Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Delay'

English Word: delay

Key Russian Translations:

• задержка [zɐˈdʲerʐkə] - [Formal, Noun, Often used for time or schedule delays]
• опоздание [ɐpɐˈzdanʲɪjə] - [Neutral, Noun, Used for lateness or being behind schedule]
• отсрочка [ɐtˈsrotʂkə] - [Formal, Noun, Used for postponement or deferment]

Frequency: High (commonly used in various contexts)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate, varies slightly by specific translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

задержка: [zɐˈdʲerʐkə]

Note on задержка: The stress falls on the second syllable. The "ж" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, unique to Russian.

опоздание: [ɐpɐˈzdanʲɪjə]

Note on опоздание: Stress on the third syllable. The soft "н" sound requires attention.

отсрочка: [ɐtˈsrotʂkə]

Note on отсрочка: Stress on the second syllable. The "ч" is a soft affricate sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Delay as in a time or schedule setback

Translation(s) & Context:

• задержка - Used for general delays, such as in transport or processes.
• опоздание - Specifically refers to being late or tardiness.

Usage Examples:

• Поезд опоздал из-за задержки на станции.

  The train was late due to a delay at the station.

• Извините за опоздание, пробки на дороге.

  Sorry for the delay, there was traffic on the road.

• Задержка в доставке составила два дня.

  The delay in delivery was two days.

2. Delay as in postponement or deferment

Translation(s) & Context:

• отсрочка - Refers to an official or intentional postponement, often in legal or formal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Мы получили отсрочку платежа на месяц.

  We received a one-month delay in payment.

• Отсрочка призыва в армию возможна по состоянию здоровья.

  A delay in military conscription is possible due to health conditions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

задержка (Noun, Feminine): Follows the first declension pattern in Russian.

опоздание (Noun, Neuter): Follows the second declension pattern. Declines similarly to other neuter nouns ending in -ие.

отсрочка (Noun, Feminine): Follows the first declension pattern, similar to "задержка."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for задержка:

• промедление (slight delay, often due to hesitation)
• заминка (hitch or brief delay)

Antonyms for задержка:

• ускорение (acceleration)
• своевременность (timeliness)

Related Phrases:

• задержка рейса - Flight delay
• опоздание на работу - Being late for work
• отсрочка исполнения - Deferment of execution (e.g., of a sentence or obligation)

Usage Notes:

• "Задержка" is the most general term for "delay" and can be used in a wide range of contexts, from transport to abstract delays in processes.
• "Опоздание" specifically implies lateness, often personal (e.g., arriving late to a meeting), and is not suitable for intentional postponements.
• "Отсрочка" is formal and typically used for deliberate or official postponements, such as legal or financial deferments.
• Choose the appropriate term based on the context and formality of the situation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "опоздание" for a formal postponement. Incorrect: "Опоздание платежа" (Lateness of payment). Correct: "Отсрочка платежа" (Deferment of payment). Explanation: "Опоздание" implies personal tardiness, not an agreed-upon delay.
• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation (e.g., stressing the first syllable of "задержка"). Explanation: Stress in Russian is crucial and changes meaning; always stress the second syllable in "задержка."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, punctuality is highly valued in formal and professional settings. Discussing "опоздание" (lateness) may carry a negative connotation, and apologies are expected if a delay occurs. Additionally, "отсрочка" often appears in bureaucratic or legal contexts, reflecting the importance of formal agreements in Russian administrative culture.

Related Concepts:

• время (time)
• график (schedule)
• пунктуальность (punctuality)