Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Compulsion'

English Word: Compulsion

Key Russian Translations:

• принуждение [prʲɪnʊʐˈdʲenʲɪjə] - [Formal, Neutral]
• навязчивое желание [nɐˈvʲaztɕɪvəjə zʲɪˈlanʲɪjə] - [Psychological Context, Neutral]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "принуждение"; B2-C1 (Intermediate-Advanced) for "навязчивое желание"

Pronunciation (Russian):

принуждение: [prʲɪnʊʐˈdʲenʲɪjə]

Note on принуждение: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "ж" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, unique to Russian.

навязчивое желание: [nɐˈvʲaztɕɪvəjə zʲɪˈlanʲɪjə]

Note on навязчивое желание: Stress falls on the second syllable of "навязчивое" and the second syllable of "желание." Pay attention to the soft consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Forcing someone to do something (External Force)

Translation(s) & Context:

• принуждение - Used in formal or legal contexts to denote coercion or enforcement.

Usage Examples:

• Его действия были результатом принуждения со стороны начальства.

  His actions were the result of compulsion from his superiors.

• Принуждение к труду запрещено законом.

  Compulsion to labor is prohibited by law.

• Она чувствовала принуждение подписать договор.

  She felt compulsion to sign the contract.

2. Irresistible urge or obsession (Psychological)

Translation(s) & Context:

• навязчивое желание - Often used in psychological or personal contexts to describe an obsessive urge.

Usage Examples:

• У него было навязчивое желание всё контролировать.

  He had a compulsion to control everything.

• Навязчивое желание проверить замки не давало ей покоя.

  The compulsion to check the locks wouldn’t let her rest.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

принуждение (Noun, Neuter):

Note: "принуждение" does not have a plural form as it is an abstract noun.

навязчивое желание (Compound Phrase): "навязчивое" is an adjective agreeing with "желание" (neuter noun). Both decline based on case, number, and gender for "навязчивое."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for принуждение:

• давление
• насилие (in extreme contexts)

Note: "давление" implies pressure, while "насилие" is stronger, often implying violence.

Synonyms for навязчивое желание:

• одержимость
• мания

Antonyms for принуждение:

• свобода
• добровольность

Related Phrases:

• принуждение к действию - Compulsion to act; often used in legal or formal contexts.
• навязчивое желание что-то сделать - Compulsion to do something; common in describing personal urges.

Usage Notes:

• "принуждение" is more formal and often used in contexts of coercion or legal enforcement. It does not carry the psychological connotation of an internal urge.
• "навязчивое желание" specifically refers to an internal, often uncontrollable urge or obsession, and is rarely used for external force.
• Choose the translation based on whether the context is external (force/coercion) or internal (psychological urge).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "принуждение" to describe a personal obsession. Incorrect: У меня принуждение мыть руки. Correct: У меня навязчивое желание мыть руки. Explanation: "принуждение" implies external force, not an internal urge.
• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation, e.g., stressing the first syllable of "принуждение." Explanation: Correct stress is on the third syllable: [prʲɪnʊʐˈdʲenʲɪjə].

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "принуждение" (coercion) can carry historical weight due to the country's past experiences with authoritarian regimes. It may evoke stronger negative connotations than in English. Meanwhile, "навязчивое желание" is often discussed in modern psychological contexts, reflecting growing awareness of mental health.

Related Concepts:

• давление (pressure)
• одержимость (obsession)
• свобода воли (free will)