Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'poorhouse'

English Word: poorhouse

Key Russian Translations:

• богадельня [bɐɡɐˈdʲelʲnʲə] - [Formal, Historical]

Frequency: Low (This term is rarely used in modern Russian, primarily in historical or literary contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian historical vocabulary and noun declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

богадельня: [bɐɡɐˈdʲelʲnʲə]

Note on богадельня: The stress falls on the third syllable ("dʲelʲ"), which is common in Russian feminine nouns. Pay attention to the palatalized 'l' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A historical institution for housing and supporting the poor

Translation(s) & Context:

• богадельня - Used in formal, historical, or literary contexts to refer to a charitable institution or poorhouse, often implying poverty relief in 19th-century Russia.

Usage Examples:

• В XIX веке богадельни были основным убежищем для нищих и престарелых.

  In the 19th century, poorhouses were the main refuge for the destitute and elderly.

• Многие герои русских романов заканчивали жизнь в богадельне из-за нищеты.

  Many heroes in Russian novels ended up in a poorhouse due to poverty.

• Правительство реформировало систему богаделен, чтобы помочь бедным слоям населения.

  The government reformed the poorhouse system to assist the poorer segments of society.

• В музее есть экспонаты, иллюстрирующие жизнь в старой богадельне.

  The museum has exhibits illustrating life in an old poorhouse.

• Богадельня в этом городе была известна своей благотворительной работой.

  The poorhouse in this city was known for its charitable work.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Богадельня" is a feminine noun in the first declension group. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward once the basic declension rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • приют (priut) - A general term for a shelter or refuge, often used in modern contexts.
  • убежище (ubezhishche) - Implies a safe haven, with a slight connotation of protection from harm.
• Antonyms:
  • богатство (bogatstvo) - Wealth, contrasting the poverty associated with a poorhouse.
  • роскошь (roskosh') - Luxury, emphasizing opulence over destitution.

Note: Synonyms like "приют" may be more commonly used today, but they lack the historical specificity of "богадельня".

Related Phrases:

• государственная богадельня - State-run poorhouse; refers to institutions funded by the government for public welfare.
• богадельня для престарелых - Poorhouse for the elderly; highlights age-specific charitable housing.
• благотворительная богадельня - Charitable poorhouse; emphasizes voluntary aid and philanthropy in Russian society.

Usage Notes:

"Богадельня" directly corresponds to "poorhouse" in English, particularly in historical contexts, but it is an archaic term in modern Russian. It is best used in formal, literary, or educational settings rather than everyday conversation. English learners should note that Russian nouns like this one must agree in case, number, and gender with other words in the sentence. When choosing between translations, opt for "богадельня" if the context is historical; for contemporary welfare discussions, "приют" might be more appropriate. Be mindful of the formal tone, as it carries connotations of 19th-century social issues in Russia.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "богадельня" with modern welfare terms: English learners often mistakenly use "богадельня" for current social services, like homeless shelters. Incorrect: "Я пошел в богадельню за помощью" (implying a historical poorhouse). Correct: Use "приют" or "социальный центр" for modern contexts. Explanation: "Богадельня" specifically evokes 19th-century institutions, so it can sound outdated or inappropriate in contemporary discussions.

• Incorrect declension: For example, using the nominative form in all cases, such as "в богадельня" instead of "в богадельне". Incorrect: "Я живу в богадельня". Correct: "Я живу в богадельне" (prepositional case). Explanation: Russian requires proper case agreement; always check the sentence structure to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "богадельня" is tied to the historical context of 19th-century social reforms and literature, such as in the works of Dostoevsky or Tolstoy, where it symbolizes poverty and societal neglect. It reflects the era's charitable efforts by the church and nobility, often highlighting class disparities and the human condition in Imperial Russia.

Related Concepts:

• приют
• сиротский дом
• благотворительность