Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'appoint'

English Word: appoint

Key Russian Translations:

• назначить [nɐˈznatʃɪtʲ] - [Formal, Commonly used for official or professional contexts]
• назначать [nɐˈznatʃətʲ] - [Formal, Imperfective form, often used in ongoing or habitual contexts]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

назначить: [nɐˈznatʃɪtʲ]

Note on назначить: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ч" sound is a soft "ch" as in "church."

назначать: [nɐˈznatʃətʲ]

Note on назначать: Similar to "назначить," but with a slightly different ending due to its imperfective aspect.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To assign someone to a position or role (Official context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• назначить - Used when officially assigning someone to a position or scheduling something.

Usage Examples:

• Президент назначил нового министра.

  The president appointed a new minister.

• Его назначили директором школы.

  He was appointed as the school principal.

• Совещание назначено на завтра.

  The meeting is appointed for tomorrow.

2. To designate or schedule (General or habitual context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• назначать - Used for habitual actions or ongoing processes of appointing or scheduling.

Usage Examples:

• Они часто назначают встречи на утро.

  They often appoint meetings for the morning.

• Комитет назначает экспертов для оценки.

  The committee appoints experts for evaluation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

назначить (Perfective verb):

Note: As a perfective verb, "назначить" is not used in the present tense.

назначать (Imperfective verb):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for назначить/назначать:

• определить (to determine or assign)
• установить (to establish, often for dates or rules)

Note: "определить" is often used in broader contexts, while "установить" may apply to setting rules or dates.

Antonyms for назначить/назначать:

• отменить (to cancel)
• уволить (to dismiss, in the context of removing from a position)

Related Phrases:

• назначить встречу - To schedule a meeting.
• назначить на должность - To appoint to a position.
• назначить цену - To set a price.

Usage Notes:

• "Назначить" is perfective and used for one-time, completed actions (e.g., appointing someone once). Choose this when the action is final or specific.
• "Назначать" is imperfective and used for repeated or ongoing actions (e.g., habitually scheduling meetings). Use this for general or recurring contexts.
• Both verbs are formal and often used in professional or official settings. For casual contexts, other expressions like "договориться" (to agree on) might be more appropriate for scheduling.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "назначить" in a present tense context. Incorrect: *Я назначу каждый день.* Correct: Use "назначать" for present or habitual actions, e.g., "Я назначаю встречи каждый день" (I appoint meetings every day).
• Error: Confusing aspects in past tense. Incorrect: *Я назначал министра.* Correct: Use "назначил" for a one-time past action, e.g., "Я назначил министра" (I appointed the minister).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the act of "appointing" often carries a formal or bureaucratic connotation, especially in governmental or organizational contexts. The process of "назначить" might imply an authoritative decision, reflecting hierarchical structures common in Russian institutions.

Related Concepts:

• должность (position/role)
• встреча (meeting)
• расписание (schedule)