Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'abuse'

English Word: abuse

Key Russian Translations:

• злоупотребление [ˌzɫəʊpətrʲɪˈblʲenʲɪjə] - [Neutral, Formal]
• оскорбление [ɐskɐrˈblʲenʲɪjə] - [Neutral, Verbal insult]
• насилие [nɐˈsʲilʲɪjə] - [Serious, Physical or psychological harm]

Frequency: Medium (used in specific contexts like legal, social, or personal discussions)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies by translation - "насилие" is easier [A2], while "злоупотребление" is more advanced [B2])

Pronunciation (Russian):

злоупотребление: [ˌzɫəʊpətrʲɪˈblʲenʲɪjə]

Note on злоупотребление: Stress falls on the fourth syllable; the "зло" prefix may be tricky for non-native speakers due to the voiced "з" sound.

оскорбление: [ɐskɐrˈblʲenʲɪjə]

Note on оскорбление: Stress on the third syllable; soften the "л" sound for authenticity.

насилие: [nɐˈsʲilʲɪjə]

Note on насилие: Stress on the second syllable; the soft "с" and "л" sounds are key.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Misuse or improper use (e.g., of power, substances)

Translation(s) & Context:

• злоупотребление - Often used for abstract misuse, such as abuse of power or alcohol.

Usage Examples:

• Он был обвинён в злоупотреблении служебным положением.

  He was accused of abusing his official position.

• Злоупотребление алкоголем приводит к проблемам со здоровьем.

  Abuse of alcohol leads to health problems.

• Это явное злоупотребление доверием.

  This is a clear abuse of trust.

2. Verbal insult or offensive language

Translation(s) & Context:

• оскорбление - Refers to verbal abuse or insult, often in personal or public disputes.

Usage Examples:

• Его слова были настоящим оскорблением для меня.

  His words were a real abuse (insult) to me.

• Она не могла терпеть постоянные оскорбления.

  She couldn’t tolerate constant verbal abuse.

3. Physical or psychological harm

Translation(s) & Context:

• насилие - Used for physical, emotional, or domestic abuse.

Usage Examples:

• Насилие в семье — серьёзная проблема.

  Domestic abuse is a serious problem.

• Он подвергся насилию со стороны сверстников.

  He suffered abuse from his peers.

• Мы должны бороться с любым видом насилия.

  We must fight against any form of abuse.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

злоупотребление (noun, neuter): Regular declension for neuter nouns ending in -ие.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	злоупотребление	злоупотребления
Genitive	злоупотребления	злоупотреблений
Dative	злоупотреблению	злоупотреблениям

оскорбление (noun, neuter): Follows similar declension patterns as above.

насилие (noun, neuter): Follows similar declension patterns as above.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for злоупотребление:

• превышение
• нарушение

Note: "превышение" often implies exceeding limits, while "нарушение" is broader, meaning violation.

Synonyms for оскорбление:

• унижение
• обида

Synonyms for насилие:

• жестокость
• принуждение

Antonyms (general for "abuse"):

• уважение (respect)
• защита (protection)

Related Phrases:

• злоупотребление властью - Abuse of power.
• оскорбление действием - Abuse (insult) through actions.
• домашнее насилие - Domestic abuse.

Usage Notes:

• The choice of translation depends heavily on context. Use "злоупотребление" for abstract misuse, "оскорбление" for verbal abuse, and "насилие" for physical or emotional harm.
• "насилие" carries a stronger, often legal connotation in Russian compared to "abuse" in English.
• Russian tends to be more specific; avoid overgeneralizing "abuse" with a single term without context.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "злоупотребление" for physical abuse. Incorrect: "Злоупотребление в семье". Correct: "Насилие в семье" (domestic abuse). Explanation: "злоупотребление" refers to misuse, not harm.
• Error: Misusing "оскорбление" for non-verbal contexts. Incorrect: "Оскорбление властью". Correct: "Злоупотребление властью" (abuse of power). Explanation: "оскорбление" is verbal insult.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions of "насилие" (abuse, violence) are often tied to serious social issues like domestic violence, which may carry a heavier emotional or legal weight than the English term "abuse" in casual contexts. Public discourse on abuse has grown in recent years, though it remains a sensitive topic.

Related Concepts:

• жестокость (cruelty)
• дискриминация (discrimination)
• унижение (humiliation)