Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Abstention'

English Word: Abstention

Key Russian Translations:

• воздержание [vəzʲdʲɪrˈʐanʲɪjə] - [Formal, Neutral]
• воздерживание [vəzʲdʲɪrˈʐɨvanʲɪjə] - [Formal, Less Common]

Frequency: Medium (often used in political or formal contexts)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations due to formal usage and abstract meaning

Pronunciation (Russian):

воздержание: [vəzʲdʲɪrˈʐanʲɪjə]

Note on воздержание: Stress falls on the third syllable (-жа-). The 'р' is rolled, and 'е' sounds like 'ye'.

воздерживание: [vəzʲdʲɪrˈʐɨvanʲɪjə]

Note on воздерживание: Stress falls on the third syllable (-жи-). Slightly more complex due to the longer form.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Abstention as "Refraining from Voting" (Political Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• воздержание - Commonly used in political or official contexts to indicate abstaining from a vote.

Usage Examples:

• На голосовании он выбрал воздержание.

  During the vote, he chose abstention.

• Воздержание от голоса было его протестом.

  Abstention from voting was his form of protest.

• Многие члены совета заявили о воздержании.

  Many council members declared abstention.

2. Abstention as "Self-Restraint" (General Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• воздержание - Used for abstaining from desires, habits, or behaviors (e.g., food, alcohol).
• воздерживание - Less common, but can be used similarly in formal or written contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Воздержание от сладкого помогло ему похудеть.

  Abstention from sweets helped him lose weight.

• Она практикует воздерживание от алкоголя.

  She practices abstention from alcohol.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

воздержание (Noun, Neuter): Regular declension for neuter nouns ending in -ие.

воздерживание (Noun, Neuter): Follows similar declension patterns as "воздержание." Slightly more formal or archaic in tone.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• самоограничение (self-restraint)
• отказ (refusal, in some contexts)

Note: "самоограничение" emphasizes self-imposed restraint, while "отказ" is broader and less formal.

Antonyms:

• участие (participation, in voting contexts)
• индульгенция (indulgence, in self-restraint contexts)

Related Phrases:

• воздержание от голосования - Abstention from voting (political context).
• воздержание от пищи - Abstention from food (fasting or dieting context).
• строгое воздержание - Strict abstention (emphasizing discipline).

Usage Notes:

• "воздержание" is the more common and versatile term, suitable for both political abstention and personal restraint. It is the preferred choice in most contexts.
• "воздерживание" is less frequent and often appears in written or highly formal language. It may sound slightly outdated to native speakers.
• Be mindful of the context: in political discussions, "воздержание" directly maps to "abstention from voting," while in lifestyle contexts, it aligns with "restraint" or "abstinence."

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "отказ" instead of "воздержание" in formal voting contexts. "отказ" (refusal) is too general and lacks the specific connotation of abstaining from a vote.

  Incorrect: Он сделал отказ на голосовании.

  Correct: Он выбрал воздержание на голосовании.

  Explanation: "отказ" implies outright refusal, while "воздержание" specifically means abstention.

• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation (e.g., stressing the first syllable of "воздержание").

  Explanation: Stress must fall on "-жа-" to sound natural to native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "воздержание" often carries a moral or disciplined connotation, especially in contexts like fasting during religious periods (e.g., Orthodox Christian Lent, known as "Великий Пост"). It may evoke a sense of self-control or sacrifice, unlike the more neutral tone of "abstention" in English.

Related Concepts:

• самоконтроль (self-control)
• пост (fasting)
• голосование (voting)