Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Committee'

English Word: Committee

Key Russian Translations:

• комитет [kəmʲɪˈtʲet] - [Formal, General Use]
• комиссия [kɐˈmʲisʲɪjə] - [Formal, Often Used in Specific Contexts like Investigations]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

комитет: [kəmʲɪˈtʲet]

Note on комитет: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'е' sounds like 'ye' in 'yes'.

комиссия: [kɐˈmʲisʲɪjə]

Note on комиссия: Stress on the second syllable. The ending 'ия' is pronounced softly as 'ee-ya'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A group of people appointed for a specific function

Translation(s) & Context:

• комитет - Commonly used for official or organizational groups (e.g., parliamentary or executive committees).
• комиссия - Often used for temporary or investigative bodies (e.g., a commission of inquiry).

Usage Examples:

• Комитет по образованию утвердил новые правила.

  The Education Committee approved new rules.

• Комитет собрался для обсуждения бюджета.

  The committee met to discuss the budget.

• Комиссия была создана для расследования аварии.

  A commission was established to investigate the accident.

• Комиссия проверила все документы перед сделкой.

  The commission reviewed all documents before the deal.

• Этот комитет отвечает за международные связи.

  This committee is responsible for international relations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

комитет (Masculine Noun): Follows the standard masculine declension pattern in Russian.

комиссия (Feminine Noun): Follows the standard feminine declension pattern in Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for комитет/комиссия:

• совет (council, often broader in scope)
• группа (group, less formal)

Note: "совет" can imply a more advisory role, while "группа" is less formal and less structured.

Antonyms for комитет/комиссия:

• индивидуум (individual, as opposed to a collective body)

Related Phrases:

• исполнительный комитет - Executive committee (used for high-level decision-making bodies).
• комиссия по правам человека - Human Rights Commission (specific investigative or monitoring body).
• член комитета - Committee member (refers to an individual belonging to a committee).

Usage Notes:

• "Комитет" is the more general term for a committee and is widely used in formal and organizational contexts, such as government or corporate settings.
• "Комиссия" often implies a temporary or specialized group, frequently associated with tasks like investigations or evaluations.
• Choose "комитет" for permanent or standing bodies and "комиссия" for ad-hoc or specific-purpose groups.
• Both terms are formal and should not be used in casual conversation to refer to informal groups.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "комиссия" for a permanent committee.
  Incorrect: Комиссия по финансам собирается каждый месяц.
  Correct: Комитет по финансам собирается каждый месяц.
  Explanation: "Комитет" is more appropriate for recurring or standing bodies, while "комиссия" suggests a temporary group.
• Error: Incorrect case usage due to misunderstanding of Russian declensions.
  Incorrect: Я написал письмо комитет.
  Correct: Я написал письмо комитету.
  Explanation: The dative case ("комитету") is required after "письмо" (letter to).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian-speaking countries, the term "комитет" often evokes associations with Soviet-era bureaucratic structures, such as the "Central Committee" (Центральный комитет) of the Communist Party. While the term is still widely used in modern contexts, it may carry a historical connotation for some speakers. "Комиссия," on the other hand, is often linked to specific tasks or investigations, reflecting a more focused scope.

Related Concepts:

• совет (council)
• правление (board)
• ассамблея (assembly)