Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'retribution'

English Word: retribution

Key Russian Translations:

• возмездие (/vɐzmʲɪˈzdʲje/) - [Formal, often used in legal or moral contexts]
• наказание (/nəkɐˈzanʲɪje/) - [Formal, more general punishment, can be informal in everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, legal discussions, and philosophical texts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and noun declensions, though basic forms are accessible to learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

возмездие: /vɐzmʲɪˈzdʲje/ (The stress is on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'z' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

наказание: /nəkɐˈzanʲɪje/ (Stress on the third syllable; the 'a' in the first syllable is reduced in fast speech.)

Note on возмездие: This word has a soft 'з' (z) that blends into the following vowel, making it sound more fluid than similar English words.

Note on наказание: In casual speech, the initial 'н' (n) may be devoiced, especially in northern Russian dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The act of punishing someone for a wrongdoing, often implying justice or revenge

Translation(s) & Context:

• возмездие - Used in formal, philosophical, or legal contexts to emphasize moral retribution, e.g., in discussions of crime and justice.
• наказание - Applied in everyday or educational settings for general punishment, without the connotation of inevitability.

Usage Examples:

• В истории часто встречается идея возмездия за преступления против человечности.

  In history, the idea of retribution for crimes against humanity is often encountered.

• Суд вынес приговор, основанный на принципе возмездия.

  The court issued a verdict based on the principle of retribution.

• Родители применили наказание, чтобы предотвратить повторные ошибки.

  The parents applied punishment to prevent repeated mistakes.

• В литературе возмездие часто выступает как неизбежный исход для злодеев.

  In literature, retribution often serves as the inevitable outcome for villains.

Meaning 2: A consequence or payback that is deserved, often in a non-legal sense

Translation(s) & Context:

• возмездие - In metaphorical or emotional contexts, implying a cosmic or personal balance.
• наказание - Less formal, used for everyday repercussions, like in parenting or self-reflection.

Usage Examples:

• Жизнь иногда приводит к возмездию за прошлые ошибки.

  Life sometimes leads to retribution for past mistakes.

• Его неудачи стали своеобразным возмездием за гордыню.

  His failures became a form of retribution for his arrogance.

• Дети иногда видят наказание в виде потери привилегий.

  Children sometimes see punishment in the form of losing privileges.

• В повседневной жизни наказание может быть мягким, как предупреждение.

  In everyday life, punishment can be mild, like a warning.

• Возмездие в отношениях часто проявляется через эмоциональную отстраненность.

  Retribution in relationships often manifests as emotional detachment.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns and follow standard Russian declension patterns for third-declension neuter nouns. Below is a table outlining the key inflections:

Note: These words are invariable in gender (neuter) and do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • месть (revenge; more emotional and personal than возмездие)
  • кара (punishment; formal, often divine or authoritative)
• Antonyms:
  • прощение (forgiveness; implies letting go rather than punishing)
  • милость (mercy; a compassionate alternative to retribution)

Related Phrases:

• Закон возмездия (Law of retribution; a phrase used in legal or philosophical contexts to describe reciprocal justice).
• Божественное наказание (Divine punishment; refers to retribution from a higher power, often in religious discussions).
• Само возмездие (Self-retribution; implies personal consequences for one's actions, with a connotation of karma).

Usage Notes:

Retribution in English often carries a sense of inevitable justice, which aligns closely with "возмездие" in Russian. Use "возмездие" for contexts involving moral or cosmic balance, such as in literature or ethics, while "наказание" is better for disciplinary or corrective scenarios. Be mindful of the formal register; these words are rarely used in casual conversation. When translating, consider the context: if retribution implies revenge, "месть" might be a closer synonym. Grammatically, always decline these nouns according to Russian case requirements to avoid errors in sentence structure.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "возмездие" with "месть": Learners might overuse "месть" for retribution, but it's more about personal revenge. Correct usage: Instead of saying "Это месть за его действия" (This is revenge for his actions) when meaning formal retribution, use "Это возмездие за его действия" (This is retribution for his actions), as it emphasizes justice over emotion.

• Forgetting declensions: English speakers often leave nouns undeclined, e.g., saying "Я думаю о возмездие" (incorrect; should be "возмездии" in prepositional case). Correct: "Я думаю о возмездии" – always check the case based on the preposition or sentence role.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "возмездие" are deeply tied to literary traditions, such as in Dostoevsky's works, where retribution often explores themes of guilt and redemption. This reflects a broader Slavic cultural emphasis on moral accountability and the idea that actions have inevitable consequences, influenced by Orthodox Christianity and historical events like the Russian Revolution.

Related Concepts:

• справедливость (justice)
• вина (guilt)
• искупление (atonement)