Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Behalf'

English Word: behalf

Key Russian Translations:

• от имени [ˈot ˈimʲənʲɪ] - [Formal, Prepositional Phrase]
• за [za] - [Neutral, Used in contexts of representation or defense]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "от имени"; A2 (Beginner-Intermediate) for "за"

Pronunciation (Russian):

от имени: [ˈot ˈimʲənʲɪ]

Note on от имени: Stress falls on the first syllable of both words. The "и" in "имени" is pronounced as a soft vowel.

за: [za]

Note on за: A short, clear preposition with no stress variations.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. On someone's behalf (representing someone)

Translation(s) & Context:

• от имени - Used formally to indicate acting or speaking on behalf of a person, organization, or group.

Usage Examples:

• Я выступаю от имени нашей компании.

  I am speaking on behalf of our company.

• Он подписал договор от имени директора.

  He signed the contract on behalf of the director.

• От имени всех сотрудников поздравляем вас!

  On behalf of all employees, we congratulate you!

2. For someone's benefit or in defense of someone

Translation(s) & Context:

• за - Used to express acting in favor of or defending someone/something.

Usage Examples:

• Я голосую за него.

  I am voting on his behalf (in his favor).

• Она всегда выступает за справедливость.

  She always stands up on behalf of justice.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

от имени: This is a fixed prepositional phrase. "От" is a preposition that does not change, and "имени" is the genitive singular form of "имя" (name). It does not inflect further in this context.

за: A preposition that does not change form. Its meaning can shift based on the case of the following noun (accusative for "on behalf of" or "in favor of").

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for от имени:

• от лица
• в интересах (in the interests of)

Note: "от лица" is slightly less formal than "от имени" but conveys a similar meaning.

Synonyms for за:

• в поддержку (in support of)

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as the concept of "behalf" does not have a clear opposite in Russian.

Related Phrases:

• от имени и по поручению - On behalf of and by the authority of (formal, often legal).
• выступать за - To stand up for or advocate on behalf of someone/something.
• действовать в интересах - To act in the interests of (on behalf of someone's benefit).

Usage Notes:

• "от имени" is the most direct and formal translation of "on behalf of" when representing someone in speech or writing. It is often used in official or ceremonial contexts.
• "за" is broader and can imply advocacy or support rather than direct representation. It is less formal and more versatile but requires context to clarify the "behalf" meaning.
• Be cautious with word order in Russian sentences when using these terms, as Russian relies heavily on case endings rather than prepositions alone to convey meaning.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "за" without the correct case (e.g., saying "за его" instead of "за него" in accusative). Explanation: "за" requires the accusative case when meaning "on behalf of" or "in favor of." Incorrect: *Я голосую за его.* Correct: Я голосую за него.
• Error: Overusing "от имени" in informal contexts where a simpler phrase like "от лица" or no preposition at all would suffice. Explanation: "от имени" sounds overly formal in casual speech.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, formal representation (e.g., speaking "от имени" of a group or organization) carries significant weight, especially in official or legal contexts. It is common to explicitly state whose behalf you are acting on to avoid ambiguity, reflecting a cultural emphasis on clarity and authority.

Related Concepts:

• представительство (representation)
• доверенность (power of attorney)
• поддержка (support)