Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'persecute'

English Word: persecute

Key Russian Translations:

• преследовать [prʲɪsʲɪˈslʲovətʲ] - [Formal, often used in legal or historical contexts]
• травить [trɐˈvʲitʲ] - [Informal, implies emotional or psychological harassment]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal discussions, literature, and news, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and nuanced contexts. For 'преследовать', it's B2; for 'травить', it's B1 due to simpler forms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

преследовать: [prʲɪsʲɪˈslʲovətʲ]

травить: [trɐˈvʲitʲ]

Note on преследовать: The stress falls on the third syllable ('slʲovətʲ'), which can be tricky for learners; it's a perfective verb in some forms, so pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To subject someone to hostility, ill-treatment, or harassment, often due to race, religion, or beliefs

Translation(s) & Context:

• преследовать - Used in formal contexts, such as legal proceedings or historical narratives, to denote systematic oppression.
• травить - Applied in informal or emotional settings, like bullying or personal conflicts, emphasizing psychological torment.

Usage Examples:

• Правительство преследует оппозиционных активистов за их взгляды.

  The government persecutes opposition activists for their views.

• В школе дети иногда травят одноклассников из-за их происхождения.

  In school, children sometimes persecute classmates because of their background.

• Исторические документы показывают, как режим преследовал религиозные меньшинства.

  Historical documents show how the regime persecuted religious minorities.

• Соседи начали травить семью после спора о границе участка.

  The neighbors started persecuting the family after a dispute over the property line.

• Международные организации борются против того, чтобы правительства преследовали журналистов.

  International organizations fight against governments persecuting journalists.

To persistently pursue or harass someone

Translation(s) & Context:

• преследовать - In a literal sense, like chasing or stalking, but often metaphorical in formal writing.

Usage Examples:

• Преступник продолжал преследовать жертву по улицам города.

  The criminal kept persecuting the victim through the city streets.

• В романе главный герой преследует свою цель, несмотря на опасности.

  In the novel, the main character persecutes his goal despite the dangers.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'преследовать' and 'травить' are verbs, so they follow Russian verb conjugation patterns. 'Преследовать' is an imperfective verb, while 'травить' can be imperfective. Russian verbs change based on tense, aspect, person, and number. Below is a table for 'преследовать' in the present tense; 'травить' follows similar patterns but is simpler.

For 'травить': It is irregular in some aspects but follows first conjugation rules. Present tense: Я трави́т, Ты трави́шь, etc. Both verbs do not change in gender but must agree in number and person.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • гонять (implies chasing or driving away, often more physical)
  • травить (as above, but can be synonymous in emotional contexts)
  • угнетать (focuses on oppression, with a nuance of systemic power imbalance)
• Antonyms:
  • защищать (to protect, used in contexts of defense against persecution)
  • поддерживать (to support, contrasting with harassment)

Related Phrases:

• политическое преследование - Political persecution; used in discussions of human rights violations.
• травля в интернете - Online bullying; a modern context for harassment in digital spaces.
• гонять кого-то из города - To drive someone out of town; implies forceful pursuit in informal narratives.

Usage Notes:

'Преследовать' is the most direct translation for 'persecute' in formal English contexts, such as legal or historical usage, and it conveys a sense of ongoing action. In contrast, 'травить' is better for informal, emotional persecution and may not always align perfectly with the English term's intensity. Always consider the aspect: Russian verbs often require perfective forms (e.g., преследовать can pair with преследование for completed actions). For English learners, choose 'преследовать' in official contexts and 'травить' in everyday conversations. Be mindful of register—'травить' can sound colloquial and is less appropriate in academic writing.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'преследовать' interchangeably with 'искать' (to search), thinking it means simple pursuit. Correct: 'Преследовать' implies harassment, not neutral searching. Example: Wrong - "Я преследую книгу в библиотеке" (I am persecuting a book in the library); Correct - "Я ищу книгу в библиотеке" (I am searching for a book in the library).
• Mistake: Neglecting verb aspect, e.g., using 'преследовать' without specifying if it's ongoing. Correct: Pair with perfective forms like 'препятствовать' for completed persecution. Example: Wrong - "Они преследуют" (vague); Correct - "Они преследовали в прошлом" (They persecuted in the past, using past tense).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, words like 'преследовать' often evoke memories of Soviet-era purges or Stalinist repression, where political dissidents were systematically persecuted. This adds a layer of historical weight, making the term not just literal but emotionally charged in contemporary discussions, such as in media coverage of human rights in Russia.

Related Concepts:

• дискриминация (discrimination)
• угнетение (oppression)
• репрессия (repression)