Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'reprisal'

English Word: reprisal

Key Russian Translations:

• репресалия [rʲɪ.prʲɪˈsa.lʲɪ.jə] - [Formal, used in legal or international contexts]
• возмездие [vɐz.mʲɪˈzdʲje] - [Formal, often in moral or retaliatory contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, news, or historical discussions, but not in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of nuanced vocabulary and formal Russian structures; varies slightly by translation, with 'репресалия' potentially more advanced due to its specificity)

Pronunciation (Russian):

репресалия: [rʲɪ.prʲɪˈsa.lʲɪ.jə]

возмездие: [vɐz.mʲɪˈzdʲje]

Note on репресалия: The stress falls on the third syllable ('sa'), which can be tricky for learners due to the consonant clusters; pronounce with a soft 'r' and 'l' sounds typical in Russian.

Note on возмездие: Emphasize the 'zd' as a single sound; it's a common pattern in Russian words ending in -ие.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: An act of retaliation or revenge, often in response to an injury or wrong, as in military or legal contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• репресалия - Used in formal or international settings, such as discussions of war crimes or diplomatic responses.
• возмездие - Applied in broader contexts, including moral or ethical retaliation, like in literature or everyday arguments.

Usage Examples:

• Правительства часто прибегают к репресалиям в ответ на вражеские атаки.

  Governments often resort to reprisals in response to enemy attacks.

• В истории известны случаи, когда возмездие приводило к эскалации конфликта.

  In history, reprisal has often led to the escalation of conflict.

• Эта репресалия была частью стратегии сдерживания агрессии.

  This reprisal was part of a strategy to deter aggression.

• Возмездие за предательство может быть как юридическим, так и моральным.

  Reprisal for betrayal can be both legal and moral.

• В фильме показано, как герой ищет возмездие за смерть семьи.

  In the film, the hero seeks reprisal for the death of his family.

Meaning 2: A counteraction or punitive measure, especially in non-violent or symbolic forms.

Translation(s) & Context:

• репресалия - Common in political or economic contexts, such as sanctions or diplomatic rebukes.
• возмездие - Used metaphorically in personal or social situations, like responding to insults.

Usage Examples:

• Экономические репресалии были введены в ответ на торговые нарушения.

  Economic reprisals were imposed in response to trade violations.

• Его возмездие выразилось в публичном осуждении обидчика.

  His reprisal took the form of publicly condemning the offender.

• В международном праве репресалия должна быть пропорциональной.

  In international law, reprisal must be proportional.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. 'Репресалия' is a feminine noun (3rd declension), while 'возмездие' is a neuter noun. Russian nouns inflect based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table for their key inflections:

Note: These words do not have plural forms in most contexts, as they refer to abstract concepts. Inflections follow standard Russian patterns without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • месть (vengeance; more emotional and personal than возмездие)
  • отплата (retribution; used in contexts of justice or compensation)
• Antonyms:
  • прощение (forgiveness; implies letting go rather than retaliating)
  • снисхождение (leniency; opposite in legal or moral contexts)

Related Phrases:

• Акт возмездия - An act of reprisal; used in narratives or legal discussions to describe retaliatory actions.
• Меры репресалий - Measures of reprisal; common in diplomatic or economic contexts, referring to countermeasures.
• Искать возмездие - To seek reprisal; often in personal stories, meaning to pursue revenge or justice.

Usage Notes:

'Репресалия' is more precise for formal or international English 'reprisal', especially in legal texts, while 'возмездие' captures the emotional or moral aspect. Choose based on context: use 'репресалия' for state-level actions and 'возмездие' for individual ones. Be mindful of Russian's case system when using these in sentences, as they must agree with prepositions and verbs. In informal speech, native speakers might opt for simpler synonyms like 'месть' to avoid overly formal language.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'репресалия' with 'репрессия' (repression, as in suppression under a regime): Incorrect: "Он применил репрессию за кражу" (wrong context). Correct: "Он применил репресалию за кражу" if it's retaliatory, not systematic. Explanation: 'Репрессия' implies ongoing oppression, while 'репресалия' is a specific response.
• Using the wrong case: Incorrect: "Из-за возмездие" (should be genitive). Correct: "Из-за возмездия". Explanation: Russian requires proper case agreement, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, words like 'репресалия' and 'возмездие' evoke memories of events such as Stalin's Great Purge, where reprisals were state-sanctioned. This adds a layer of historical weight, making these terms not just linguistic but emotionally charged in discussions of justice and retribution.

Related Concepts:

• санкции (sanctions)
• месть (vengeance)
• отместка (retaliation in a minor sense)