Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Compensate'

English Word: Compensate

Key Russian Translations:

• компенсировать [kəmpʲɪnˈsʲirəvətʲ] - [Formal, General Use]
• возмещать [vəzmʲɪˈʂːatʲ] - [Formal, Often Legal or Financial Contexts]
• вознаграждать [vəznəɡrɐˈʐdatʲ] - [Formal/Informal, Often for Reward or Compensation in Effort]

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

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

Pronunciation (Russian):

компенсировать: [kəmpʲɪnˈsʲirəvətʲ]

Note on компенсировать: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "р" sound is rolled slightly, which may be challenging for non-native speakers.

возмещать: [vəzmʲɪˈʂːatʲ]

Note on возмещать: Pay attention to the soft "щ" sound, which is distinct in Russian.

вознаграждать: [vəznəɡrɐˈʐdatʲ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To make up for a loss or deficiency

Translation(s) & Context:

• компенсировать - Used generally to imply balancing or offsetting a loss or disadvantage.
• возмещать - Often used in legal or financial contexts to mean "to reimburse" or "to indemnify."

Usage Examples:

• Мы должны компенсировать убытки, вызванные задержкой.

  We must compensate for the losses caused by the delay.

• Компания обязана возместить ущерб клиентам.

  The company is obliged to compensate clients for the damage.

• Ничто не может компенсировать потерю времени.

  Nothing can compensate for the loss of time.

2. To reward or pay someone for their efforts or services

Translation(s) & Context:

• вознаграждать - Used to imply giving a reward or compensation for work or effort, often with a positive connotation.

Usage Examples:

• Его вознаградили за усердную работу премией.

  He was compensated for his hard work with a bonus.

• Мы хотим вознаградить вас за помощь.

  We want to compensate you for your help.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

компенсировать (verb, imperfective): Regular conjugation in the present, past, and future tenses. Below is the present tense conjugation:

Person	Form
1st Singular (I)	компенсирую
2nd Singular (You)	компенсируешь
3rd Singular (He/She/It)	компенсирует
1st Plural (We)	компенсируем
2nd Plural (You all)	компенсируете
3rd Plural (They)	компенсируют

возмещать (verb, imperfective): Follows similar regular conjugation patterns as above.

вознаграждать (verb, imperfective): Also regular, with a slight variation in stem stress in some forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for компенсировать/возмещать:

• возместить (perfective form of возмещать)
• покрывать (to cover, in financial contexts)

Synonyms for вознаграждать:

• награждать (to reward)
• отблагодарить (to thank with a reward)

Antonyms:

• лишать (to deprive)
• отнимать (to take away)

Note: Synonyms like "покрывать" are more specific to financial compensation, while "награждать" aligns more with rewarding.

Related Phrases:

• компенсировать затраты - to compensate for expenses.
• возместить ущерб - to compensate for damage (legal/financial).
• вознаградить за труды - to compensate for efforts (often positive).

Usage Notes:

• "Компенсировать" is the most neutral and widely used term for "compensate" in Russian, applicable in most contexts.
• "Возмещать" is more formal and often tied to legal or financial compensation, such as reimbursements or damages.
• "Вознаграждать" implies a reward or positive compensation, often for effort or service, and may not fit in negative contexts like compensating for a loss.
• Be mindful of the aspect (imperfective/perfective) when choosing verbs in Russian sentences, as it affects the meaning (e.g., "компенсировать" vs. "скомпенсировать").

Common Errors:

Error 1: Using "вознаграждать" for negative compensation.

Incorrect: "Мы вознаградили убытки." (We rewarded the losses.)

Correct: "Мы компенсировали убытки." (We compensated for the losses.)

Explanation: "Вознаграждать" carries a positive connotation and should not be used for neutral or negative compensation like losses.

Error 2: Ignoring verb aspect.

Incorrect: "Я компенсировал это вчера." (Imperfective used for a completed action.)

Correct: "Я скомпенсировал это вчера." (Perfective for a completed action.)

Explanation: Russian verbs often come in pairs (imperfective/perfective), and the choice affects the meaning of completion.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of compensation, especially in terms of rewarding effort ("вознаграждать"), often carries a sense of gratitude or moral obligation. Offering compensation for help or service is seen as a polite and respectful gesture, particularly in personal or professional relationships.

Related Concepts:

• вознаграждение (reward, compensation)
• компенсация (compensation, reimbursement)
• ущерб (damage, loss)