Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Accountable'

English Word: accountable

Key Russian Translations:

• ответственный [ˌotvʲɪtˈstvʲɪnnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• подотчётный [pədɐˈtɕotnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Often used in legal or financial contexts]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

ответственный: [ˌotvʲɪtˈstvʲɪnnɨj]

Note on ответственный: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "о" in the first syllable is reduced to a schwa-like sound in rapid speech.

подотчётный: [pədɐˈtɕotnɨj]

Note on подотчётный: Stress on the third syllable. The "ё" is always stressed and pronounced as "yo."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Responsible for actions or decisions

Translation(s) & Context:

• ответственный - Used when referring to someone who is responsible or accountable for their actions or duties.

Usage Examples:

• Он ответственный за выполнение этого проекта.

  He is accountable for completing this project.

• Мы должны быть ответственными за свои поступки.

  We must be accountable for our actions.

• Ответственный подход к работе всегда ценится.

  An accountable approach to work is always appreciated.

2. Answerable or liable, especially in formal or legal contexts

Translation(s) & Context:

• подотчётный - Often used in bureaucratic, financial, or legal contexts to indicate being answerable to someone or something.

Usage Examples:

• Этот отдел подотчётен главному директору.

  This department is accountable to the chief director.

• Все расходы должны быть подотчётны.

  All expenses must be accountable.

• Он подотчётен за использование бюджетных средств.

  He is accountable for the use of budget funds.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

ответственный (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case. Below is the declension table for the singular form:

подотчётный (Adjective): Also declines according to gender, number, and case, following similar patterns to "ответственный."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for ответственный:

• надёжный (reliable)
• серьёзный (serious)

Note: "надёжный" emphasizes reliability, while "серьёзный" implies a serious attitude.

Synonyms for подотчётный:

• ответный (answerable, less common)

Antonyms for ответственный:

• безответственный (irresponsible)

Related Phrases:

• нести ответственность - to bear responsibility (used with "ответственный")
• быть подотчётным кому-либо - to be accountable to someone (used with "подотчётный")
• ответственное лицо - responsible person (common in formal settings)

Usage Notes:

• "Ответственный" is more commonly used in everyday speech to describe someone who is responsible or accountable in a general sense.
• "Подотчётный" is more specific and often restricted to formal, legal, or financial contexts where someone must report to a higher authority.
• Be mindful of adjective agreement in Russian; both words must match the gender, number, and case of the noun they modify.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "подотчётный" in casual contexts. Incorrect: "Я подотчётный за свои действия." Correct: "Я ответственный за свои действия." (I am accountable for my actions.)
• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement. Incorrect: "Она ответственный." Correct: "Она ответственна." (She is accountable.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, being "ответственный" carries a strong positive connotation, often associated with reliability and trustworthiness. It is a highly valued trait in personal and professional relationships. The concept of accountability in formal settings ("подотчётный") is deeply tied to bureaucratic and hierarchical structures, reflecting the importance of reporting and transparency in such contexts.

Related Concepts:

• обязанность (duty)
• долг (obligation)
• ответственность (responsibility)