Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'venerate'

English Word: venerate

Key Russian Translations:

• почитать [pɐˈt͡ɕitətʲ] - [Formal, Verb]
• восхищаться [vɐsˈxʲiʦətʲsʲə] - [Informal, Verb]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal, literary, or religious contexts, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and nuanced contexts; for 'почитать', it may be B2, while 'восхищаться' could be B1 for simpler uses)

Pronunciation (Russian):

почитать: [pɐˈt͡ɕitətʲ]

Note on почитать: The stress falls on the second syllable ('-чи-'), which is common in Russian verbs; be careful with the soft 'т' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

восхищаться: [vɐsˈxʲiʦətʲsʲə]

Note on восхищаться: This is a reflexive verb ending in '-ся', pronounced with a soft 'x' sound; the final '-ся' is often reduced in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To regard with great respect, especially in a religious or traditional context

Translation(s) & Context:

• почитать - Used in formal or ceremonial settings, such as honoring ancestors or saints in Russian Orthodox culture.
• восхищаться - Applied in more everyday admiration, like appreciating art or people, but can overlap in reverent contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В русской культуре люди почитают своих предков, передавая традиции из поколения в поколение.

  In Russian culture, people venerate their ancestors, passing down traditions from generation to generation.

• Молодые художники часто восхищаются работами классиков, такими как Репин.

  Young artists often venerate the works of classics like Repin.

• В монастыре монахи почитают иконы как священные реликвии.

  In the monastery, monks venerate icons as sacred relics.

• Дети восхищаются героем книги, видя в нём идеал мужества.

  Children venerate the book's hero, seeing in him an ideal of courage.

• Семья почитает память деда, устраивая ежегодные поминальные службы.

  The family venerate's their grandfather's memory by holding annual memorial services.

To show deep admiration or worship

Translation(s) & Context:

• восхищаться - Common in emotional or inspirational contexts, such as admiring a leader or achievement.
• почитать - More formal, often in historical or institutional settings.

Usage Examples:

• Многие восхищаются поэзией Пушкина, считая её вечным наследием.

  Many venerate Pushkin's poetry, considering it an eternal legacy.

• Восхищаться природой — это значит ценить её красоту и силу.

  To venerate nature is to appreciate its beauty and power.

• Почитать учителя — традиция, которая сохраняется в русских школах.

  Venerating teachers is a tradition that persists in Russian schools.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'почитать' and 'восхищаться' are verbs in Russian, which means they undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. Russian verbs are conjugated irregularly in some cases, and these follow standard patterns for imperfective verbs.

For 'почитать' (imperfective):

For 'восхищаться' (imperfective, reflexive):

Note: These verbs do not change in gender or number in the infinitive form but adjust in past tense based on the subject.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • уважать (uvazhat' - more general respect, often interchangeable in neutral contexts)
  • обожать (obožat' - implies intense admiration, with a connotation of worship)
• Antonyms:
  • презирать (prezirat' - to despise or scorn)
  • ненавидеть (nenavidet' - to hate)

Related Phrases:

• почитать как бога - To venerate as a god (used to describe extreme admiration, often in hyperbolic contexts)
• восхищаться талантом - To venerate talent (common in artistic or professional settings, emphasizing appreciation)
• почитать традиции - To venerate traditions (refers to honoring cultural or familial customs)

Usage Notes:

'Почитать' is the more precise translation for 'venerate' in formal or religious contexts, as it conveys deep respect with a sense of tradition, while 'восхищаться' is better for emotional admiration. Choose 'почитать' for institutional settings, like in Russian Orthodox practices, and 'восхищаться' for personal expressions. Be mindful of verb aspect: both are imperfective, implying ongoing actions. In sentences, they often pair with objects in the accusative case, e.g., 'почитать кого-то' (to venerate someone).

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'почитать' with 'любить' (to love): English learners might overuse 'любить' for emotional respect, but it lacks the formal reverence. Error: "Я люблю моих предков" (incorrect for veneration). Correct: "Я почитаю моих предков." Explanation: 'Любить' implies affection, while 'почитать' emphasizes honor.
• Misconjugating reflexive verbs: For 'восхищаться', forgetting the '-ся' ending. Error: "Я восхищаю" (incorrect). Correct: "Я восхищаюсь." Explanation: It's a reflexive verb, so the ending is essential for meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'восхищаться' or 'почитать' often ties to Orthodox traditions, where venerating saints or icons is a key practice. For instance, during holidays like Maslenitsa or Easter, people venerate family and heritage, reflecting deep historical roots in Slavic paganism and Christianity.

Related Concepts:

• традиции (traditions)
• религия (religion)
• уважение (respect)