Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Confiscate'

English Word: Confiscate

Key Russian Translations:

• конфисковать [kənfʲɪˈskovətʲ] - [Formal, Verb]
• изъять [ɪzˈjætʲ] - [Formal, Verb, Often used in legal contexts]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

конфисковать: [kənfʲɪˈskovətʲ]

Note on конфисковать: Stress falls on the third syllable. The 'о' in the stressed syllable is pronounced as a clear 'o'.

изъять: [ɪzˈjætʲ]

Note on изъять: Stress falls on the second syllable. The soft 'я' sound can be challenging for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To take or seize (property) with authority

Translation(s) & Context:

• конфисковать - Used in formal or legal contexts for seizing property or goods by authorities.
• изъять - Often used in legal or official contexts, implies removal or withdrawal by authority.

Usage Examples:

• Правительство конфисковало имущество у нарушителей закона.

  The government confiscated property from law violators.

• Таможня изъяла контрабандные товары на границе.

  Customs seized contraband goods at the border.

• Суд постановил конфисковать все незаконно приобретённые активы.

  The court ordered to confiscate all illegally acquired assets.

• Полиция изъяла наркотики во время рейда.

  The police seized drugs during the raid.

• Власти конфисковали оборудование из-за нарушения правил.

  The authorities confiscated the equipment due to rule violations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

конфисковать (Verb, Perfective and Imperfective aspects available as конфисковать/конфисковывать):

изъять (Verb, Perfective only, no direct imperfective form; often paired with изымать for imperfective):

Note: This verb follows a more limited conjugation pattern due to its perfective nature. Consult additional resources for full conjugation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for конфисковать/изъять:

• отобрать (to take away, less formal)
• лишить (to deprive, broader context)

Antonyms for конфисковать/изъять:

• вернуть (to return)
• отдать (to give back)

Note: Synonyms like "отобрать" are less formal and can imply a personal rather than legal action.

Related Phrases:

• конфисковать имущество - to confiscate property (legal context)
• изъять из обращения - to withdraw from circulation (e.g., money or goods)
• конфисковать по решению суда - to confiscate by court order

Usage Notes:

• Both "конфисковать" and "изъять" are formal verbs often used in legal, governmental, or official contexts. "Конфисковать" is more specific to confiscation of property, while "изъять" can also mean "to withdraw" or "to remove" in broader contexts.
• Use "конфисковать" when referring to permanent seizure, often as a penalty. Use "изъять" for temporary or procedural removal, such as during an investigation.
• Be mindful of the aspect: "конфисковать" (perfective) and "конфисковывать" (imperfective) differ in nuance (completed vs. ongoing action).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "конфисковать" in informal contexts. Incorrect: "Я конфисковал его игрушку." (I confiscated his toy.)
  Correct: Use "отобрать" for informal contexts: "Я отобрал его игрушку."
• Error: Ignoring verbal aspect. Incorrect: Using "конфисковывать" for a one-time completed action.
  Correct: Use "конфисковать" for completed actions: "Они конфисковали машину." (They confiscated the car.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian-speaking countries, the term "конфисковать" often carries a strong association with state or legal authority, reflecting historical contexts where property confiscation was a common governmental action during Soviet times. Using this term outside formal contexts may sound overly serious or bureaucratic.

Related Concepts:

• наказание (punishment)
• штраф (fine)
• арест имущества (seizure of property)