Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Disbelief'

English Word: disbelief

Key Russian Translations:

• недоверие [nʲɪdəvʲɪˈrʲɪjə] - [Neutral, Common]
• неверие [nʲɪvʲɪˈrʲɪjə] - [Neutral, Slightly Formal]
• сомнение [sɐmˈnʲenʲɪjə] - [Neutral, Often Contextual]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for all translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

недоверие: [nʲɪdəvʲɪˈrʲɪjə]

Note on недоверие: Stress falls on the third syllable. The 'е' is pronounced as a soft 'ye' sound.

неверие: [nʲɪvʲɪˈrʲɪjə]

Note on неверие: Similar to недоверие, stress on the third syllable. Pay attention to the soft 'н' sound.

сомнение: [sɐmˈnʲenʲɪjə]

Note on сомнение: Stress on the second syllable. The 'о' is reduced to a schwa sound in unstressed positions.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Lack of belief or trust (general skepticism)

Translation(s) & Context:

• недоверие - Used in contexts of distrust or skepticism towards someone or something.
• сомнение - Often implies doubt rather than outright disbelief, used in questioning contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Его слова вызвали у меня недоверие.

  His words caused me to feel disbelief (distrust).

• У меня есть сомнения в его искренности.

  I have doubts (disbelief) about his sincerity.

2. Inability to believe something (shock or surprise)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неверие - Often used for disbelief in a surprising or shocking context, sometimes with a philosophical tone.

Usage Examples:

• Я смотрел на это с неверием.

  I looked at it with disbelief.

• Её неверие в чудеса было очевидным.

  Her disbelief in miracles was obvious.

• Он покачал головой в неверии, услышав новости.

  He shook his head in disbelief upon hearing the news.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

недоверие (neuter noun): Follows the standard neuter noun declension in Russian.

Case	Singular
Nominative	недоверие
Genitive	недоверия
Dative	недоверию
Accusative	недоверие
Instrumental	недоверием
Prepositional	о недоверии

неверие (neuter noun): Similar declension pattern to недоверие.

сомнение (neuter noun): Follows a slightly different pattern due to the stem ending in a soft sign.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for недоверие/неверие:

• скептицизм (skepticism)
• подозрительность (suspicion)

Note: скептицизм is more intellectual, while подозрительность implies suspicion of wrongdoing.

Antonyms:

• доверие (trust)
• вера (belief)

Related Phrases:

• вызывать недоверие - to inspire disbelief or distrust.
• взгляд с неверием - a look of disbelief.
• без тени сомнения - without a shadow of doubt (opposite context).

Usage Notes:

• While "недоверие" is often used for distrust in interpersonal or practical contexts, "неверие" can carry a more abstract or emotional tone, often tied to disbelief in ideas or events.
• "сомнение" is closer to "doubt" and may not always convey the full strength of "disbelief"; use it when the context implies questioning rather than rejection.
• Pay attention to the prepositions used with these nouns, as they vary by case and context (e.g., "недоверие к кому-то" = disbelief in someone).

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "недоверие" with "неверие". English speakers might use them interchangeably, but "недоверие" implies distrust, while "неверие" is more about incredulity.
  Incorrect: Я испытываю неверие к этому продавцу.
  Correct: Я испытываю недоверие к этому продавцу. (I feel distrust towards this seller.)
• Error: Misusing cases with prepositions. For example, using the wrong case after "к" with "недоверие".
  Incorrect: Недоверие к нему (nominative).
  Correct: Недоверие к нему (dative).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressing "недоверие" (distrust) openly can be seen as a strong statement, often implying a breach of trust. Russians may use indirect language or gestures to convey disbelief rather than stating it outright, especially in formal or polite settings.

Related Concepts:

• скептицизм (skepticism)
• подозрение (suspicion)
• удивление (amazement, often paired with disbelief)