Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Concerning'

English Word: concerning

Key Russian Translations:

• относительно [ɐtˈnosɪtʲɪlnə] - [Formal, Prepositional Usage]
• касательно [kɐˈsatʲɪlnə] - [Formal, Often Used in Writing]
• по поводу [pə pɐˈvodu] - [Neutral, Common in Speech]

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

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "относительно" and "по поводу"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "касательно"

Pronunciation (Russian):

относительно: [ɐtˈnosɪtʲɪlnə]

Note on относительно: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "о" sounds like a reduced "a" in unstressed positions.

касательно: [kɐˈsatʲɪlnə]

Note on касательно: Similar stress pattern to "относительно", with a clear "a" sound in the stressed syllable.

по поводу: [pə pɐˈvodu]

Note on по поводу: Stress is on "во" in "поводу". The preposition "по" is unstressed.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Regarding or Relating to (General Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• относительно - Used in formal or neutral contexts to indicate something is "concerning" or "with regard to".
• по поводу - Common in conversational speech, often used to discuss reasons or topics.

Usage Examples:

• Относительно вашего запроса, мы подготовили отчет.

  Concerning your request, we have prepared a report.

• По поводу завтрашней встречи, вы можете подтвердить время?

  Concerning tomorrow's meeting, can you confirm the time?

• У меня есть вопрос относительно нового проекта.

  I have a question concerning the new project.

2. Touching Upon or Pertaining to (Formal/Written Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• касательно - Primarily used in formal writing or speech to mean "with respect to".

Usage Examples:

• Касательно данного вопроса, решение будет принято позже.

  Concerning this issue, the decision will be made later.

• В письме были замечания касательно сроков выполнения.

  The letter contained comments concerning the deadlines.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

относительно: This is an adverb and does not inflect. It is derived from the adjective "относительный" (relative), but as an adverb, it remains unchanged regardless of context.

касательно: Similarly, this is an adverb and does not inflect. It is often used as a preposition in formal contexts, requiring the genitive case for the following noun.

по поводу: This is a prepositional phrase. "По" is a preposition, and "поводу" is the dative singular form of "повод" (reason/occasion). It requires the genitive case for the noun it governs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• в отношении (in relation to)
• о (about, concerning)

Note: "в отношении" is more formal and often used in legal contexts, while "о" is more general and less specific.

Antonyms:

• безотносительно (irrespective of)

Related Phrases:

• по поводу и без повода - "for a reason and without a reason" (used to describe frequent or unjustified actions)
• относительно недавно - "relatively recently" (used to describe a timeframe)

Usage Notes:

• "относительно" is often used in academic or formal discussions to indicate a relative or comparative context. It is less common in casual speech.
• "касательно" is mostly found in written language or very formal speech. It can sound outdated or overly bureaucratic in everyday conversation.
• "по поводу" is the most versatile and widely used in spoken Russian, suitable for both formal and informal settings, often implying a reason or topic of discussion.

Common Errors:

1. Misusing "касательно" in informal speech: English speakers might overuse "касательно" in casual contexts because it sounds similar to "concerning". However, it is rarely used in everyday conversation. Incorrect: "Касательно твоего вопроса..." (sounds overly formal). Correct: "По поводу твоего вопроса..."

2. Forgetting case agreement with "по поводу": This phrase requires the genitive case for the noun it governs. Incorrect: "По поводу встреча..." Correct: "По поводу встречи..."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, discussing topics "concerning" something often carries a tone of formality or importance, especially when using "относительно" or "касательно". Russians might prefer "по поводу" in casual settings to avoid sounding overly stiff or detached, reflecting a cultural preference for directness in personal interactions.

Related Concepts:

• в связи с (in connection with)
• насчет (regarding, about)