Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'digression'

English Word: digression

Key Russian Translations:

• отступление [ɐtˈstupʲlʲɪnʲe] - [Formal, used in discussions or writing]
• дигрессия [dʲɪˈɡrʲesʲɪja] - [Formal, Literary, often in academic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, speeches, and intellectual discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of contextual nuances and basic Russian grammar, with дигрессия being slightly more advanced due to its borrowed status)

Pronunciation (Russian):

отступление: [ɐtˈstupʲlʲɪnʲe]

Note on отступление: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'л' sound, which can be challenging for non-native speakers.

дигрессия: [dʲɪˈɡrʲesʲɪja]

Note on дигрессия: Pronounce the initial 'д' softly as a voiced dental; this word is a loanword from Latin, so it retains a more international flavor.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Main Meaning: A temporary departure from the main subject in speech, writing, or thought.

Translation(s) & Context:

• отступление - Used in formal contexts like lectures or essays to describe a brief deviation; common in educational or philosophical discussions.
• дигрессия - Applied in literary or rhetorical settings, such as analyzing texts, to denote a more stylistic or intentional shift.

Usage Examples:

• В своей речи оратор сделал отступление, чтобы рассказать забавную историю из детства.

  In his speech, the speaker made a digression to tell a funny story from his childhood.

• Эта дигрессия в романе помогает глубже раскрыть характер главного героя.

  This digression in the novel helps to reveal the main character's personality more deeply.

• Во время презентации менеджер совершил отступление, объяснив исторический фон проекта.

  During the presentation, the manager made a digression to explain the historical background of the project.

• Дигрессия в научной статье может быть полезной, если она подкреплена релевантными данными.

  A digression in a scientific article can be useful if it is supported by relevant data.

• Автор часто использует отступления, чтобы добавить юмор в повествование.

  The author often uses digressions to add humor to the narrative.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are nouns. отступление is a neuter noun with regular declension, while дигрессия is also neuter but less commonly inflected due to its borrowed nature. Below is a table for отступление's inflections:

For дигрессия, it follows a similar pattern but is often used in its base form without heavy inflection in modern Russian. It does not change irregularly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • отклонение (slight deviation; more neutral and common in everyday language)
  • уклонение (evasion; implies a deliberate avoidance, with a subtle negative connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • основная тема (main topic; direct opposition, focusing on the core subject)
  • прямой ход (straight course; used in narratives to indicate no deviation)

Related Phrases:

• Сделать отступление - To make a digression; used when temporarily shifting focus in a speech or text.
• Войти в дигрессию - To enter into a digression; common in literary analysis to describe narrative techniques.
• Краткое отступление - A brief digression; implies something short and purposeful, often in educational contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "digression" is best translated as отступление for general use, especially in spoken language, while дигрессия is preferred in formal or literary contexts to mirror the English term's connotations. Be mindful of the context: отступление can sometimes imply a strategic pause, whereas дигрессия emphasizes stylistic intent. When writing in Russian, ensure the word agrees in case and number with surrounding elements, as Russian nouns inflect. For English learners, choose отступление if the digression is casual, and дигрессия for academic writing to maintain precision.

• Always consider the audience: Formal settings favor these terms over simpler alternatives.
• In conversational Russian, you might opt for phrases like "отойти от темы" instead for more natural flow.

Common Errors:

One common mistake is confusing отступление with уклонение, where learners might use уклонение to mean a neutral digression, but it actually implies evasion or dodging, which can change the meaning negatively. For example:

• Incorrect: В разговоре он сделал уклонение от главной темы. (This suggests he was avoiding the topic dishonestly.)
• Correct: В разговоре он сделал отступление от главной темы. (This neutrally indicates a temporary shift.)
• Explanation: Use отступление for benign digressions; the error often stems from similar roots, so pay attention to context to avoid unintended implications.

Another error is failing to inflect properly, such as using the nominative form in all cases, e.g., saying "о отступление" instead of "об отступлении" in prepositional case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature, such as in the works of Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, digressions (дигрессия) are a common device to explore philosophical themes or character depths, reflecting Russia's rich tradition of introspective and expansive storytelling. This usage highlights the cultural value placed on depth and reflection in narrative, which may differ from more concise Anglo-American styles.

Related Concepts:

• отклонение
• ассоциация
• эпизод