Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'widow'

English Word: widow

Key Russian Translations:

• вдова [ˈvdəvə] - [Formal, Singular, Refers to a woman whose husband has died]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations, literature, and legal contexts, but not as frequent as basic family terms like "мать" or "отец").

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary level; straightforward vocabulary for beginners, but understanding cultural nuances may require intermediate practice).

Pronunciation (Russian):

вдова: [ˈvdəvə]

Note on вдова: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'в' sounds like a voiced labiodental fricative. Be cautious with the vowel reduction in unstressed syllables, common in Russian. Variations may occur in dialects, such as a softer 'д' in some regions.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A woman who has lost her husband through death and has not remarried.

Translation(s) & Context:

• вдова - Used in formal, everyday, or literary contexts to describe a widow in a straightforward manner, often in discussions about family, inheritance, or social status.

Usage Examples:

• Моя бабушка стала вдовой в молодом возрасте и воспитала нас одна.

  My grandmother became a widow at a young age and raised us on her own. (This example shows the word in a personal, familial context, highlighting emotional resilience.)

• Вдова получила наследство от мужа после его смерти.

  The widow received an inheritance from her husband after his death. (This demonstrates usage in a legal or financial context, common in modern Russian society.)

• В русской литературе часто изображают вдов как символы стойкости и грусти.

  In Russian literature, widows are often depicted as symbols of resilience and sorrow. (This example illustrates the word in a cultural or artistic setting, showing its role in narratives.)

• После войны многие женщины остались вдовами и перестроили свою жизнь.

  After the war, many women were left as widows and rebuilt their lives. (This highlights historical usage, particularly in discussions of wartime impacts.)

• Вдова посетила могилу мужа в годовщину его смерти.

  The widow visited her husband's grave on the anniversary of his death. (This shows the word in a ceremonial or emotional context, emphasizing traditions.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

вдова is a feminine noun in the first declension group. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. As a feminine noun ending in -а, it has predictable inflections but no irregularities.

Note: The plural form is less commonly used, as "widow" typically refers to an individual, but it can apply in contexts like "вдовы войны" (widows of the war).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: овдовевшая женщина (a woman who has become widowed) - Often used for emphasis on the process; безвдовая (bereaved woman) - Less common, with a connotation of recent loss.
• Antonyms: жена (wife) - Refers to a currently married woman; разведённая (divorced woman) - Indicates separation rather than death.

Related Phrases:

• вдовий дом (vdoviy dom) - Widow's house; a phrase referring to a residence or shelter for widows, often in historical or charitable contexts.
• стать вдовой (stat' vdovoy) - To become a widow; used to describe the event of losing a spouse, with emotional implications.
• вдовий наряд (vdoviy naryad) - Widow's attire; refers to traditional mourning clothes, highlighting cultural practices in Russian history.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "вдова" directly corresponds to the English "widow" but is gendered and typically used only for women. It carries a formal tone and is appropriate in legal, familial, or narrative contexts. Unlike English, where "widow" can sometimes be used metaphorically, Russian usage is more literal. When choosing between synonyms like "овдовевшая женщина," opt for "вдова" in concise, everyday speech. Be mindful of grammatical agreement: it must align with feminine nouns and adjectives in sentences.

• Contextual tip: In modern Russian, this term is neutral but may evoke historical or cultural sensitivity, especially in discussions of war or loss.
• Grammar note: Always use in the appropriate case for sentence structure, e.g., "Я видел вдову" (I saw the widow) in accusative.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "вдова" with "вдовец" (widower), mistakenly using the feminine form for men. Incorrect: "Его муж стал вдовой" (wrongly implying the husband became a widow). Correct: "Его жена стала вдовой" (His wife became a widow). Another error is improper declension, such as using the nominative form in all cases, e.g., saying "Я говорил с вдова" instead of "Я говорил с вдовой" (I spoke with the widow). This stems from overlooking Russian case systems; always check the sentence's grammatical requirements for accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "вдова" often symbolizes resilience and sorrow, particularly in literature like Tolstoy's works or folk tales. Historically, widows in Russia faced social and economic challenges, such as property rights issues, especially after wars like World War II. This term can carry emotional weight, reflecting themes of loss and strength in Russian society, and is sometimes associated with traditional mourning rituals, like wearing black for a year.

Related Concepts:

• вдовец (widower)
• сирота (orphan)
• семья (family)