Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'presage'

English Word: presage

Key Russian Translations:

• Предзнаменование [prʲɪdznəmʲɪˈnovanʲɪje] - [Noun, Formal, Used in literary or prophetic contexts]
• Предвещать [prʲɪdˈvʲeɕːatʲ] - [Verb, Formal, Used to indicate foretelling or warning]
• Вещий знак [ˈvʲeʂɨj znak] - [Noun Phrase, Informal, Used in everyday discussions of omens]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, journalism, and discussions of predictions, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun and verb inflections and contextual usage; for 'Предвещать' as a verb, it may reach B2+, due to aspectual variations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Предзнаменование: [prʲɪdznəmʲɪˈnovanʲɪje]

Предвещать: [prʲɪdˈvʲeɕːatʲ]

Вещий знак: [ˈvʲeʂɨj znak]

Note on Предвещать: This verb has a stress on the second syllable, which can be tricky for learners; it often shifts in imperfective aspects. Pay attention to the soft sign (ь) affecting pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: As a noun, referring to a sign or warning of a future event (e.g., an omen).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Предзнаменование - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe a prophetic sign, such as in historical or superstitious discussions.
• Вещий знак - Applied in more informal or narrative settings, like storytelling or casual predictions.

Usage Examples:

• Это предзнаменование грядущих перемен в стране. (This is a presage of upcoming changes in the country.)

  English Translation: This is a presage of upcoming changes in the country.

• Вещий знак, увиденный в сновидении, часто предвещает удачу. (The ominous sign seen in a dream often presages good fortune.)

  English Translation: The ominous sign seen in a dream often presages good fortune.

• Старые люди воспринимают такие предзнаменования как предупреждение. (Old people perceive such presages as warnings.)

  English Translation: Old people perceive such presages as warnings.

• Вещий знак в природе, как неожиданный шторм, может предвещать беду. (An ominous sign in nature, like an unexpected storm, can presage trouble.)

  English Translation: An ominous sign in nature, like an unexpected storm, can presage trouble.

• Это классическое предзнаменование, описанное в фольклоре. (This is a classic presage described in folklore.)

  English Translation: This is a classic presage described in folklore.

Meaning 2: As a verb, meaning to foretell or indicate something in advance.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Предвещать - Used in formal contexts, such as predictions in science, weather, or literature, often with a sense of inevitability.

Usage Examples:

• Тёмные тучи предвещают дождь. (Dark clouds presage rain.)

  English Translation: Dark clouds presage rain.

• Его слова предвещают изменения в политике. (His words presage changes in politics.)

  English Translation: His words presage changes in politics.

• Этот симптом предвещает серьёзную болезнь. (This symptom presages a serious illness.)

  English Translation: This symptom presages a serious illness.

• Астрономы предвещают затмение в следующем месяце. (Astronomers presage an eclipse next month.)

  English Translation: Astronomers presage an eclipse next month.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'Предзнаменование' (a neuter noun), it follows standard third-declension patterns with inflections for case and number. It is not irregular but requires attention to its length.

For 'Предвещать' (a verb, imperfective aspect), it conjugates based on person, tense, and aspect. It is a first-conjugation verb with no irregularities.

'Вещий знак' as a phrase does not inflect as a single unit but follows standard noun rules for 'знак'.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Предсказание (more neutral, often used for prophecies)
  • Знамение (similar to omen, with a slightly mystical connotation)
  • Весть (news or herald, differing in that it's less foreboding)
• Antonyms:
  • Успокоение (reassurance, opposite of a warning)
  • Отрицание (denial, negating the idea of foretelling)

Related Phrases:

• Предвещать беду - (To presage disaster; used in contexts of warning about negative events.)
• Вещий сон - (Prophetic dream; a common phrase in folklore for dreams that presage future events.)
• Знак судьбы - (Sign of fate; similar to presage but with a deterministic connotation.)

Usage Notes:

'Presage' as 'Предзнаменование' or 'Предвещать' directly corresponds to English in formal contexts but is more common in Russian literature or predictive discussions. Use 'Предвещать' for actions (verbs) and 'Предзнаменование' for nouns; be mindful of the formal register, as these words are rarely used in casual speech. In grammar, ensure correct aspect usage—e.g., pair with perfective forms like 'Предречь' for completed predictions. When choosing between translations, opt for 'Вещий знак' in narrative or informal settings for a more vivid effect.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'Предвещать' with 'Предсказывать' (which means 'to predict' more generally). Incorrect: "Я предсказываю дождь" when meaning presage. Correct: "Я предвещаю дождь" for a sense of foreboding. Explanation: 'Предвещать' implies an ominous tone, while 'Предсказывать' is neutral.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., using nominative 'Предзнаменование' in genitive contexts. Incorrect: "Без предзнаменование" (should be "Без предзнаменования"). Explanation: Always adjust for case to maintain grammatical accuracy in Russian sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'Предзнаменование' are deeply tied to folklore and superstition, such as in Slavic myths where natural signs (e.g., animal behaviors) presage events. This reflects a historical emphasis on fate and omens in Russian literature, as seen in works by Pushkin, where such concepts underscore themes of destiny and inevitability.

Related Concepts:

• Пророчество (prophecy)
• Суеверие (superstition)
• Знамение (sign)