Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'reprehend'

English Word: reprehend

Key Russian Translations:

• осуждать [ɐˈsudʲɪtʲ] - [Formal; used in serious or official contexts, such as legal or moral discussions]
• упрекать [ʊˈprʲɛkətʲ] - [Informal; often in everyday conversations or personal relationships]
• критиковать [krʲɪˈtʲikəvətʲ] - [Semi-formal; broader critique, but can imply reprehension]

Frequency: Medium (This verb is commonly encountered in literature, media, and daily speech, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "говорить".)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and nuanced contexts. For 'осуждать', it might lean towards B2; for 'упрекать', it could be A2-B1 for beginners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

осуждать: [ɐˈsudʲɪtʲ]

Note on осуждать: The stress falls on the second syllable ("sud"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's mobile stress patterns. Pronunciation can vary slightly in fast speech.

упрекать: [ʊˈprʲɛkətʲ]

Note on упрекать: The initial "у" is pronounced as a short [ʊ], and the word has a soft consonant, which might require practice for accurate articulation.

критиковать: [krʲɪˈtʲikəvətʲ]

Note on критиковать: Pay attention to the palatalized "тʲ", which softens the sound, a key feature in Russian phonetics.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: To criticize or rebuke someone severely, often for moral or ethical reasons.

Translation(s) & Context:

• осуждать - Used in formal settings, such as public speeches or written critiques, to express strong disapproval.
• упрекать - Applied in informal, interpersonal contexts, like family discussions, to point out faults gently or reproachfully.
• критиковать - Employed in a wider range of contexts, including professional reviews, but can overlap with reprehension when intense.

Usage Examples:

• Родители осуждают детей за их неуважительное поведение. (Parents reprehend their children for their disrespectful behavior.)

  Parents reprehend their children for their disrespectful behavior. (This shows formal usage in a familial context.)

• В обществе часто упрекают политиков за коррупцию. (In society, people often reprehend politicians for corruption.)

  In society, people often reprehend politicians for corruption. (Illustrates informal, everyday application.)

• Критики осуждают фильм за его насилие и отсутствие морали. (Critics reprehend the film for its violence and lack of morality.)

  Critics reprehend the film for its violence and lack of morality. (Demonstrates usage in media or artistic critique.)

• Друзья упрекают друг друга в шутку, но иногда это перерастает в серьёзный разговор. (Friends reprehend each other in jest, but it sometimes escalates into a serious conversation.)

  Friends reprehend each other in jest, but it sometimes escalates into a serious conversation. (Highlights playful yet potential serious contexts.)

• Суд осуждает преступника за его действия. (The court reprehends the criminal for his actions.)

  The court reprehends the criminal for his actions. (Shows legal or authoritative usage.)

Secondary Meaning: To express disapproval in a milder or indirect way, akin to reproaching.

Translation(s) & Context:

• упрекать - Best for subtle, non-aggressive reprehension in personal interactions.
• критиковать - When the criticism is constructive rather than harsh.

Usage Examples:

• Она упрекает брата за опоздание, но без гнева. (She reprehends her brother for being late, but without anger.)

  She reprehends her brother for being late, but without anger. (Example of mild, familial use.)

• В редакции критикуют статью, чтобы улучшить её. (In the editorial office, they reprehend the article to improve it.)

  In the editorial office, they reprehend the article to improve it. (Context of professional feedback.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These verbs are primarily imperfective, meaning they describe ongoing or repeated actions. Russian verbs like these follow standard conjugation patterns for first-conjugation verbs. Below is a table for 'осуждать' as an example; similar patterns apply to 'упрекать' and 'критиковать' with minor variations.

For 'упрекать', the conjugation is regular and similar. Note that these verbs do not have irregular forms, but they have perfective counterparts like 'осудить' for 'осуждать', which changes the aspect to completed action.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: критиковать (similar but often broader), порицать (to condemn formally), бранить (to scold informally)
• Antonyms: хвалить (to praise), одобрять (to approve)

Related Phrases:

• Сильно осуждать - Strongly reprehend; used for intense criticism in debates or public forums.
• Упрекать в чём-то - To reprehend someone for something; common in personal apologies or reflections.
• Критиковать конструктивно - To reprehend constructively; implies feedback aimed at improvement.

Usage Notes:

Choose 'осуждать' for formal or moral reprehension, as it carries a weightier tone similar to English 'reprehend' in serious contexts. 'Упрекать' is better for informal, everyday situations where the criticism is less severe. Be mindful of aspect in Russian: use imperfective forms like these for ongoing actions and perfective forms (e.g., 'осудить') for completed ones. In translations, 'reprehend' often aligns more closely with 'осуждать' due to its formal connotation, but context dictates the best fit. Grammar note: These verbs take the accusative case for direct objects.

Common Errors:

• Confusing imperfective and perfective forms: English learners might use 'осуждать' when 'осудить' is needed for a completed action. Error: "Я осуждать его вчера" (incorrect). Correct: "Я осудил его вчера." Explanation: 'Осуждать' is imperfective; use 'осудить' for past completed events.
• Misapplying formality: Using 'упрекать' in a formal speech, which sounds too casual. Error: "В суде упрекать обвиняемого" (too informal). Correct: "В суде осуждать обвиняемого." Explanation: Match the verb's register to the context for natural Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, reprehension like 'осуждать' often reflects a collectivist society where public criticism is used to maintain social norms. For instance, in literature and media, it's common to see characters 'осуждать' behaviors that deviate from traditional values, emphasizing community harmony over individual expression.

Related Concepts:

• критика (criticism)
• осуждение (condemnation)
• упрёк (reproach)