Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'assistance'

English Word: assistance

Key Russian Translations:

• помощь [ˈpoməʂː] - [Formal/Informal, General Use]
• содействие [sɐˈdʲejstvʲɪjə] - [Formal, Often in Official Contexts]
• поддержка [pɐdˈdʲerʐkə] - [Informal/Formal, Emotional or Practical Support]

Frequency: High (especially "помощь")

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "помощь"); B1 (Intermediate for "содействие" and "поддержка")

Pronunciation (Russian):

помощь: [ˈpoməʂː]

Note on помощь: The stress is on the first syllable, and the "щ" sound is a soft, prolonged "sh" unique to Russian.

содействие: [sɐˈdʲejstvʲɪjə]

Note on содействие: Stress on the second syllable; the "й" creates a gliding sound before the following vowel.

поддержка: [pɐdˈdʲerʐkə]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. General Help or Aid

Translation(s) & Context:

• помощь - Most common translation, used for general assistance in everyday situations.

Usage Examples:

• Мне нужна ваша помощь.

  I need your help.

• Спасибо за помощь с проектом!

  Thank you for your assistance with the project!

• Он всегда готов прийти на помощь.

  He is always ready to come to (someone's) aid.

2. Formal or Official Support

Translation(s) & Context:

• содействие - Used in formal contexts, often implying collaboration or institutional support.

Usage Examples:

• Мы благодарим за ваше содействие в этом деле.

  We thank you for your assistance in this matter.

• Содействие властей было необходимо для успеха.

  The assistance of the authorities was necessary for success.

3. Support (Emotional or Practical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• поддержка - Often implies emotional or ongoing practical support.

Usage Examples:

• Её поддержка очень помогла мне в трудное время.

  Her support helped me a lot during a difficult time.

• Мы получили поддержку от друзей.

  We received support from friends.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

помощь (feminine noun, 3rd declension):

Case	Singular
Nominative	помощь
Genitive	помощи
Dative	помощи
Accusative	помощь
Instrumental	помощью
Prepositional	о помощи

Note: "помощь" does not typically have a plural form in standard usage.

содействие and поддержка follow similar feminine noun declension patterns. Refer to standard Russian grammar resources for full tables.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for помощь:

• подмога (more colloquial, often physical help)
• услуга (service or favor)

Antonyms for помощь:

• препятствие (obstacle)
• помеха (hindrance)

Related Phrases:

• прийти на помощь - to come to someone's aid
• оказать помощь - to provide assistance
• просить о помощи - to ask for help
• моральная поддержка - moral support

Usage Notes:

• "помощь" is the most versatile and widely used translation for "assistance" and can be used in most contexts, formal or informal.
• "содействие" is more formal and often used in written or official language, implying active collaboration.
• "поддержка" often carries a connotation of ongoing or emotional support, less immediate than "помощь."
• Be cautious with prepositions: "помощь" often pairs with "в" (e.g., "помощь в решении проблемы" - assistance in solving a problem).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "содействие" in casual conversation.
  Incorrect: "Мне нужно ваше содействие с домашним заданием."
  Correct: "Мне нужна ваша помощь с домашним заданием."
  Explanation: "содействие" sounds overly formal for personal or everyday requests.
• Error: Incorrect case usage after "помощь."
  Incorrect: "Спасибо за помощь в проблема."
  Correct: "Спасибо за помощь в решении проблемы."
  Explanation: The noun following "в" must be in the prepositional case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, offering and accepting "помощь" (help) is often seen as a sign of community and mutual support, especially in personal relationships. Refusing help can sometimes be interpreted as impolite or distant, so it's common to accept offers even if not entirely needed.

Related Concepts:

• сотрудничество (collaboration)
• взаимопомощь (mutual aid)
• благотворительность (charity)