 'ж' is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure'; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A gesture or act of deep respect, such as bowing or showing deference.

Translation(s) & Context:

• поклон - Used in formal or ceremonial contexts, such as in theater, royal settings, or historical narratives, to denote a physical bow.
• уважение - Applied in broader social interactions, emphasizing attitude rather than a physical action, like in professional or familial deference.

Usage Examples:

• Он сделал поклон перед королем, выражая свою преданность. (He made an obeisance before the king, expressing his loyalty.)

  Translation: He made a bow before the king, expressing his loyalty. (This example shows 'поклон' in a formal, historical context.)

• В русской культуре уважение к старшим часто проявляется через поклон или вежливый жест. (In Russian culture, respect for elders is often shown through an obeisance or a polite gesture.)

  Translation: In Russian culture, respect for elders is often shown through a bow or a polite gesture. (Illustrates 'уважение' in cultural and everyday scenarios.)

• Актер завершил выступление глубоким поклоном, что тронуло аудиторию. (The actor ended the performance with a deep obeisance, which moved the audience.)

  Translation: The actor ended the performance with a deep bow, which moved the audience. (Demonstrates 'поклон' in artistic contexts with emotional depth.)

• Её уважение к учителю выразилось в скромном поклонении во время церемонии. (Her respect for the teacher was expressed through a humble obeisance during the ceremony.)

  Translation: Her respect for the teacher was expressed through a humble bow during the ceremony. (Combines both translations to show interchangeable use.)

• В деловой встрече он проявил уважение, сделав лёгкий поклон при рукопожатии. (In the business meeting, he showed respect by making a slight obeisance while shaking hands.)

  Translation: In the business meeting, he showed respect by making a slight bow while shaking hands. (Highlights 'поклон' in modern, professional settings.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'поклон' (a masculine noun), it follows standard first-declension patterns with regular inflections based on case and number. 'Уважение' is a neuter noun with its own inflections.

Note: These are regular inflections; no irregular forms for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • приветствие (greeting, but with a respectful connotation; more neutral than поклон)
  • преклонение (more intense, implying adoration or worship)
• Antonyms:
  • неуважение (disrespect; directly opposite in formal contexts)
  • пренебрежение (neglect or disdain; used for ignoring respect)

Related Phrases:

• С поклоном - With respect (Used in letters or speeches to convey deference.)
• Проявить уважение - To show respect (A common phrase in social interactions, equivalent to performing an obeisance.)
• Глубокий поклон - Deep bow (Emphasizes the physical aspect in ceremonial contexts.)

Usage Notes:

'Поклон' directly corresponds to the physical gesture in 'obeisance', making it ideal for contexts involving bowing, while 'уважение' is broader and focuses on attitude. English users should note that Russian culture values verbal expressions of respect alongside gestures, so 'поклон' might be less common in daily life than in formal or artistic settings. When choosing between translations, opt for 'поклон' in literal scenarios and 'уважение' for abstract ones. Grammatically, both nouns require appropriate case agreement with verbs or prepositions.

• Always consider the context's formality; 'поклон' is rarely used informally.
• In sentences, ensure subject-verb agreement and proper inflection to avoid awkwardness.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'поклон' with 'приветствие', thinking they are interchangeable, but 'приветствие' is more about general greetings. Incorrect: "Я сделал приветствие перед начальником" (wrongly using it as a bow). Correct: "Я сделал поклон перед начальником" – This error stems from overlooking the specific gesture implied in 'obeisance'. Another mistake is improper inflection, e.g., using nominative in all cases: "Я думаю о поклон" instead of "Я думаю о поклоне". Always check the case based on the sentence structure for accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, an obeisance like 'поклон' is more prevalent in traditional or theatrical contexts, such as in ballet or historical reenactments, reflecting influences from Orthodox traditions and imperial history. However, it's less common in modern urban interactions compared to verbal courtesies, highlighting a cultural shift towards egalitarianism while still valuing respect in hierarchical settings.

Related Concepts:

• вежливость (politeness)
• преданность (loyalty)
• почтение (deference)