Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Clout'

English Word: Clout

Key Russian Translations:

• влияние [ˈvlʲɪjənʲɪjə] - [Neutral, Formal/Informal]
• авторитет [ɐftɐˈrʲitʲɪt] - [Formal, Often in Professional Contexts]
• сила [ˈsʲilə] - [Neutral, Often Physical or Metaphorical Power]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in discussions of power or influence)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies slightly by context and translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

влияние: [ˈvlʲɪjənʲɪjə]

Note on влияние: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "я" sound is a soft vowel, often tricky for non-native speakers.

авторитет: [ɐftɐˈrʲitʲɪt]

Note on авторитет: Stress on the third syllable. The "р" is rolled, a common challenge for learners.

сила: [ˈsʲilə]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Influence or Power (Social/Political)

Translation(s) & Context:

• влияние - Used to describe someone's ability to affect decisions or opinions, often in social or political spheres.
• авторитет - Refers to respected influence or authority, often tied to expertise or position.

Usage Examples:

• Его влияние на команду было очевидным.

  His influence on the team was obvious.

• Она обладает большим авторитетом в научных кругах.

  She has significant authority in academic circles.

• Политическое влияние этой семьи огромно.

  The political influence of this family is enormous.

2. Physical Force or Strength

Translation(s) & Context:

• сила - Used for physical strength or metaphorical power (less common for social influence).

Usage Examples:

• Удар был такой силы, что сломал доску.

  The blow had such force that it broke the board.

• Её слова имели силу убеждения.

  Her words had the power of persuasion.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

влияние (Noun, Neuter): Declines according to the second declension pattern for neuter nouns.

авторитет (Noun, Masculine): Regular second declension masculine noun.

сила (Noun, Feminine): Regular first declension feminine noun.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for влияние:

• воздействие
• давление (in specific contexts)

Note: "воздействие" often implies a more active or direct effect, while "давление" suggests pressure or coercion.

Antonyms for влияние:

• безвластие
• беспомощность

Related Phrases:

• иметь влияние - To have influence (common in discussions of power dynamics).
• потерять авторитет - To lose authority (used when someone's reputation declines).
• сила воли - Willpower (a common metaphorical use of "сила").

Usage Notes:

• "влияние" is the most versatile translation for "clout" when referring to social or political influence. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
• "авторитет" emphasizes respect and legitimacy, making it more suitable for professional or academic settings. Avoid using it in casual contexts.
• "сила" is less common for social clout and more appropriate for physical or metaphorical strength. It may confuse listeners if used incorrectly for influence.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "сила" to mean social influence (e.g., "У него есть сила в обществе").
  Correct Usage: Use "влияние" instead (e.g., "У него есть влияние в обществе").
  Explanation: "сила" primarily means physical strength or force and can sound unnatural when used for social clout.
• Error: Misplacing stress in "влияние" (e.g., pronouncing it as [vlɪˈjanʲɪjə]).
  Correct Usage: Stress is on the first syllable [ˈvlʲɪjənʲɪjə].
  Explanation: Incorrect stress can make the word sound foreign or unclear to native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "авторитет" (authority) is often tied to respect for expertise or seniority. Expressing or questioning someone's "clout" in a professional setting may require careful phrasing to avoid sounding disrespectful.

Related Concepts:

• власть (power)
• репутация (reputation)
• престиж (prestige)