Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vow'

English Word: vow

Key Russian Translations:

• клятва [ˈklʲætvə] - [Formal, often used in religious or legal contexts]
• обет [ɐˈbʲet] - [Formal, typically in spiritual or personal commitment scenarios]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, formal speeches, and religious texts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of noun declensions and formal vocabulary, with variations depending on context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

клятва: [ˈklʲætvə]

Note on клятва: The stress falls on the first syllable; the 'кля' sound can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalized 'л'.

Audio: []

обет: [ɐˈbʲet]

Note on обет: Stress on the second syllable; the 'бʲ' is a soft 'b' sound, which may require practice for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A solemn promise or undertaking, often with emotional or legal weight.

Translation(s) & Context:

• клятва - Used in formal, ceremonial, or religious settings, such as wedding vows or oaths of allegiance.
• обет - Applied in contexts of personal commitment, like monastic vows or promises in literature.

Usage Examples:

• Он дал клятву верности своей стране во время церемонии.

  He made a vow of loyalty to his country during the ceremony.

• Монах принял обет безбрачия в монастыре.

  The monk took a vow of celibacy in the monastery.

• В браке пара обменялась клятвами любви и поддержки.

  In marriage, the couple exchanged vows of love and support.

• Она произнесла обет помощи друзьям в трудные времена.

  She made a vow to help her friends in difficult times.

• Солдат дал клятву защищать народ, несмотря на опасности.

  The soldier vowed to protect the people, despite the dangers.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "клятва" and "обет" are feminine nouns. "Клятва" follows the first declension pattern, while "обет" is also first declension but with some irregularities in certain forms. Below is a table outlining the key inflections:

Note: These nouns do not change based on verb conjugations but must agree with adjectives and verbs in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: присяга (more legal context), обещание (general promise, with a less formal connotation)
• Antonyms: предательство (betrayal, implying a breaking of the vow)

Related Phrases:

• принести клятву - To take or make a vow (used in formal ceremonies, e.g., in weddings or oaths).
• обет молчания - A vow of silence (common in monastic or secretive contexts, emphasizing commitment to secrecy).
• клятва верности - A vow of loyalty (often in relationships or national pledges, highlighting enduring commitment).

Usage Notes:

"Клятва" and "обет" both translate to "vow" but differ subtly: "клятва" is more public and binding, often involving witnesses, while "обет" is personal and spiritual. In English, "vow" can be formal or informal, but in Russian, these words are typically formal—avoid using them in casual speech. Always ensure the noun agrees in case with surrounding words, and choose based on context: use "клятва" for legal vows and "обет" for religious ones. For example, in modern Russian, these words appear in literature or historical discussions rather than everyday dialogue.

Common Errors:

• Common Error: Confusing "клятва" with "обещание" (promise), leading to misuse in formal contexts. Incorrect: "Я дал обещание верности" (implies a casual promise). Correct: "Я дал клятву верности" (for a solemn vow). Explanation: "Обещание" is less binding, so English learners should select based on the vow's seriousness to avoid understating commitment.

• Common Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Incorrect: "Я думаю о клятва" (should be genitive: "о клятве"). Correct: "Я думаю о клятве". Explanation: Russian nouns must change form to fit the sentence structure, which is a frequent challenge for beginners.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, vows like "клятва" are deeply tied to historical and religious traditions, such as the Orthodox marriage ceremony or military oaths from Soviet times. They often carry a sense of honor and permanence, reflecting Russia's emphasis on collective duty and moral integrity, which can differ from more individualistic Western interpretations of promises.

Related Concepts:

• верность (loyalty)
• присяга (oath)
• договорённость (agreement)