Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Comply'

English Word: comply

Key Russian Translations:

• соблюдать [sɐˈblʲudətʲ] - [Formal, Often used in legal or official contexts]
• выполнять [vɨˈpolnʲətʲ] - [Neutral, Used for fulfilling rules or requests]
• подчиняться [pɐt͡ɕɪˈnʲat͡sə] - [Formal/Informal, Implies submission to authority]

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

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies slightly by translation: "соблюдать" - B2, "выполнять" - B1, "подчиняться" - B1)

Pronunciation (Russian):

соблюдать: [sɐˈblʲudətʲ]

Note on соблюдать: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ю" is pronounced as a soft "u" sound.

выполнять: [vɨˈpolnʲətʲ]

Note on выполнять: Stress on the second syllable. The "ы" is a distinct Russian vowel, not found in English.

подчиняться: [pɐt͡ɕɪˈnʲat͡sə]

Note on подчиняться: Stress on the third syllable. The "ч" is a soft "ch" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To follow rules or laws

Translation(s) & Context:

• соблюдать - Used in formal contexts, often related to laws, regulations, or traditions.
• выполнять - Neutral, often used for following instructions or fulfilling obligations.

Usage Examples:

• Все граждане должны соблюдать законы страны.

  All citizens must comply with the laws of the country.

• Необходимо выполнять правила безопасности на рабочем месте.

  It is necessary to comply with safety rules at the workplace.

• Мы обязаны соблюдать традиции нашей семьи.

  We are obliged to comply with our family traditions.

2. To obey or submit to authority

Translation(s) & Context:

• подчиняться - Used when implying submission or obedience to someone or something.

Usage Examples:

• Солдаты должны подчиняться приказам командира.

  Soldiers must comply with the commander’s orders.

• Он не хотел подчиняться новым правилам.

  He didn’t want to comply with the new rules.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All translations are verbs and follow regular conjugation patterns in Russian. Below is an example conjugation table for соблюдать (imperfective aspect, often used for ongoing or habitual actions). Note that other translations ("выполнять", "подчиняться") have similar patterns but may differ in aspect or reflexivity.

Person	Present Tense (соблюдать)
Я (I)	соблюдаю [sɐˈblʲudəju]
Ты (You, sing.)	соблюдаешь [sɐˈblʲudəɪʂ]
Он/Она/Оно (He/She/It)	соблюдает [sɐˈblʲudəɪt]
Мы (We)	соблюдаем [sɐˈblʲudəɪm]
Вы (You, pl./formal)	соблюдаете [sɐˈblʲudəɪtʲɪ]
Они (They)	соблюдают [sɐˈblʲudəjut]

Note: "подчиняться" is a reflexive verb and requires the particle "-ся" in all forms. "выполнять" can have a perfective counterpart "выполнить" for completed actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "соблюдать":

• следовать (to follow, often used for rules or principles)
• придерживаться (to adhere to, often for guidelines or beliefs)

Synonyms for "подчиняться":

• повиноваться (to obey, more archaic or literary)

Antonyms:

• нарушать (to violate, to break rules)
• игнорировать (to ignore, to disregard)

Related Phrases:

• соблюдать правила (to comply with rules) - Commonly used for following regulations or guidelines.
• выполнять обязанности (to comply with duties) - Refers to fulfilling responsibilities or tasks.
• подчиняться приказу (to comply with an order) - Often used in military or hierarchical contexts.

Usage Notes:

• "соблюдать" is the most formal of the translations and is often used in written or official contexts, such as laws, traditions, or etiquette.
• "выполнять" is more neutral and versatile, suitable for instructions, tasks, or obligations in both formal and informal settings.
• "подчиняться" often carries a connotation of submission or obedience to authority and may sound stronger or more hierarchical than the English "comply."
• Choose the translation based on the context: use "соблюдать" for laws or customs, "выполнять" for tasks or requests, and "подчиняться" for authority or orders.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "подчиняться" in contexts where no authority is implied. For example, saying "Я подчиняюсь правилам школы" might sound overly submissive. Correct: Use "соблюдать" instead: "Я соблюдаю правила школы" (I comply with school rules).
• Error: Forgetting the reflexive particle "-ся" with "подчиняться." Incorrect: "Я подчиняю." Correct: "Я подчиняюсь."
• Error: Misusing aspects (imperfective vs. perfective) with "выполнять." For ongoing compliance, use "выполнять"; for one-time completion, use "выполнить."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of compliance, especially with authority or rules, can carry a stronger sense of obligation than in some English-speaking contexts. "подчиняться" may imply a hierarchical relationship, reflecting historical and cultural emphasis on authority. Using "соблюдать" for traditions or customs also highlights the importance of cultural norms in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• законопослушность (law-abiding behavior)
• дисциплина (discipline)
• обязанность (duty, obligation)