Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Commitment'

English Word: Commitment

Key Russian Translations:

• обязательство [ɐbʲɪˈzatʲɪlʲstvə] - [Formal, Often legal or official]
• приверженность [prʲɪˈvʲerʐɨnəsʲtʲ] - [Neutral, Emotional or ideological dedication]
• обещание [ɐbʲɪˈʂanʲɪjə] - [Informal, Often personal promise]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "обязательство" and "обещание"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "приверженность"

Pronunciation (Russian):

обязательство: [ɐbʲɪˈzatʲɪlʲstvə]

Note on обязательство: Stress falls on the third syllable; the "л" sound is soft.

приверженность: [prʲɪˈvʲerʐɨnəsʲtʲ]

Note on приверженность: The "р" sounds are rolled, and stress is on the second syllable.

обещание: [ɐbʲɪˈʂanʲɪjə]

Note on обещание: Stress on the third syllable; the "щ" sound is like "shch".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A formal or legal obligation

Translation(s) & Context:

• обязательство - Used in formal, legal, or professional contexts to denote a duty or contract.

Usage Examples:

• Он подписал обязательство выполнить работу к сроку.

  He signed a commitment to complete the work by the deadline.

• Это обязательство закреплено в договоре.

  This commitment is enshrined in the contract.

• Мы взяли на себя обязательство помочь.

  We made a commitment to help.

2. Dedication or loyalty to a cause or person

Translation(s) & Context:

• приверженность - Refers to emotional or ideological dedication, often to values or relationships.

Usage Examples:

• Его приверженность делу вдохновляет всех нас.

  His commitment to the cause inspires us all.

• Она показала приверженность своим принципам.

  She demonstrated commitment to her principles.

• Приверженность семье для него превыше всего.

  Commitment to family is above all for him.

3. A personal promise or pledge

Translation(s) & Context:

• обещание - Often used in informal or personal contexts to mean a promise.

Usage Examples:

• Я дал обещание быть рядом.

  I made a commitment to be there.

• Она сдержала своё обещание помочь.

  She kept her commitment to help.

• Это было не просто обещание, а твёрдое решение.

  It wasn’t just a promise, but a firm commitment.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

обязательство (Noun, Neuter): Regular declension for neuter nouns.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	обязательство	обязательства
Genitive	обязательства	обязательств
Dative	обязательству	обязательствам
Accusative	обязательство	обязательства
Instrumental	обязательством	обязательствами
Prepositional	об обязательстве	об обязательствах

приверженность (Noun, Feminine): Regular declension for feminine nouns ending in -ость.

обещание (Noun, Neuter): Follows the same pattern as "обязательство".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for обязательство:

• долг (duty)
• ответственность (responsibility)

Note: "долг" often implies a moral obligation, while "ответственность" focuses on accountability.

Antonyms for обязательство:

• свобода (freedom)
• безответственность (irresponsibility)

Related Phrases:

• взять на себя обязательство - To take on a commitment (formal or legal).
• приверженность идеалам - Commitment to ideals (ideological dedication).
• дать обещание - To make a commitment (personal promise).

Usage Notes:

• "обязательство" is the most formal of the translations and is often used in legal or professional contexts. It does not carry an emotional connotation.
• "приверженность" conveys a deeper, often emotional or ideological attachment, making it suitable for contexts involving loyalty or dedication.
• "обещание" is more personal and informal, often interchangeable with "promise" in English. It may not always imply a binding obligation.
• Choosing the right translation depends on the context: use "обязательство" for contracts, "приверженность" for dedication, and "обещание" for personal pledges.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "обещание" in formal or legal contexts.
  Incorrect: Подписать обещание. (Sign a promise)
  Correct: Подписать обязательство. (Sign a commitment)
  Explanation: "обещание" sounds too informal for legal documents; "обязательство" is the appropriate term.
• Error: Using "приверженность" for a simple promise.
  Incorrect: Я дал приверженность прийти. (I gave a commitment to come)
  Correct: Я дал обещание прийти. (I made a commitment to come)
  Explanation: "приверженность" implies long-term dedication, not a one-time promise.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, commitments, especially personal ones ("обещание"), are taken seriously, and breaking a promise can be seen as a significant breach of trust. Formal commitments ("обязательство") are often associated with written agreements or contracts, reflecting the importance of documentation in Russian bureaucracy.

Related Concepts:

• долг (duty)
• верность (loyalty)
• ответственность (responsibility)