Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prison'

English Word: prison

Key Russian Translations:

• тюрьма [ˈtʲʉrʲmə] - [Formal, used in legal or official contexts]
• заключение [zəklʲʉˈt͡ɕenʲije] - [Formal, more abstract, referring to the state of imprisonment]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in news, literature, and everyday discussions about law and society, but not as frequent as basic nouns like "house").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp the vocabulary with some exposure to noun declensions, but it requires understanding of formal contexts. For "тюрьма", it's straightforward; for "заключение", it may vary slightly based on sentence structure).

Pronunciation (Russian):

тюрьма: [ˈtʲʉrʲmə]

заключение: [zəklʲʉˈt͡ɕenʲije]

Note on тюрьма: The "тʲ" sound is a soft 't' followed by a palatalized 'y', which can be challenging for English speakers; practice with native audio to master the soft consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A place of confinement for convicted criminals or the state of being imprisoned.

Translation(s) & Context:

• тюрьма - Used in contexts involving physical locations, such as prisons in legal or news discussions (e.g., in formal writing or conversations about the justice system).
• заключение - Used more abstractly for the concept of imprisonment, in philosophical or legal texts (e.g., when discussing rights or sentences).

Usage Examples:

• Он был отправлен в тюрьму за кражу.

  He was sent to prison for theft. (This example shows the noun in a basic declarative sentence, highlighting a common criminal context.)

• В тюрьме условия жизни очень строгие.

  In prison, living conditions are very strict. (Demonstrates the noun in a descriptive sentence, emphasizing daily life aspects.)

• После заключения он решил изменить свою жизнь.

  After imprisonment, he decided to change his life. (Illustrates the abstract usage in a reflective or narrative context.)

• Правительство реформирует систему тюрем в стране.

  The government is reforming the prison system in the country. (Shows the word in a plural or systemic context, common in policy discussions.)

• Его заключение длилось десять лет.

  His imprisonment lasted ten years. (Highlights temporal usage in biographical or historical narratives.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"тюрьма" is a feminine noun in the first declension, which means it undergoes regular case changes based on its role in a sentence. It is invariant in the plural form but changes in singular cases. "заключение" is a neuter noun with standard declensions.

Note: These are regular patterns, but always check for exceptions in compound words or poetic usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • исправительная колония (correctional colony; more specific to labor camps or facilities)
  • узилище (dungeon or jail; archaic or literary connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • свобода (freedom; basic opposite in legal contexts)
  • освобождение (release; directly contrasting the state of imprisonment)

Explanation: "Исправительная колония" is often used interchangeably with "тюрьма" in modern Russian, but it implies a rehabilitative aspect, which may suit specific contexts better than the more neutral "тюрьма".

Related Phrases:

• выйти из тюрьмы - To get out of prison (used in narratives about rehabilitation or escape).
• система тюрем - Prison system (common in discussions of law and policy).
• под стражей в заключении - Under guard in imprisonment (formal phrase for legal documents).

Usage Notes:

"Тюрьма" directly corresponds to the English "prison" as a physical place, while "заключение" aligns more with the abstract concept of "imprisonment." In Russian, always consider the context: use "тюрьма" for concrete locations in everyday speech, and "заключение" in formal or philosophical writing. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as "тюрьма" is feminine (e.g., "в этой тюрьме" - in this prison). When choosing between translations, opt for "тюрьма" in most cases for clarity, unless the emphasis is on the duration or state.

• In informal conversations, Russians might use slang like "тюряга," but avoid it in formal settings.
• Grammar note: Always decline the noun based on its case to ensure sentence accuracy.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "тюрьма" with "тюрь" (an outdated or dialectical form), mistakenly using it as "He is in тюрь." Correct usage: "Он в тюрьме." Explanation: "Тюрьма" must be fully used and declined; omitting the ending can make it sound archaic or incorrect in modern Russian.

• Error: Using "заключение" when a physical place is meant, e.g., "Я посетил заключение" instead of "Я посетил тюрьму." Correct: "Я посетил тюрьму" (I visited the prison). Reason: "Заключение" refers to the abstract state, not a location.
• Error: Forgetting case changes, e.g., "Из тюрьма" instead of "Из тюрьмы." Correct: "Из тюрьмы" (From prison). Explanation: Russian requires genitive case after prepositions like "из."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "тюрьма" often evoke historical contexts, such as the Soviet gulags or the works of authors like Dostoevsky, who wrote about imprisonment in "The House of the Dead." This reflects a broader cultural narrative of resilience and reform, where prisons are not just punitive but sometimes seen as places of personal transformation.

Related Concepts:

• суд (court)
• преступление (crime)
• освобождение (release)