Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Acknowledge'

English Word: acknowledge

Key Russian Translations:

• признавать [prʲɪzˈnavatʲ] - [Formal, General Use]
• подтверждать [pətʲvʲɪrˈʐdatʲ] - [Formal, Often for Confirmation]
• выражать признательность [vɨrɐˈʐatʲ prʲɪzˈnatʲɪlʲnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Expressing Gratitude]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in formal and written contexts)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies by translation and context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

признавать: [prʲɪzˈnavatʲ]

Note on признавать: Stress falls on the second syllable; the 'р' sound is rolled.

подтверждать: [pətʲvʲɪrˈʐdatʲ]

Note on подтверждать: The 'ж' sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, unique to Russian.

выражать признательность: [vɨrɐˈʐatʲ prʲɪzˈnatʲɪlʲnəsʲtʲ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To admit or accept as true:

Translation(s) & Context:

• признавать - Used when admitting a fact, truth, or responsibility.

Usage Examples:

• Он признал свою ошибку.

  He acknowledged his mistake.

• Мы должны признать, что это сложно.

  We must acknowledge that this is difficult.

• Она признала его вклад в проект.

  She acknowledged his contribution to the project.

2. To confirm receipt or understanding:

Translation(s) & Context:

• подтверждать - Used for confirming receipt, agreement, or understanding.

Usage Examples:

• Пожалуйста, подтвердите получение письма.

  Please acknowledge receipt of the letter.

• Он подтвердил, что прибудет вовремя.

  He acknowledged that he would arrive on time.

3. To express gratitude or recognition:

Translation(s) & Context:

• выражать признательность - Used in formal contexts to thank or recognize someone.

Usage Examples:

• Мы выражаем признательность за вашу помощь.

  We acknowledge your help with gratitude.

• Автор выразил признательность своим читателям.

  The author acknowledged his readers.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

признавать (verb, imperfective): Regular verb conjugation in the present, past, and future tenses.

подтверждать (verb, imperfective): Follows similar regular conjugation patterns as above.

выражать признательность (phrase): The verb "выражать" conjugates regularly, while "признательность" (noun) declines as a feminine noun in different cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for признавать:

• допускать
• соглашаться

Note: "допускать" often implies a reluctant admission, while "соглашаться" suggests agreement.

Antonyms for признавать:

• отрицать
• опровергать

Related Phrases:

• признать вину - To acknowledge guilt.
• подтвердить заказ - To acknowledge an order (e.g., in business).
• выразить глубокую признательность - To express deep gratitude.

Usage Notes:

• "признавать" is the most versatile translation, suitable for admitting truths or recognizing contributions, but it is primarily formal.
• "подтверждать" is more specific to confirming or verifying information, often in written or official contexts.
• "выражать признательность" is a formal phrase reserved for expressing thanks or recognition, often in speeches or writing.
• Choose the translation based on the context: use "признавать" for general acknowledgment, "под for confirmation, and "выражать признательность" for gratitude.

Common Errors:

Error 1: Using "признавать" in casual conversation for expressing thanks. This sounds overly formal and unnatural.

Incorrect: Я признаю твою помощь. (I acknowledge your help.)

Correct: Спасибо за помощь. (Thanks for your help.)

Error 2: Confusing "подтверждать" with "признавать" when confirming receipt. "подтверждать" is more appropriate for formal confirmations.

Incorrect: Признайте, что вы получили документ.

Correct: Подтвердите, что вы получили документ.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, acknowledging someone's help or contribution (using "выражать признательность") is often done formally in public settings, such as speeches or official letters. Casual acknowledgment of help is typically expressed with a simple "спасибо" (thanks) rather than elaborate phrases.

Related Concepts:

• благодарность (gratitude)
• согласие (agreement)
• признание (recognition)