Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Complicity'

English Word: Complicity

Key Russian Translations:

• соучастие [sɐʊˈt͡ɕastʲɪjə] - [Formal, Legal Context]
• причастность [prʲɪˈt͡ɕastnəstʲ] - [Formal, Often Abstract]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

соучастие: [sɐʊˈt͡ɕastʲɪjə]

Note on соучастие: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ч" is pronounced as a soft "ch" sound.

причастность: [prʲɪˈt͡ɕastnəstʲ]

Note on причастность: Stress on the second syllable. The "р" is rolled lightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Involvement in a Crime or Wrongdoing

Translation(s) & Context:

• соучастие - Commonly used in legal contexts to imply active participation or collaboration in a crime.

Usage Examples:

• Его обвинили в соучастии в краже.

  He was accused of complicity in the theft.

• Соучастие в преступлении карается законом.

  Complicity in a crime is punishable by law.

• Она отрицала своё соучастие в этом деле.

  She denied her complicity in this matter.

2. Implied Connection or Involvement (Abstract)

Translation(s) & Context:

• причастность - Used for a more abstract sense of involvement, often not directly tied to wrongdoing.

Usage Examples:

• Его причастность к проекту была минимальной.

  His complicity in the project was minimal.

• Причастность к культуре этой страны очевидна в его работах.

  His complicity with the culture of this country is evident in his works.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

соучастие (Noun, Neuter, 2nd Declension)

Case	Singular
Nominative	соучастие
Genitive	соучастия
Dative	соучастию
Accusative	соучастие
Instrumental	соучастием
Prepositional	соучастии

Note: This noun does not have a plural form in common usage.

причастность (Noun, Feminine, 3rd Declension)

Case	Singular
Nominative	причастность
Genitive	причастности
Dative	причастности
Accusative	причастность
Instrumental	причастностью
Prepositional	причастности

Note: This noun also lacks a plural form in typical usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for соучастие:

• сговор
• участие

Note: "сговор" implies a conspiracy, while "участие" is more general participation.

Synonyms for причастность:

• связь
• отношение

Antonyms:

• невиновность (innocence, for соучастие)
• отстранённость (detachment, for причастность)

Related Phrases:

• соучастие в преступлении - Complicity in a crime (legal context).
• причастность к делу - Complicity or connection to a matter (neutral or formal).

Usage Notes:

• "соучастие" is primarily used in legal or formal contexts and often carries a negative connotation of involvement in wrongdoing. It is the more direct translation of "complicity" in criminal contexts.
• "причастность" is broader and can be used in neutral or positive contexts to indicate association or involvement without implying guilt.
• Choose "соучастие" when discussing legal responsibility or collusion; opt for "причастность" when referring to a more abstract or neutral connection.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "причастность" in a legal context to imply guilt.
  Incorrect: Его причастность к краже доказана.
  Correct: Его соучастие в краже доказано.
  Explanation: "причастность" lacks the legal weight of "соучастие" and sounds unnatural in contexts of criminal involvement.
• Error: Using "соучастие" in neutral contexts.
  Incorrect: Его соучастие к проекту вдохновляет.
  Correct: Его причастность к проекту вдохновляет.
  Explanation: "соучастие" implies wrongdoing and is inappropriate for neutral or positive involvement.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian legal and cultural contexts, "соучастие" is a term heavily associated with criminal law and carries a strong negative connotation. It is often used in discussions of Soviet and post-Soviet legal history, where collective responsibility was a significant concept. Understanding this term’s weight is crucial when discussing legal matters with Russian speakers.

Related Concepts:

• преступление (crime)
• ответственность (responsibility)
• сговор (conspiracy)