Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'deed'

English Word: deed

Key Russian Translations:

• дело [ˈdʲeɫə] - [Neutral, Common Usage]
• поступок [pɐˈstupək] - [Often Emotional or Moral Context]
• акт [akt] - [Formal, Legal or Official Context]

Frequency: Medium (varies by context; "дело" is more common in everyday speech)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner-Intermediate; "дело" is easier, while "акт" may require B2 due to formal usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

дело: [ˈdʲeɫə]

Note on дело: Stress falls on the first syllable; the "е" sounds like "ye" in "yes."

поступок: [pɐˈstupək]

Note on поступок: Stress on the second syllable; the "у" is pronounced as a short "oo."

акт: [akt]

Note on акт: A short, sharp word with no vowel reduction; stress on the single syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. An Action or Something Done

Translation(s) & Context:

• дело - Used for general actions, tasks, or matters (neutral tone).
• поступок - Refers to a specific act, often with moral or emotional significance.

Usage Examples:

• Это важное дело для нашей команды.

  This is an important deed/matter for our team.

• Его поступок всех удивил.

  His deed/action surprised everyone.

• Сделай это дело до вечера.

  Finish this deed/task by evening.

2. A Legal Document or Contract

Translation(s) & Context:

• акт - Used in formal or legal contexts to refer to a deed as a document.

Usage Examples:

• Мы подписали акт передачи собственности.

  We signed the deed of property transfer.

• Этот акт подтверждает наши права.

  This deed confirms our rights.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

дело (neuter noun): Regular declension in all cases.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	дело	дела
Genitive	дела	дел
Dative	делу	делам
Accusative	дело	дела
Instrumental	делом	делами
Prepositional	деле	делах

поступок (masculine noun): Regular declension, similar to other masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

акт (masculine noun): Regular declension, no significant irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for дело:

• занятие (occupation, task)
• работа (work, job) - in specific contexts

Synonyms for поступок:

• действие (action)
• шаг (step, move) - in figurative sense

Antonyms: None directly applicable across all contexts.

Related Phrases:

• взять дело в свои руки - "to take matters into one's own hands."
• хороший поступок - "a good deed."
• акт милосердия - "an act of mercy."

Usage Notes:

• "дело" is the most versatile translation, used for tasks, matters, or general actions. It lacks the emotional weight of "поступок."
• "поступок" often implies a moral or personal choice, making it suitable for contexts involving ethical judgment.
• "акт" is strictly formal and typically used in legal or official settings; avoid using it for everyday actions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "акт" for personal actions (e.g., saying "Это мой акт" for "This is my deed"). Correction: Use "поступок" instead (e.g., "Это мой поступок"). Explanation: "акт" is formal and reserved for documents or official acts.
• Error: Misplacing stress in "дело" as [dʲeˈɫo]. Correction: Stress is on the first syllable [ˈdʲeɫə]. Explanation: Stress errors can make the word sound unnatural to native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a "поступок" (deed) often carries a strong moral connotation, reflecting personal integrity or courage. Russians may emphasize the ethical implications of one's actions more than the action itself, especially in literature and everyday discussions.

Related Concepts:

• долг (duty)
• честь (honor)
• мораль (morality)