Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'culpable'

English Word: culpable

Key Russian Translations:

• виновный /vɪˈnovnɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective, Used in legal or moral contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly used in legal, ethical, or everyday discussions of responsibility, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding adjective declensions and contexts; learners at this level should grasp it with practice).

Pronunciation (Russian):

виновный: /vɪˈnovnɨj/

Note on виновный: The stress is on the second syllable (/no/), and the final "ый" sound can vary slightly in informal speech, becoming softer as /ɨj/.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Deserving blame or guilt, especially in a moral, legal, or ethical sense.

Translation(s) & Context:

• виновный - Used in formal contexts to describe someone or something at fault, such as in court proceedings or ethical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он виновен в нарушении правил. (On vinoven v narušeni pravil.)

  He is culpable for breaking the rules.

• Суд признал компанию виновной в экологическом ущербе. (Sud priznal kompaniju vinovnoj v ekologičeskom uščerbe.)

  The court found the company culpable for environmental damage.

• Виновный водитель был оштрафован. (Vinovnyj voditel' byl oštrafovan.)

  The culpable driver was fined.

• Она чувствует себя виновной за произошедшее. (Ona čuvstvuet sebja vinovnoj za proisshedšee.)

  She feels culpable for what happened.

• Виновные лица должны понести ответственность. (Vinovnye lica dolžny ponesti otvetstvennost'.)

  Culpable individuals must bear responsibility. (Note: This example shows the plural form in a formal context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Виновный" is an adjective in Russian, which means it changes based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard first-declension adjective pattern with some irregularities in certain forms. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not change in short form adjectives, but in modern usage, the full form is more common. It is irregular in that it doesn't have a short neuter form like some adjectives.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • виноватый (vinovatyj) - Similar but slightly less formal, often used for personal guilt.
  • преступный (prestupnyj) - Implies criminality, with a nuance of illegality.
• Antonyms:
  • невиновный (nevinovnyj) - Directly opposite, meaning innocent.
  • невиноватый (nevinovatyj) - A softer version, implying not at fault in everyday contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Быть виновным (byt' vinovnym) - To be culpable; used in legal confessions. (Literal: To be guilty)
• Признать себя виновным (priznat' sebja vinovnym) - To plead guilty; a common phrase in court settings. (Literal: To admit oneself as culpable)
• Виновный в преступлении (vinovnyj v prestuplenii) - Culpable for a crime; often in formal accusations. (Literal: Guilty in a crime)

Usage Notes:

"Виновный" directly corresponds to "culpable" in English, particularly in contexts involving moral or legal responsibility. It is an adjective that must agree with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case, which is a key grammatical feature in Russian. For example, use it in formal settings like legal documents rather than casual conversation. When choosing between synonyms like "виноватый," opt for "виновный" in more serious contexts. Be mindful of sentence structure; Russian often places the adjective before the noun, e.g., "виновный человек" (culpable person).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я вижу виновный" instead of "Я вижу виновного" in accusative case.

  Correct: "Я вижу виновного" (I see the culpable one). Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the case of the noun; here, "виновного" is accusative masculine.

• Error: Confusing with nouns, e.g., treating "виновный" as a noun like "guilty party" without proper context.

  Correct: Use it as an adjective, e.g., "виновный человек," not standalone. Explanation: In Russian, adjectives need to modify a noun to function properly in a sentence.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and legal systems, the concept of being "culpable" or "виновный" often carries a strong emphasis on collective responsibility, especially in historical contexts like Soviet-era trials. For instance, during the Stalinist period, accusations of guilt were not just personal but could implicate families, reflecting a broader cultural nuance where individual culpability intersects with societal judgment.

Related Concepts:

• преступление (prestuplenie) - Crime
• ответственность (otvetstvennost') - Responsibility
• суд (sud) - Court