Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'succour'

English Word: succour

Key Russian Translations:

• помощь /ˈpo.məʃʲ.tʲ/ - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literary, formal, and emergency contexts, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and basic formal vocabulary in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

помощь: /ˈpo.məʃʲ.tʲ/

Note on помощь: The stress is on the first syllable (/ˈpo/), and the 'ш' sound is a soft 'sh' as in 'sheen'. Be mindful of the palatalized 'tʲ' at the end, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Assistance or aid provided in times of distress or need.

Translation(s) & Context:

• помощь - Used in formal or emergency situations, such as humanitarian aid or support in crises.

Usage Examples:

• В трудную минуту друзья оказали ему помощь.

  In a difficult moment, friends provided him with succour.

• Правительственные организации предлагают помощь пострадавшим от наводнения.

  Government organizations offer succour to those affected by the flood.

• Её слова утешения и помощь помогли ему преодолеть депрессию.

  Her words of comfort and succour helped him overcome depression.

• Международная помощь была отправлена в зону конфликта для спасения жизней.

  International succour was sent to the conflict zone to save lives.

• Врачи предоставили медицинскую помощь раненым солдатам на поле боя.

  Doctors provided medical succour to the wounded soldiers on the battlefield.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Помощь" is a feminine noun in the third declension, which means it undergoes regular declension based on case and number. It is invariant in plural forms in some contexts but changes in singular cases. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is often used in singular form and does not have irregular changes, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • поддержка (podderzhka) - More general support, often emotional or financial.
  • спасение (spaseniye) - Implies rescue from immediate danger, with a connotation of urgency.
• Antonyms:
  • вред (vred) - Harm or damage.
  • препятствие (prepyatstviye) - Obstacle or hindrance.

Related Phrases:

• оказать помощь - To provide succour; commonly used in contexts of immediate assistance, e.g., in emergencies.
• нужда в помощи - Need for succour; refers to a situation requiring aid.
• международная помощь - International succour; often in humanitarian or diplomatic scenarios.

Usage Notes:

"Помощь" directly corresponds to "succour" in formal English contexts, emphasizing aid in distress. It is typically used in written or official Russian rather than casual conversation. When choosing between synonyms like "поддержка", opt for "помощь" if the aid is tangible or crisis-related. Grammatically, always ensure it agrees in case with its modifiers, e.g., "оказать помощь" in the accusative case. English learners should note that Russian often pairs this word with verbs like "оказать" (to render) for a more dynamic expression.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "помощь" with "поддержка": Learners might use "поддержка" when "помощь" is needed for immediate aid. Incorrect: "Я дал поддержку в аварии" (I gave support in the accident). Correct: "Я оказал помощь в аварии" (I provided succour in the accident). Explanation: "Поддержка" implies ongoing support, while "помощь" is for acute situations.
• Improper declension: Forgetting to change the case, e.g., saying "нужда в помощь" instead of "нужда в помощи". Explanation: The genitive case is required after prepositions like "в", so always decline based on context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "помощь" often ties into communal values, such as mutual aid in rural or historical contexts (e.g., during wars or natural disasters). It reflects the Russian emphasis on collective responsibility, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works, where succour symbolizes human resilience and solidarity.

Related Concepts:

• спасатель (spasatel) - Rescuer
• поддержка (podderzhka) - Support
• взаимопомощь (vzaimopomosch) - Mutual aid