Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'shackle'

English Word: shackle

Key Russian Translations:

• Оковы /ɐˈkovɨ/ - [Formal, Plural, Often used in literary or historical contexts]
• Цепи /ˈt͡sʲe.pʲi/ - [Informal, Plural, Common in everyday or descriptive speech]
• Сковывать /skɐˈvɨvətʲ/ - [Formal, Verb form, Used when referring to the action of restraining]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation; they appear more in literature, historical texts, or metaphorical expressions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and noun/verb inflections, which can be challenging for learners beyond basic levels. For 'сковывать' as a verb, it may reach B2-C1 due to conjugation complexities.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Оковы: /ɐˈkovɨ/

Цепи: /ˈt͡sʲe.pʲi/

Сковывать: /skɐˈvɨvətʲ/

Note on Оковы: The stress falls on the second syllable, which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'в' sound; pronounce it with a clear vowel reduction in unstressed syllables.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A metal fastening, usually one of a pair, for the wrist or ankle of a prisoner (Noun form).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Оковы - Used in formal, literary, or historical contexts to describe physical restraints, such as in prisons or metaphors for oppression.
• Цепи - Applied in more informal or descriptive settings, like storytelling or modern discussions about captivity.

Usage Examples:

• Заключённый был закован в оковы и не мог пошевелиться.

  The prisoner was shackled and could not move.

• В музее выставлены древние цепи, напоминающие о былых оковах рабства.

  In the museum, ancient chains are displayed, reminding of the former shackles of slavery.

• Эти цепи на ногах символизируют свободу, которую он потерял.

  These shackles on his legs symbolize the freedom he lost.

• В фильме герой сбрасывает оковы, чтобы спастись.

  In the movie, the hero sheds his shackles to escape.

2. To restrain or restrict someone or something (Verb form).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Сковывать - Used in formal or metaphorical contexts, such as describing emotional or physical restrictions, often in literature or philosophical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Страх сковывает его движения, не давая действовать решительно.

  Fear shackles his movements, preventing him from acting decisively.

• Общество часто сковывает творчество строгими правилами.

  Society often shackles creativity with strict rules.

• Эти традиции сковывают молодёжь, ограничивая их выборы.

  These traditions shackle the youth, limiting their choices.

• Война сковывает экономику страны на годы.

  War shackles a country's economy for years.

• Его прошлое сковывает настоящее, не позволяя двигаться вперёд.

  His past shackles his present, not allowing him to move forward.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'Оковы' (a feminine plural noun): This word follows the standard declension pattern for third-declension nouns in Russian. It is typically used in plural form and has irregular features due to its historical roots.

For 'Цепи' (also a feminine plural noun): Similar to 'Оковы', it follows standard plural declension with no singular form in common usage.

For 'Сковывать' (a verb): This is an imperfective verb that conjugates regularly. Example conjugations in present tense:

Note: These words do not have singular forms in their primary usages, making them invariant in that aspect.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Узы (Uzy) - Often used for metaphorical bindings, with a connotation of emotional ties.
  • Кандалы (Kandaly) - Similar to shackles, but more specific to leg irons; differs by being more archaic.
  • Ограничения (Ogranicheniya) - For the verb sense, implying restrictions without physical connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • Свобода (Svoboda)
  • Освобождение (Osvobozhdenie)

Related Phrases:

• В оковах рабства - In the shackles of slavery; used metaphorically to describe oppressive conditions.
• Сковать цепями - To shackle with chains; refers to physical restraint in historical or dramatic contexts.
• Разбить оковы - To break the shackles; symbolizes liberation or overcoming restrictions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, translations like 'Оковы' and 'Цепи' are more common in literary or historical contexts, directly corresponding to the physical meaning of 'shackle' in English. For the verb form 'Сковывать', it's ideal for abstract uses, such as emotional or societal restrictions. English speakers should note that Russian often requires the perfective aspect for completed actions (e.g., 'Сковать' as the perfective pair). Choose 'Оковы' for formal writing and 'Цепи' for informal speech; always consider the plural form to match natural Russian expression. Grammatically, these nouns require appropriate case agreement with prepositions.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'Оковы' in singular form, e.g., saying "Окова" instead of the correct plural.
  Correct: Always use plural; explanation: Russian nouns like this are inherently plural and do not have a singular counterpart in standard usage.
• Mistake: Confusing 'Сковывать' with 'Сковать' (perfective), leading to tense errors, e.g., "Я сковываю дверь" when meaning a completed action.
  Correct: Use 'Сковать' for finished actions; explanation: English speakers often overlook aspect in Russian verbs, which changes the meaning subtly.
• Mistake: Over-literal translation in metaphors, e.g., translating "shackles of debt" as "Оковы долга" when 'Узы долга' might be more idiomatic.
  Correct: Opt for 'Узы' in metaphorical contexts; explanation: This ensures the phrase sounds natural and culturally appropriate in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'Оковы' often evoke images from literature, such as in Dostoevsky's works, where shackles symbolize the oppression of serfdom or imprisonment. This reflects Russia's historical context of tsarist rule and Soviet-era restrictions, adding a layer of emotional depth to metaphorical uses in modern discussions about freedom and human rights.

Related Concepts:

• Свобода (Freedom)
• Рабство (Slavery)
• Ограничение (Restriction)
• Освобождение (Liberation)