Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'remorse'

English Word: remorse

Key Russian Translations:

• раскаяние [rɐskɐˈjænʲɪje] - [Formal, used in literary or psychological contexts]
• сожаление [səʐɐˈlʲenʲɪje] - [Informal, for milder regret]
• угрызения совести [uɡrɨˈzʲenʲɪjə sɐˈvʲesʲtʲi] - [Formal, emphasizing moral guilt]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, psychological discussions, and everyday conversations about emotions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of nuanced emotional vocabulary and Russian noun declensions; 'раскаяние' may be slightly harder at B2-C1 due to its formal connotations, while 'сожаление' is more accessible at B2).

Pronunciation (Russian):

раскаяние: [rɐskɐˈjænʲɪje]

Note on раскаяние: The stress falls on the third syllable ('jænʲ'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'j' sound; it's pronounced with a palatalized 'n'.

сожаление: [səʐɐˈlʲenʲɪje]

Note on сожаление: The 'zh' sound ([ʐ]) is similar to the 's' in 'measure'; stress is on the third syllable, and the word often softens in casual speech.

угрызения совести: [uɡrɨˈzʲenʲɪjə sɐˈvʲesʲtʲi]

Note on угрызения совести: This is a phrase; focus on the rolled 'r' in 'угрызения' and the soft 's' in 'совести'. It's compound, so practice as a unit.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A feeling of deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed

Translation(s) & Context:

• раскаяние - Used in formal, introspective, or literary contexts to convey profound, often moral remorse, such as in confessions or self-reflection.
• сожаление - Applied in everyday, informal situations for lighter regret, like missing an opportunity, but can overlap with remorse in casual speech.
• угрызения совести - Employed for intense, conscience-driven guilt, often in ethical or dramatic scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Он испытывает раскаяние за свои прошлые ошибки.

  He feels remorse for his past mistakes. (This example shows 'раскаяние' in a reflective, personal context.)

• После ссоры она ощутила угрызения совести и извинилась.

  After the argument, she felt remorse and apologized. (Illustrates 'угрызения совести' in an interpersonal, emotional scenario.)

• Время не излечило его сожаления о потерянных возможностях.

  Time didn't heal his remorse about lost opportunities. (Here, 'сожаление' is used for a milder form in a life-reflection context.)

• Ребёнок выразил раскаяние, вернув украденную вещь.

  The child expressed remorse by returning the stolen item. (Demonstrates 'раскаяние' in a moral or corrective situation.)

• Её угрызения совести не давали покоя ночами.

  Her remorse kept her awake at nights. (Shows 'угрызения совести' in an ongoing, psychological context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are nouns, which inflect based on case, number, and gender in Russian. 'Ракаяние' and 'сожаление' are neuter nouns, while 'угрызения' is plural and part of a phrase. Below is a table for 'раскаяние' as an example; others follow similar patterns but with variations.

For 'сожаление': Follows the same neuter noun pattern as above, with regular declensions. For 'угрызения совести': 'Угрызения' is a plural noun and declines regularly in plural forms, e.g., Genitive: угрызений совести. These are invariant in gender but change with case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сожаление (similar to remorse but milder; often used interchangeably in casual speech)
  • угрызения совести (emphasizes moral aspect; more intense than basic remorse)
  • покаяние (implies repentance, often religious)
• Antonyms:
  • радость (joy; complete opposite of remorseful feelings)
  • удовлетворение (satisfaction; no regret involved)

Related Phrases:

• испытывать раскаяние - To experience remorse (used in contexts of personal reflection or confession).
• угрызения совести не дают покоя - Remorse doesn't let one rest (common in dramatic or psychological narratives).
• чувствовать сожаление - To feel regret (a lighter phrase for everyday remorse).

Usage Notes:

'Remorse' in English often aligns with 'раскаяние' for deep, guilt-driven regret, but Russian speakers might prefer 'сожаление' in informal settings to avoid intensity. Choose based on context: formal/literary for 'раскаяние', everyday for 'сожаление'. Grammatically, these nouns require correct case agreement, e.g., with prepositions like 'о' (about) in Genitive. Be cautious with 'угрызения совести' as it's a fixed phrase, not standalone, and carries a moral connotation.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'раскаяние' with 'сожаление': Learners might use 'сожаление' for deep remorse, which sounds too mild. Correct: Use 'раскаяние' for profound guilt. Example of error: "Я испытываю сожаление за преступление" (implies light regret); Correct: "Я испытываю раскаяние за преступление" (conveys moral depth).

• Incorrect declension: Forgetting to change cases, e.g., saying "о раскаяние" instead of "о раскаянии". Error: "Он думает о раскаяние" (grammatically wrong); Correct: "Он думает о раскаянии" (Genitive case).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'раскаяние' are deeply rooted in literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's characters often grapple with remorse in works like 'Crime and Punishment'), reflecting a tradition of introspection and moral accountability. This can influence modern usage, where remorse is tied to personal or societal redemption rather than just individual guilt.

Related Concepts:

• вина (guilt)
• покаяние (repentance)
• стыд (shame)