Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'redeem'

English Word: redeem

Key Russian Translations:

• искупить [isˈkupʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, used in moral or spiritual contexts]
• выкупить [vɨˈkupʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, used in financial or transactional contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, business, and everyday conversations, but not as frequent as basic verbs)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding verb conjugations and contextual nuances; искупить may be slightly more advanced due to its abstract connotations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

искупить: [isˈkupʲɪtʲ]

выкупить: [vɨˈkupʲɪtʲ]

Note on искупить: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'п' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Note on выкупить: Pronounce the 'ы' as a high back unrounded vowel, similar to the 'i' in "bit" but more centralized.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To gain or regain possession of something in exchange for payment (e.g., redeeming a voucher)

Translation(s) & Context:

• выкупить - Used in formal or commercial settings, such as buying back property or exchanging coupons.

Usage Examples:

• Я выкупил старый дом у банка после уплаты долга.

  I redeemed the old house from the bank after paying off the debt.

• Можно выкупить подарочный сертификат в магазине до истечения срока.

  You can redeem the gift certificate at the store before it expires.

• Банк позволяет выкупить акции по текущей рыночной цене.

  The bank allows you to redeem shares at the current market price.

• После выкупа заложенного имущества, оно возвращается владельцу.

  After redeeming the pledged property, it is returned to the owner.

To compensate for faults or make up for something negative (e.g., redeeming one's reputation)

Translation(s) & Context:

• искупить - Used in emotional, moral, or personal development contexts, often implying atonement or self-improvement.

Usage Examples:

• Он пытался искупить свои ошибки, работая на благо общества.

  He tried to redeem his mistakes by working for the benefit of society.

• Через тяжелый труд она искупила прошлые промахи и восстановила доверие.

  Through hard work, she redeemed her past failures and regained trust.

• Герой романа искупил вину, спасая друзей в критический момент.

  The novel's hero redeemed his guilt by saving his friends in a critical moment.

• Многие люди искупают грехи через волонтерскую деятельность.

  Many people redeem their sins through volunteer work.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "искупить" and "выкупить" are verbs of the first conjugation in Russian, which means they follow regular patterns but have specific inflections based on tense, aspect, and person. Russian verbs often distinguish between perfective (completed action) and imperfective (ongoing action) aspects. Here, "искупить" and "выкупить" are perfective forms.

For "искупить" (perfective):

For "выкупить" (perfective), it follows a similar pattern:

These verbs are regular, but pay attention to aspect changes in context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • оправдать (opravdat') - To justify or vindicate, often with a legal connotation; differs from искупить by focusing on proof rather than atonement.
  • возместить (vozmesit') - To compensate, more financial like выкупить.
• Antonyms:
  • потерять (poteryat') - To lose, opposite of regaining possession.
  • уничтожить (unichtozhit') - To destroy, contrasting with moral redemption.

Related Phrases:

• искупить вину - To atone for guilt; used in contexts of personal redemption or apology.
• выкупить долг - To redeem a debt; common in financial discussions.
• искупить ошибки молодости - To make up for youthful mistakes; implies reflection and growth.

Usage Notes:

"Redeem" in English often carries both literal and metaphorical meanings, which align closely with "искупить" for the former and "выкупить" for the latter. Choose "искупить" for emotional or ethical scenarios, as it's more abstract, while "выкупить" suits tangible exchanges. Be mindful of Russian's aspect system: use perfective forms like these for completed actions. In formal writing or speech, these verbs are preferred, but in casual contexts, simpler alternatives might be used.

Common Errors:

• Confusing aspect: English learners often use the imperfective form (e.g., "искупать") incorrectly when a perfective is needed. Error: "Я искупать свою вину" (incorrect, as it's imperfective). Correct: "Я искупил свою вину." Explanation: Perfective indicates completion, which fits "redeem" in most cases.
• Misapplying translations: Using "выкупить" for moral redemption, e.g., "Я выкупить свою репутацию" (error). Correct: "Я искупил свою репутацию." Explanation: "Выкупить" is transactional, not emotional.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "искупить" often evoke themes from literature and history, such as in Dostoevsky's works where redemption through suffering is a motif. This reflects Orthodox Christian influences, emphasizing atonement and moral renewal, which can add depth to everyday usage beyond the literal English meaning.

Related Concepts:

• спасение (spaseniye) - Salvation
• возрождение (vozrozhdeniye) - Revival or rebirth
• компенсация (kompensatsiya) - Compensation