Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tomb'

English Word: tomb

Key Russian Translations:

• гробница /ɡrɐbˈnʲit͡sə/ - [Formal, used for ancient or monumental structures]
• могила /mɐˈɡʲilə/ - [Informal or general, often for simpler graves]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in historical, literary, or travel contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and vocabulary related to history and culture)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гробница: /ɡrɐbˈnʲit͡sə/

могила: /mɐˈɡʲilə/

Note on гробница: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the soft 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers due to its palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A burial place, often a vault or monument for the dead

Translation(s) & Context:

• гробница - Used in formal or historical contexts, such as describing ancient tombs in museums or archaeological sites.
• могила - Applied in more everyday or emotional contexts, like family graves in a cemetery.

Usage Examples:

• В музее мы увидели древнюю гробницу фараона.

  In the museum, we saw the ancient tomb of the pharaoh.

• Его могила находится на старом кладбище в Москве.

  His tomb is located in the old cemetery in Moscow.

• Гробница императора была украшена золотом и драгоценными камнями.

  The emperor's tomb was adorned with gold and precious stones.

• Мы посетили могилу великого поэта на холме.

  We visited the tomb of the great poet on the hill.

• В этой гробнице покоятся реликвии средневековой эпохи.

  In this tomb rest the relics of the medieval era.

Secondary Meaning: Figurative use, such as a place of confinement or something outdated

Translation(s) & Context:

• гробница - Metaphorically for something sealed away, like an old archive.

Usage Examples:

• Эта библиотека стала гробницей забытых книг.

  This library has become a tomb of forgotten books.

• Могила старых традиций не должна мешать прогрессу.

  The tomb of old traditions shouldn't hinder progress.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard first-declension patterns. "Гробница" and "могила" are regular and inflect based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table for "гробница" as an example; "могила" follows similar rules.

For "могила", the inflections are identical in structure. These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • усыпальница (usypal'nitsa) - More formal, often for royal or elaborate tombs.
  • погребение (pogrebenie) - Refers to the act or site of burial, with a slight emphasis on the process.
• Antonyms:
  • жизнь (zhizn') - Life, as it contrasts with death and burial.
  • рождение (rozhdenie) - Birth, representing the opposite end of existence.

Related Phrases:

• Древняя гробница (Drevnyaya grobnitsa) - Ancient tomb; used in historical discussions.
• Семейная могила (Semeynaya mogila) - Family tomb; common in contexts of genealogy or cemeteries.
• Поклониться могиле (Poklonit'sya mogile) - To pay respects at a tomb; a phrase involving cultural rituals.

Usage Notes:

"Tomb" in English often implies a more permanent or monumental structure, so "гробница" is the closest match for formal contexts, while "могила" is better for everyday graves. Be mindful of the context: in Russian, these words can carry emotional or historical weight, so use "гробница" in literary or academic settings and "могила" in personal narratives. Grammatically, always ensure agreement in gender, number, and case with surrounding words. When choosing between translations, opt for "гробница" if the tomb is ancient or elaborate, as it avoids understatement.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "гробница" with "гроб" (grob), which means "coffin" rather than a tomb structure. Error example: Saying "Это гроб фараона" instead of "Это гробница фараона." Correct usage: Use "гробница" for the burial site. Explanation: "Гроб" refers to the container, not the entire monument.

• Neglecting case endings, e.g., using nominative "гробница" in a genitive context like "в гробница" instead of "в гробнице." Correct: Always decline properly based on sentence structure to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, tombs like those of historical figures (e.g., Lenin's Mausoleum in Moscow) hold significant national importance, often serving as sites for remembrance and tourism. Words like "гробница" can evoke themes of Russian literature, such as in Tolstoy's works, where burial sites symbolize mortality and legacy.

Related Concepts:

• кладбище (kladbishche) - Cemetery
• похороны (pohorony) - Funeral
• мавзолей (mavzoley) - Mausoleum