Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'purloin'

English Word: purloin

Key Russian Translations:

• украсть [ʊˈkrasʲtʲ] - [Informal, Common]
• похитить [pɐxʲɪˈtʲitʲ] - [Formal, Legal or Literary Context]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'purloin' and its Russian equivalents are not everyday terms but appear in narratives, legal discussions, or crime-related contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and context-specific usage, which can vary based on translation.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

украсть: [ʊˈkrasʲtʲ] (The stress is on the second syllable; note the soft 's' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.)

Note on украсть: This verb has a palatalized 't' at the end, making it sound like [ʊˈkrasʲtʲʲ], which can be tricky for beginners.

похитить: [pɐxʲɪˈtʲitʲ] (Stress on the third syllable; the 'xʲ' represents a soft 'kh' sound.)

Note on похитить: Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech, potentially softening the initial 'p' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To steal or take something dishonestly, often implying stealth or minor theft.

Translation(s) & Context:

• украсть - Used in everyday informal situations for petty theft, such as taking an item without permission.
• похитить - Applied in more formal or serious contexts, like kidnapping or stealing valuable items in a planned manner.

Usage Examples:

• Он украл кошелек с стола. (He purloined the wallet from the table.)

  Translation: He stole the wallet from the table. (This example shows the verb in a simple past tense, common in narrative contexts.)

• Воры похитили драгоценности из музея. (The thieves purloined the jewels from the museum.)

  Translation: The thieves stole the jewels from the museum. (Illustrates formal usage in a criminal or institutional setting.)

• Не укради чужие вещи, это непорядочно. (Don't purloin others' belongings; it's dishonest.)

  Translation: Don't steal others' belongings; it's dishonest. (Demonstrates imperative form for moral advice.)

• Она похитила документы, чтобы шантажировать начальника. (She purloined the documents to blackmail her boss.)

  Translation: She stole the documents to blackmail her boss. (Shows usage in a plot-driven or dramatic context.)

• Дети иногда украдут конфеты, но это не серьезно. (Kids sometimes purloin candies, but it's not serious.)

  Translation: Kids sometimes steal candies, but it's not serious. (Highlights informal, light-hearted application.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'украсть' and 'похитить' are verbs of the perfective aspect in Russian, meaning they describe completed actions. They follow standard conjugation patterns for Russian verbs, which are irregular in some aspects. Below is a table for key conjugations:

Note: These verbs do not change for gender or number in the infinitive form but do so in the past tense, which is a key feature of Russian grammar.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • своровать (similar to украсть, but more colloquial and regional)
  • таскать (to pilfer, implying repeated small thefts; less formal)
• Antonyms:
  • вернуть (to return)
  • отдать (to give back)

Related Phrases:

• Украсть время (To steal time) - Meaning: To waste time or take time dishonestly, often in idiomatic expressions about procrastination.
• Похитить сердце (To purloin the heart) - Meaning: To win someone's affection, used metaphorically in romantic contexts.
• Украденный товар (Purloined goods) - Meaning: Stolen items, commonly in legal or detective stories.

Usage Notes:

'Purloin' corresponds closely to 'украсть' in informal settings and 'похитить' in formal ones. English speakers should note that Russian verbs require aspect (perfective like these for completed actions) and can change based on context—use 'украсть' for everyday theft and 'похитить' for more serious crimes. Be mindful of the verb's aspect when forming sentences, as imperfective alternatives like 'красть' (to steal continuously) might be needed for ongoing actions. Choose the translation based on the desired level of formality to avoid sounding unnatural.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the infinitive form incorrectly in sentences, e.g., saying "Я украсть деньги" instead of "Я украл деньги."
  Correct: "Я украл деньги" (I stole the money). Explanation: Russian verbs must be conjugated according to tense and subject.
• Mistake: Confusing with imperfective verbs, e.g., using "красть" when "украсть" is needed for a completed action.
  Correct: For a one-time event, use "украсть"; for habitual, use "красть." Explanation: Aspect is crucial in Russian to convey the nature of the action.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'похитить' often appear in literature and folktales, such as in stories of clever thieves or historical events involving theft, reflecting themes of resourcefulness or social inequality. For instance, characters in Russian classics might 'purloin' items as a form of rebellion against authority, highlighting cultural attitudes toward property and justice.

Related Concepts:

• Вор (thief)
• Кража (theft)
• Преступление (crime)