Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'shroud'

English Word: shroud

Key Russian Translations:

• саван [ˈsavan] - [Formal, used in contexts related to death and burial]
• покров [pɐˈkrof] - [Formal, metaphorical sense for a covering or veil]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in literary, religious, or historical contexts.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level; requires understanding of Russian nouns and their inflections, as well as cultural connotations related to death.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

саван: [ˈsavan]

покров: [pɐˈkrof]

Note on саван: The stress is on the first syllable; ensure to pronounce the 'a' as in "father" for accuracy. For покров, the stress is on the second syllable, and the 'o' is a mid-back rounded vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A cloth or garment used to wrap a dead body

Translation(s) & Context:

• саван - Typically used in formal, religious, or funerary contexts, such as Orthodox Christian traditions.
• покров - Used more metaphorically for a covering, but can apply in burial contexts with a sense of concealment or protection.

Usage Examples:

• Тело усопшего было завернуто в саван перед погребением.

  The deceased's body was wrapped in a shroud before burial.

• В старинных обрядах саван символизирует переход в загробный мир.

  In ancient rituals, the shroud symbolizes the transition to the afterlife.

• Церковный покров иногда используется как саван в скромных похоронах.

  The church veil is sometimes used as a shroud in modest funerals.

• Саван из чистого льна подготовили для церемонии.

  A shroud made of pure linen was prepared for the ceremony.

• Покров, служивший саваном, был украшен традиционными узорами.

  The veil, serving as a shroud, was decorated with traditional patterns.

Metaphorical sense: Something that covers or conceals

Translation(s) & Context:

• покров - Common in literary or poetic contexts to mean a metaphorical cover, such as mystery or secrecy.

Usage Examples:

• Туман опустился как покров над городом, скрывая его от глаз.

  The fog descended like a shroud over the city, hiding it from view.

• Его тайны окутаны покровом молчания.

  His secrets are enveloped in a shroud of silence.

• Покров лжи не может скрыть правду навсегда.

  A shroud of lies cannot hide the truth forever.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "саван" and "покров" are masculine nouns in Russian. "Саван" follows the second declension pattern with regular inflections, while "покров" is also second declension but can vary slightly in poetic use. Below is a table for their nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, instrumental, and prepositional cases in singular and plural forms.

Note: These are regular inflections; no irregular forms are common for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • покрывало (pokryvalo) - A general cover, often used interchangeably in metaphorical contexts.
  • завеса (zavesa) - Specifically for a curtain or veil, with subtle differences in implying separation.
• Antonyms:
  • открытие (otkrytie) - Revelation or uncovering, contrasting the idea of concealment.
  • проявление (proyavlenie) - Manifestation, opposing the hiding aspect.

Related Phrases:

• Завернуть в саван - To wrap in a shroud; used in literal burial contexts.
• Покров тайны - Shroud of mystery; a metaphorical phrase for something hidden.
• Снять покров - To lift the shroud; meaning to reveal or uncover something.

Usage Notes:

"Саван" directly corresponds to the literal English meaning of "shroud" as a burial cloth, and it's most appropriate in formal or religious settings, such as Russian Orthodox funerals. "Покров" is better for metaphorical uses, like concealing ideas or emotions, and may not always fit the death-related context. When choosing between translations, consider the formality: "саван" is more neutral and specific, while "покров" adds a poetic flair. Be mindful of Russian grammar; these nouns require appropriate case endings based on sentence structure, e.g., genitive for possession.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "саван" in everyday metaphorical contexts, e.g., saying "саван тайны" instead of "покров тайны". Correct: "Покров тайны" is more idiomatic for "shroud of mystery". Explanation: "Саван" is too literal and evokes death, which can sound inappropriate or confusing.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., using "саван" in genitive as "саван" instead of "савана". Correct: Always adjust for case, like "в саване" for "in a shroud". Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, and beginners often overlook this, leading to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, particularly within the Orthodox Christian tradition, a "саван" holds deep symbolic meaning as part of funeral rites, often representing purity and the soul's journey. It may be embroidered with religious icons, reflecting themes of resurrection and eternal life, as seen in literature like Dostoevsky's works where death and spirituality intertwine.

Related Concepts:

• гроб (grob) - Coffin
• похороны (pohorony) - Funeral
• тайна (tajna) - Mystery