Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'recollection'

English Word: recollection

Key Russian Translations:

• воспоминание [vɐspəmʲɪˈnanʲɪje] - [Noun, Formal, Singular; used in reflective or literary contexts]
• память [ˈpamʲɪtʲ] - [Noun, Informal; broader term, often used when referring to general memories]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, conversations about personal history, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and basic sentence structures; for 'воспоминание', it's B1; for 'память', it's A2 due to its simplicity)

Pronunciation (Russian):

воспоминание: [vɐspəmʲɪˈnanʲɪje]

Note on воспоминание: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ('na'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'n'. Pronounce it with a soft 'm' sound.

память: [ˈpamʲɪtʲ]

Note on память: The final 't' is soft and devoiced; it's easier for beginners but watch for the stress on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The act of remembering something or a specific memory.

Translation(s) & Context:

• воспоминание - Used in formal, introspective contexts, such as writing or discussing personal experiences.
• память - Applied in everyday contexts, like referring to memory in general or historical remembrance.

Usage Examples:

• Я часто предаюсь воспоминаниям о нашем первом путешествии.

  I often indulge in recollections of our first trip.

• Его воспоминания о войне помогли написать книгу.

  His recollections of the war helped write the book.

• Память о детстве всегда вызывает улыбку.

  Recollection of childhood always brings a smile.

• В старости воспоминания становятся ценнее, чем настоящее.

  In old age, recollections become more valuable than the present.

• Её память сохранила мельчайшие детали того события.

  Her recollection retained the tiniest details of that event.

2. A collection of memories or reminiscences (e.g., in a narrative sense).

Translation(s) & Context:

• воспоминание - Often used in literary or poetic contexts to denote a series of memories.

Usage Examples:

• Эта книга полна теплых воспоминаний автора.

  This book is full of the author's warm recollections.

• Воспоминания о былых днях оживили нашу встречу.

  Recollections of bygone days enlivened our meeting.

• Память семьи передается через устные воспоминания.

  Family recollections are passed down through oral memory.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'воспоминание' and 'память' are nouns. 'Воспоминание' is a neuter noun with regular declensions, while 'память' is feminine and also follows standard patterns. Below is a table for 'воспоминание' (as the primary translation) showing its declensions in singular and plural forms.

For 'память', it is a feminine noun with similar regular declensions: Nominative singular 'память', plural 'памяти' (genitive), etc. It does not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • память (more general, often interchangeable in casual speech)
  • воспоминания (plural form, emphasizing multiple recollections; slight nuance for collective memories)
• Antonyms:
  • забвение (forgetfulness; used when the concept is the opposite of remembering)

Related Phrases:

• свежие воспоминания - Fresh recollections; used for recent memories in casual conversations.
• глубокие воспоминания - Deep recollections; implies emotional depth, often in psychological contexts.
• разделить воспоминания - To share recollections; a common phrase in social settings for storytelling.

Usage Notes:

'Воспоминание' is a more precise translation for 'recollection' in formal or literary English, as it conveys a sense of deliberate remembering, while 'память' is better for everyday use when referring to general memory. Be mindful of gender and case in Russian sentences; for example, use the genitive case after prepositions like 'о' (about). In informal speech, Russians might prefer 'память' to avoid sounding overly poetic. When choosing between translations, opt for 'воспоминание' in written or academic contexts for accuracy.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'воспоминание' with 'память' and use them interchangeably, but 'память' can imply a broader cognitive function. Error: Saying "Моя память о поездке" when meaning a specific event (correct: "Мое воспоминание о поездке"). Explanation: Use 'воспоминание' for singular, event-based recollections to maintain precision.

• Miscounting declensions, e.g., using nominative 'воспоминание' in genitive contexts. Error: "Я думаю о воспоминание" (incorrect; should be "о воспоминании"). Explanation: Always adjust for case; this is a common grammatical slip for beginners.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, recollections like 'воспоминания' often carry deep emotional weight, especially in literature and family traditions. For instance, Russian authors like Tolstoy frequently explore personal recollections to reflect on history and identity, emphasizing how memories shape national heritage.

Related Concepts:

• память
• восприятие
• история