Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Circumstance'

English Word: circumstance

Key Russian Translations:

• обстоятельство [ɐbˈstɐjɪtʲɪlstvə] - [Neutral, Formal/Informal]
• ситуация [sʲɪtʊˈatsɨjə] - [Neutral, Often used for broader context]
• условие [ʊsˈlovʲɪjə] - [Neutral, Often implies condition]

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

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "обстоятельство"; A2 (Beginner-Intermediate) for "ситуация" and "условие"

Pronunciation (Russian):

обстоятельство: [ɐbˈstɐjɪtʲɪlstvə]

Note on обстоятельство: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "о" in the first syllable is reduced to a schwa sound [ɐ].

ситуация: [sʲɪtʊˈatsɨjə]

Note on ситуация: Stress on the third syllable. The "я" at the end is pronounced as [jə].

условие: [ʊsˈlovʲɪjə]

Note on условие: Stress on the second syllable. The "е" at the end is pronounced as [jə].

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A Fact or Condition Connected with an Event or Action

Translation(s) & Context:

• обстоятельство - Often used in formal or legal contexts to describe specific details or factors.

Usage Examples:

• Это важное обстоятельство дела.

  This is an important circumstance of the case.

• Обстоятельства вынудили нас принять решение.

  Circumstances forced us to make a decision.

• Мы учли все обстоятельства.

  We took all circumstances into account.

2. A Situation or Set of Conditions

Translation(s) & Context:

• ситуация - Used for describing a broader situation or context, often less formal.
• условие - Used when referring to specific conditions or terms affecting a situation.

Usage Examples:

• Ситуация изменилась за последние дни.

  The situation has changed in recent days.

• Мы оказались в сложной ситуации.

  We found ourselves in a difficult situation.

• Это условие должно быть выполнено.

  This circumstance (condition) must be met.

• Условия работы были невыносимыми.

  The working conditions were unbearable.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

обстоятельство (noun, neuter):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	обстоятельство	обстоятельства
Genitive	обстоятельства	обстоятельств
Dative	обстоятельству	обстоятельствам
Accusative	обстоятельство	обстоятельства
Instrumental	обстоятельством	обстоятельствами
Prepositional	об обстоятельстве	об обстоятельствах

ситуация (noun, feminine) and условие (noun, neuter): Follow standard declension patterns for feminine and neuter nouns respectively. Detailed tables available upon request.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for обстоятельство:

• факт
• деталь

Note: "факт" is more general (fact), while "деталь" implies a smaller detail.

Synonyms for ситуация:

• положение
• обстановка

Antonyms: None directly applicable across all meanings.

Related Phrases:

• при данных обстоятельствах - under the given circumstances
• сложная ситуация - difficult situation
• необходимое условие - necessary condition

Usage Notes:

• "обстоятельство" is more formal and often used in legal, academic, or precise contexts. It directly corresponds to "circumstance" as a specific factor or detail.
• "ситуация" is broader and more conversational, often translating to "situation" rather than a single circumstance.
• "условие" leans toward "condition" and is used when discussing prerequisites or terms.
• Choose the translation based on formality and context: "обстоятельство" for formal writing, "ситуация" for everyday speech, and "условие" for conditions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "ситуация" in formal legal contexts where "обстоятельство" is required.
  Incorrect: Ситуация дела была рассмотрена.
  Correct: Обстоятельство дела было рассмотрено.
  Explanation: "Ситуация" feels too vague and informal for legal language.
• Error: Confusing "условие" with "обстоятельство" when no condition is implied.
  Incorrect: Это условие изменило всё.
  Correct: Это обстоятельство изменило всё.
  Explanation: "Условие" implies a specific condition or requirement, not a general circumstance.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, discussing "обстоятельства" often carries a sense of inevitability or external forces, reflecting a cultural tendency to attribute outcomes to external factors rather than personal control, especially in formal or historical narratives.

Related Concepts:

• причина (reason)
• следствие (consequence)
• контекст (context)