Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Answer'

English Word: answer

Key Russian Translations:

• ответ [ˈotvʲɪt] - [Neutral, Most Common]
• отвечать [ɐtˈvʲetʲɪtʲ] - [Verb, Used for replying]
• решение [rʲɪˈʂenʲɪjə] - [Neutral, Used for solutions or answers to problems]

Frequency: High (especially "ответ" and "отвечать")

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "ответ" and "отвечать"); B1 (Intermediate for "решение")

Pronunciation (Russian):

ответ: [ˈotvʲɪt]

Note on ответ: Stress falls on the first syllable; the "в" is pronounced softly due to palatalization.

отвечать: [ɐtˈvʲetʲɪtʲ]

Note on отвечать: Stress on the second syllable; ensure the soft "т" sound at the end.

решение: [rʲɪˈʂenʲɪjə]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A reply or response to a question or statement

Translation(s) & Context:

• ответ - Commonly used for a direct response in speech or writing.
• отвечать - Verb form, used when describing the act of replying.

Usage Examples:

• Я жду твоего ответа.

  I am waiting for your answer.

• Он ответил на вопрос учителя.

  He answered the teacher’s question.

• Пожалуйста, отвечай быстрее!

  Please answer faster!

• Её ответ был очень кратким.

  Her answer was very brief.

• Ты можешь ответить по телефону?

  Can you answer the phone?

2. A solution to a problem or puzzle

Translation(s) & Context:

• решение - Used for answers in the context of solving problems or making decisions.

Usage Examples:

• Мы нашли решение этой задачи.

  We found the answer to this problem.

• Решение было принято на собрании.

  The answer (decision) was made at the meeting.

• Это правильное решение?

  Is this the correct answer?

Russian Forms/Inflections:

ответ (Noun, Masculine):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	ответ	ответы
Genitive	ответа	ответов
Dative	ответу	ответам
Accusative	ответ	ответы
Instrumental	ответом	ответами
Prepositional	об ответе	об ответах

отвечать (Verb, Imperfective): Conjugates regularly as a first-conjugation verb. Below is the present tense:

Person	Form
Я (I)	отвечаю
Ты (You, singular)	отвечаешь
Он/Она/Оно (He/She/It)	отвечает
Мы (We)	отвечаем
Вы (You, plural)	отвечаете
Они (They)	отвечают

решение (Noun, Neuter): Follows standard neuter noun declension patterns (similar to "ответ" but with neuter endings).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for ответ:

• реакция (reaction, response)
• отклик (feedback, reply)

Note: "реакция" often implies an emotional or situational response, while "отклик" is more about feedback.

Antonyms for ответ:

• вопрос (question)
• молчание (silence)

Related Phrases:

• дать ответ - to give an answer
• ждать ответа - to wait for an answer
• отвечать за свои слова - to answer for one’s words (to be responsible)
• принять решение - to make a decision (answer)

Usage Notes:

• "Ответ" is the most common and neutral term for "answer" as a noun and can be used in most contexts.
• "Отвечать" is a verb and should be used when describing the action of answering; it often pairs with prepositions like "на" (e.g., "отвечать на вопрос" - to answer a question).
• "Решение" is specific to contexts involving solutions or decisions, not direct replies.
• Be mindful of formality: "ответ" is neutral, but tone and context matter in spoken Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "решение" for a conversational reply. Incorrect: "Я дал решение на твой вопрос." Correct: "Я дал ответ на твой вопрос." (I gave an answer to your question.) Explanation: "Решение" implies a solution to a problem, not a conversational response.
• Error: Forgetting the preposition "на" with "отвечать." Incorrect: "Я отвечаю вопрос." Correct: "Я отвечаю на вопрос." Explanation: "Отвечать" requires "на" when answering something specific.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, giving a direct "answer" (ответ) can sometimes be seen as less important than the tone or manner in which it is delivered. Russians may value sincerity and emotional context over a quick or blunt reply, especially in personal interactions.

Related Concepts:

• вопрос (question)
• диалог (dialogue)
• обсуждение (discussion)