Господи, помилуй
Gospodi, pomiluy
The English phrase "lord have mercy" is translated into Russian as Господи, помилуй (Gospodi, pomiluy).
This phrase functions as a sincere religious prayer or a plea for God to show compassion and forgiveness. In secular contexts, it is also used as an exclamation to express shock, distress or exasperation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the vocative form of "Lord" (Господи) and the imperative form of "to have mercy/pity" (помилуй).
How do you pronounce it?
Gospodi, pomiluy
Did you know?
- While Господи is the vocative form of 'Lord', the vocative case is almost entirely extinct in modern Russian and is now preserved primarily in religious addresses and archaic insults.
- The word помилуй comes from the root мил, which means 'dear' or 'sweet', linking the concept of divine mercy to the idea of being beloved.
- Although Господи, помилуй is a prayer, using it as a sarcastic reaction to someone's incompetence is a common colloquial habit in Russia.
Examples in context
- Господи, помилуй!Lord have mercy!This example shows how to use the phrase Господи, помилуй.Tatoeba #659223 by salikh, translation #8481059 by shekitten
- Господи, помилуй нас, грешных.Gospodi, pomiluy nas, greshnykh.Lord, have mercy on us, sinners.
- Господи, помилуй, я совершил ошибку.Gospodi, pomiluy, ya sovershil oshibku.Lord, have mercy, I made a mistake.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man is feeling overwhelmed by his burdens and seeks spiritual comfort.
- Ольга OlgaСергей, тебе сейчас тяжело на душе?Sergey, tebe seychas tyazhelo na dushe?Sergey, is your soul heavy right now?
- Сергей SergeyДа, Ольга, Господи, помилуй меня.Da, Ol'ga, Gospodi, pomiluy menya.Yes, Olga, Lord, have mercy on me.
- Ольга OlgaБог услышит твою молитву.Bog uslyshit tvoyu molitvu.God will hear your prayer.
- Сергей SergeyНадеюсь на Его милость.Nadeyus' na Yego milost'.I hope for His mercy.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
