Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'repentance'

English Word: repentance

Key Russian Translations:

• раскаяние [rɐskɐˈjanʲije] - [Formal, commonly used in literary and reflective contexts]
• покаяние [pɐkɐˈjanʲije] - [Religious or spiritual contexts, often in Orthodox Christianity]

Frequency: Medium (This word appears regularly in literature, religious texts, and discussions of morality, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves abstract concepts and requires understanding of emotional or ethical nuances. For 'раскаяние', it's B1; for 'покаяние', it may be B2 due to its religious connotations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

раскаяние: [rɐskɐˈjanʲije]

покаяние: [pɐkɐˈjanʲije]

Note on раскаяние: The stress falls on the third syllable ('ja'), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to the soft 'я' sound. Pronounce it with a clear rolled 'r' at the beginning.

Note on покаяние: Similar stress pattern; the 'о' is pronounced as a short 'o', and the word may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The act of feeling sincere regret or remorse for one's wrongdoing (general sense).

Translation(s) & Context:

• раскаяние - Used in everyday reflective or literary contexts, such as personal growth or moral dilemmas.
• покаяние - Applied in religious or formal settings, like confessions or spiritual redemption.

Usage Examples:

• Он испытывает настоящее раскаяние за свои ошибки и стремится исправиться.

  He feels genuine repentance for his mistakes and strives to make amends.

• После долгих размышлений, она пришла к покаянию и исповедалась в церкви.

  After much reflection, she came to repentance and confessed in church.

• В романе главный герой переживает глубокое раскаяние, которое изменяет его жизнь.

  In the novel, the main character experiences profound repentance that changes his life.

• Молодой человек выразил покаяние перед семьей, признав свои проступки.

  The young man expressed repentance to his family, admitting his wrongdoings.

• Раскаяние часто приводит к позитивным изменениям, как в случае с этим персонажем.

  Repentance often leads to positive changes, as in the case of this character.

Religious or spiritual connotation (specific to faith-based contexts).

Translation(s) & Context:

• покаяние - Primarily used in Orthodox Christian practices, emphasizing confession and atonement.
• раскаяние - Can overlap but is less formal, suitable for secular discussions of regret.

Usage Examples:

• В русской традиции покаяние является ключевым элементом духовного роста.

  In Russian tradition, repentance is a key element of spiritual growth.

• Он обратился к Богу с покаянием, чтобы обрести прощение.

  He turned to God with repentance to seek forgiveness.

• Раскаяние героя в фильме символизирует его внутреннее преображение.

  The hero's repentance in the film symbolizes his inner transformation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'раскаяние' and 'покаяние' are neuter nouns in the third declension group, which means they follow standard patterns for Russian neuter nouns. They are indeclinable in the sense that their stem does not change drastically, but they do inflect for case and number.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular inflections, making them relatively straightforward for learners, but pay attention to the soft endings in cases like Dative and Instrumental.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сожаление [sɐʐɐˈlʲenʲije] - Similar to regret, but less intense; used for milder remorse.
  • пожелание [pɐʐɨˈlʲenʲije] - Rare variant, implying a wish for change after remorse.
• Antonyms:
  • безразличие [bʲɪzˈrazlʲɪtɕɪje] - Indifference, lacking any regret.
  • гордость [ˈɡordəstʲ] - Pride, which opposes the humility in repentance.

Related Phrases:

• испытывать раскаяние - To experience repentance; used in contexts of personal reflection or therapy.
• покаяние перед Богом - Repentance before God; a phrase common in religious settings, implying confession.
• глубокое раскаяние - Deep repentance; emphasizes intensity in emotional narratives.

Usage Notes:

'Repentance' translates most accurately to 'раскаяние' in general English contexts, but choose 'покаяние' for religious or spiritual discussions, as it carries a stronger connotation of atonement in Russian Orthodox culture. Be mindful of the formal tone; these words are rarely used in casual speech. Grammatically, they function as abstract nouns and can be modified by adjectives (e.g., 'глубокое раскаяние'). When selecting between translations, consider the context: 'раскаяние' for secular regret and 'покаяние' for faith-based remorse.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'раскаяние' with 'сожаление': English learners often use 'сожаление' (regret) interchangeably, but it's milder. Error: "Я сожалею за свои грехи" (incorrect for deep repentance). Correct: "Я испытываю раскаяние за свои грехи." Explanation: 'Раскаяние' implies a transformative regret, while 'сожаление' is more superficial.
• Improper inflection: Forgetting to change cases, e.g., using nominative in all contexts. Error: "О раскаяние" (wrong; should be genitive). Correct: "О раскаянии". Explanation: Always adjust for case to fit sentence structure in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, particularly within the Orthodox Christian tradition, 'покаяние' is deeply tied to concepts of sin, confession, and redemption. It often appears in literature like Dostoevsky's works, where repentance symbolizes moral rebirth. This reflects Russia's historical emphasis on spiritual introspection, differing from more individualistic Western views of regret.

Related Concepts:

• грех [ɡrʲex] - Sin
• прощение [prɐˈʂenʲije] - Forgiveness
• духовный рост [ˈduχɐvnɨj rost] - Spiritual growth