Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Contract'

English Word: contract

Key Russian Translations:

• договор [dɐˈɡovor] - [Formal, Commonly used in legal and business contexts]
• контракт [kɐnˈtrakt] - [Formal, Often used in international or sports contexts]

Frequency: High (both translations are widely used)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

договор: [dɐˈɡovor]

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

контракт: [kɐnˈtrakt]

Note on контракт: Stress on the second syllable. Borrowed from English, so pronunciation is similar but with rolled 'r'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A formal agreement (Legal/Business)

Translation(s) & Context:

• договор - Most common in legal, business, or formal agreements in Russian.
• контракт - Often used for international agreements or contracts in specific fields like sports or entertainment.

Usage Examples:

• Мы подписали договор о сотрудничестве.

  We signed a cooperation agreement.

• Договор должен быть заверен нотариусом.

  The contract must be notarized.

• Футболист подписал контракт с новым клубом.

  The footballer signed a contract with a new club.

• Контракт был расторгнут по обоюдному согласию.

  The contract was terminated by mutual consent.

• Условия договора были нарушены.

  The terms of the contract were violated.

2. To shrink or become smaller (Physical sense, less common)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сокращаться - Used as a verb in the context of physical contraction or reduction.

Usage Examples:

• Мышцы сокращаются при нагрузке.

  Muscles contract under strain.

• Металл сокращается при охлаждении.

  Metal contracts when cooled.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

договор (Noun, Masculine):

контракт (Noun, Masculine): Follows similar declension patterns to "договор" as a masculine noun ending in a consonant.

сокращаться (Verb, Reflexive): Conjugates as a regular first-conjugation reflexive verb. Example: сокращаюсь, сокращаешься, сокращается (present tense).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for договор/контракт (Agreement):

• соглашение
• конвенция (more formal)

Note: "соглашение" is often used for less formal or broader agreements, while "конвенция" implies international treaties.

Antonyms for договор/контракт (Agreement):

• разрыв
• отказ

Related Phrases:

• заключить договор - To conclude a contract/agreement.
• расторгнуть контракт - To terminate a contract.
• условия договора - Terms of the contract.
• подписать договор - To sign a contract.

Usage Notes:

• "Договор" is the more versatile and native Russian term for a contract or agreement and is suitable for most formal contexts.
• "Контракт" is often used in specific fields like sports, entertainment, or international business, reflecting its borrowed origin from English.
• When using "договор," pay attention to its genitive form "договора" (singular) which is commonly used after prepositions like "по" (as in "по договору").

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "контракт" in all contexts instead of "договор."
  Incorrect: Мы подписали контракт о найме квартиры.
  Correct: Мы подписали договор о найме квартиры.
  Explanation: "Договор" is more appropriate for domestic or general agreements like renting an apartment.
• Error: Incorrect stress in pronunciation of "договор." Stressing the first syllable instead of the second.
  Explanation: Always stress the second syllable [dɐˈɡovor], as misplacing stress can lead to misunderstandings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, formal agreements ("договор") often carry significant weight, and verbal agreements are sometimes considered less binding. Written contracts are crucial in business and legal dealings, and notarization is common for major agreements like property leases.

Related Concepts:

• сделка (deal/transaction)
• обязательство (obligation)
• условие (condition/term)