Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'perjure'

English Word: perjure

Key Russian Translations:

• лжесвидетствовать [lʲʐɨsvʲɪˈdʲɛtstvəvətʲ] - [Formal, Legal]

Frequency: Low (This term is rarely used in everyday conversation, primarily in legal or formal contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian verb conjugations and legal vocabulary.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

лжесвидетствовать: [lʲʐɨsvʲɪˈdʲɛtstvəvətʲ]

Note on лжесвидетствовать: This word has a complex pronunciation due to the consonant cluster "лж" (pronounced as a soft "l" followed by "zh"), which can be challenging for beginners. Stress falls on the fourth syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The act of lying under oath, typically in a legal setting.

Translation(s) & Context:

• лжесвидетствовать - Used in formal legal contexts, such as court trials, to describe deliberately giving false testimony under oath.

Usage Examples:

• Он лжесвидетствовал в суде, чтобы защитить своего друга.

  He perjured himself in court to protect his friend.

• Свидеток был обвинён в том, что лжесвидетствовал на процессе.

  The witness was accused of perjuring during the trial.

• В случае лжесвидетствования, наказание может быть суровым.

  In the case of perjury, the punishment can be severe.

• Адвокат предупредил клиента, что лжесвидетствовать — это преступление.

  The lawyer warned the client that perjuring is a crime.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Лжесвидетствовать" is a verb in Russian, belonging to the first conjugation group. It follows regular patterns for most forms but can be irregular in certain aspects due to its complexity. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This verb does not change in gender or number in the past tense, as is typical for Russian verbs. It is imperfective, so for perfective aspects, one might use related forms like "solgal" in broader contexts, but it's not directly inflected here.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: клеветать (to slander; implies spreading false information, often with malice), давать ложные показания (to give false testimony; more descriptive phrase)
• With a slight difference: клеветать is broader and can apply outside legal settings, while лжесвидетствовать is strictly legal.
• Antonyms: свидетельствовать (to testify truthfully), говорить правду (to tell the truth)

Related Phrases:

• Дать ложные показания - To give false testimony; used in court to describe perjury.
• Лжесвидетствование под присягой - Perjury under oath; emphasizes the sworn aspect in legal contexts.
• Обвинить в лжесвидетствовании - To accuse of perjury; common in criminal proceedings.

Usage Notes:

"Лжесвидетствовать" directly corresponds to "perjure" in English, focusing on the legal act of lying under oath. It is highly formal and restricted to professional or judicial settings, so avoid using it in casual conversation. When choosing between translations like "лжесвидетствовать" and "клеветать," opt for the former in legal contexts for precision. Grammatically, ensure correct verb conjugation based on subject and tense, as Russian verbs change extensively. For English speakers, remember that Russian often requires explicit context for truthfulness, unlike English idioms.

• Always pair it with legal nouns like "в суде" (in court) for clarity.
• In writing, it's common in formal documents, but in speech, phrases like "дать ложные показания" might be more natural.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "лжесвидетствовать" with "клеветать," mistakenly using the latter in legal contexts where it implies general slander rather than sworn testimony. For example:

• Incorrect: Он клеветал в суде. (This suggests general lying, not under oath.)
• Correct: Он лжесвидетствовал в суде. (This specifies perjury in a legal setting.)
• Explanation: The error arises from overlapping meanings, but "лжесвидетствовать" requires the element of oath, so always verify the context before use.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and legal systems, perjury like "лжесвидетствовать" is taken very seriously, often linked to historical contexts such as Soviet-era trials where false testimony could lead to severe repercussions. It reflects a broader emphasis on truth in public life, influenced by Russia's legal traditions derived from Roman and Napoleonic codes, highlighting the importance of integrity in testimony.

Related Concepts:

• суд (court)
• присяга (oath)
• обвинение (accusation)