Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'revenge'

English Word: revenge

Key Russian Translations:

• месть [mʲesʲtʲ] - [Formal, commonly used in literary or serious contexts]
• отомщение [ɐtɐmʂʲenʲije] - [Literary or formal, often in historical or dramatic settings]

Frequency: Medium (The word is encountered in literature, media, and everyday discussions but not as frequently as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual nuances, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of Russian grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

месть: [mʲesʲtʲ]

Note on месть: The initial 'м' is palatalized, which can be tricky for English speakers; it sounds like a soft 'm' followed by 'ye'. Stress is on the first syllable.

отомщение: [ɐtɐmʂʲenʲije]

Note on отомщение: The 'щ' sound is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to 'sh' in 'sheep' but softer; stress falls on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The act of inflicting harm or injury on someone in return for a wrong or injury suffered.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Use месть in formal or narrative contexts, such as stories or discussions about justice and retribution.
• Use отомщение in more literary or poetic settings, emphasizing a planned or dramatic response.

Usage Examples:

• Его месть была холодной и расчётливой. (His revenge was cold and calculated.)

  English Translation: His revenge was cold and calculated.

• После предательства она жаждала мести. (After the betrayal, she thirsted for revenge.)

  English Translation: After the betrayal, she thirsted for revenge. (This shows emotional intensity in personal contexts.)

• В романе описывается отомщение героя за смерть отца. (The novel describes the hero's revenge for his father's death.)

  English Translation: The novel describes the hero's revenge for his father's death. (Illustrates literary usage with a plot-driven narrative.)

• Месть не принесла ему удовлетворения. (Revenge did not bring him satisfaction.)

  English Translation: Revenge did not bring him satisfaction. (Highlights a reflective or moral context.)

• Он планировал отомщение в течение многих лет. (He planned his revenge for many years.)

  English Translation: He planned his revenge for many years. (Demonstrates long-term, strategic use in advanced storytelling.)

Meaning 2: A desire or impulse to retaliate (more abstract or emotional sense).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Use месть when describing personal feelings, such as in psychology or everyday conversations about grudges.
• Use отомщение for more formal or ideological contexts, like in historical analyses.

Usage Examples:

• Жажда мести ослепила его разум. (The thirst for revenge blinded his mind.)

  English Translation: The thirst for revenge blinded his mind. (Shows psychological impact.)

• Её отомщение было мотивировано глубоким горем. (Her revenge was motivated by deep grief.)

  English Translation: Her revenge was motivated by deep grief. (Emphasizes emotional depth in formal writing.)

• Месть в этом обществе считается недостойной. (Revenge is considered unworthy in this society.)

  English Translation: Revenge is considered unworthy in this society. (Illustrates cultural or societal discussion.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For месть (feminine noun, 3rd declension), it follows standard Russian noun declension patterns. It is invariable in plural forms but changes by case in singular.

For отомщение (neuter noun), it is less variable but follows 2nd declension rules:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • возмездие (retaliation; often used in legal contexts, implying justice)
  • отплата (payback; more neutral, everyday usage)
• Antonyms:
  • прощение (forgiveness; contrasts by promoting reconciliation)
  • милосердие (mercy; highlights compassion over retribution)

Related Phrases:

• Жажда мести (Thirst for revenge; an intense desire for retaliation, often in emotional narratives.)
• Кровная месть (Blood revenge; refers to familial or tribal retribution, with cultural implications in historical contexts.)
• Отомстить за кого-то (To avenge someone; a phrase used in stories of justice or heroism.)

Usage Notes:

While "revenge" in English can be a noun or verb, Russian translations like "месть" are primarily nouns. Choose "месть" for straightforward, emotional contexts and "отомщение" for more formal or literary ones. Be mindful of gender and case agreements in sentences; for example, "месть" requires feminine adjectives. In conversational Russian, these words are less common than in written forms, so they might sound dramatic or outdated in casual speech.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "месть" with "мщение" (another synonym): Learners might overuse "мщение" in modern contexts where "месть" is more appropriate. Incorrect: "Я хочу мщение" (in informal speech). Correct: "Я хочу мести" – Explanation: "Мщение" is more archaic; stick to "месть" for clarity.
• Misapplying cases: Forgetting to change "месть" in genitive (e.g., saying "ради месть" instead of "ради мести"). Incorrect: ради месть. Correct: ради мести – This error stems from not declining nouns properly.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, themes of revenge are prominent in literature, such as in Fyodor Dostoevsky's works (e.g., "Crime and Punishment"), where it often explores moral dilemmas and the futility of retribution. Historically, concepts like "blood revenge" in rural or Cossack traditions highlight how revenge was once a form of justice in isolated communities, influencing modern perceptions of honor and vengeance.

Related Concepts:

• справедливость (justice)
• мщение (vengeance, a variant form)
• прощение (forgiveness)