Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Accusation'

English Word: accusation

Key Russian Translations:

• обвинение [ɐbvʲɪˈnʲenʲɪjə] - [Formal, Neutral]
• упрёк [ʊˈprʲok] - [Informal, Personal]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "обвинение"; A2 (Elementary) for "упрёк"

Pronunciation (Russian):

обвинение: [ɐbvʲɪˈnʲenʲɪjə]

Note on обвинение: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "е" is pronounced as "ye".

упрёк: [ʊˈprʲok]

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

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Formal Charge or Allegation (e.g., in legal or official contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• обвинение - Used in formal, legal, or serious contexts to denote a formal charge or accusation.

Usage Examples:

• Ему предъявили обвинение в краже.

  He was charged with theft.

• Обвинение было снято после расследования.

  The accusation was dropped after the investigation.

• Прокурор выдвинул серьёзное обвинение.

  The prosecutor made a serious accusation.

2. Personal Blame or Reproach (e.g., in personal conversations)

Translation(s) & Context:

• упрёк - Used in informal or personal contexts to express blame or reproach, often with emotional undertones.

Usage Examples:

• В её голосе звучал упрёк.

  There was reproach in her voice.

• Он бросил мне упрёк за опоздание.

  He reproached me for being late.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

обвинение (Noun, Neuter): Declines according to the second declension pattern.

упрёк (Noun, Masculine): Declines according to the second declension pattern.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for обвинение:

• навет
• клевета (more negative, implies slander)

Synonyms for упрёк:

• претензия
• укор

Antonyms for обвинение/упрёк:

• похвала (praise)
• одобрение (approval)

Related Phrases:

• предъявить обвинение - to bring an accusation (formal/legal context)
• бросить упрёк - to cast a reproach (informal/personal context)
• снять обвинение - to withdraw an accusation (formal context)

Usage Notes:

• "обвинение" is primarily used in formal or legal contexts, such as court proceedings or official statements. It implies a serious or substantiated claim.
• "упрёк" carries a more personal or emotional tone and is often used in interpersonal relationships to express blame or dissatisfaction.
• Choose "обвинение" when referring to accusations in a professional or legal sense, and "упрёк" for casual or emotional blame.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "упрёк" in formal or legal contexts. Incorrect: "Ему предъявили упрёк в суде." (They brought a reproach against him in court.)

  Correct: "Ему предъявили обвинение в суде." (They brought an accusation against him in court.)

  Explanation: "упрёк" is too informal and emotional for legal settings; "обвинение" is the appropriate term.

• Error: Misusing cases with "обвинение". Incorrect: "Я слышал об обвинение." (I heard about accusation.)

  Correct: "Я слышал об обвинении." (I heard about the accusation.)

  Explanation: After the preposition "о/об", the prepositional case must be used.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, accusations (especially formal ones like "обвинение") carry significant weight due to the historical context of strict legal systems. Public accusations or reproaches ("упрёк") can be seen as deeply personal and may affect relationships more intensely than in some Western cultures.

Related Concepts:

• вина (guilt)
• суд (court)
• наказание (punishment)