Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Defect'

English Word: defect

Key Russian Translations:

• дефект [ˈdʲefekt] - [Formal, Neutral]
• недостаток [nʲɪdɐˈstatək] - [Neutral, Often used for flaws or shortcomings]
• брак [brak] - [Informal, Specific to manufacturing defects]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in technical and everyday contexts)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate, depending on context and translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

дефект: [ˈdʲefekt]

Note on дефект: Stress falls on the first syllable. The 'д' is pronounced with a soft 'd' sound due to the following 'е'.

недостаток: [nʲɪdɐˈstatək]

Note on недостаток: Stress on the third syllable. The 'н' is palatalized due to 'и'.

брак: [brak]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A flaw or imperfection (physical or technical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• дефект - Used in formal or technical contexts, e.g., defects in machinery or materials.
• брак - Refers specifically to manufacturing defects or faulty products.

Usage Examples:

• На этом изделии есть дефект.

  There is a defect in this product.

• Этот товар - брак, его нельзя продавать.

  This item is defective; it cannot be sold.

• Инженер обнаружил дефект в конструкции.

  The engineer found a defect in the design.

2. A shortcoming or deficiency (abstract or personal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• недостаток - Used for personal flaws, weaknesses, or lacks in abstract contexts.

Usage Examples:

• У него есть недостаток - он слишком упрям.

  He has a defect - he is too stubborn.

• Недостаток опыта мешает ему в работе.

  A lack of experience hinders him at work.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

дефект (noun, masculine): Follows the regular masculine noun declension pattern.

недостаток (noun, masculine): Similar regular masculine declension as above.

брак (noun, masculine): Regular masculine noun, follows similar declension pattern.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for дефект/недостаток/брак:

• изъян (flaw, blemish - more colloquial)
• повреждение (damage - for physical defects)
• недочёт (shortcoming - often bureaucratic or formal)

Antonyms for дефект/недостаток:

• достоинство (merit, advantage)
• совершенство (perfection)

Related Phrases:

• дефект речи - speech defect (used in medical or formal contexts)
• заводской брак - manufacturing defect (common in product quality discussions)
• исправить недостаток - to correct a flaw (used for personal or abstract shortcomings)

Usage Notes:

• дефект is the most direct translation for "defect" in technical or formal contexts, such as product quality or engineering. It is less common in personal or abstract contexts.
• недостаток is more versatile and often used for personal flaws, lacks, or abstract deficiencies. It is not suitable for physical product defects.
• брак is specific to defective goods or manufacturing flaws and should not be used for personal traits. Be cautious, as "брак" also means "marriage" in Russian, depending on context.

Common Errors:

• Mixing up "брак" (defect) with "брак" (marriage): English learners often confuse the two meanings due to identical spelling. Incorrect: "У меня брак в отношениях" (intended: defect in relationship). Correct: "У меня недостаток в отношениях" (a flaw in relationship).
• Using "дефект" for personal flaws: Avoid saying "У меня дефект характера" as it sounds unnatural. Use "недостаток характера" instead for "character flaw".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the term "брак" (defect) is commonly used in consumer contexts, especially when discussing product returns or quality complaints. It reflects a cultural emphasis on identifying and addressing manufacturing flaws openly, often in marketplaces or stores.

Related Concepts:

• качество (quality)
• ремонт (repair)
• ошибка (error, mistake)