Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'discipline'

English Word: discipline

Key Russian Translations:

• дисциплина [dʲɪˈskʲiplʲɪnə] - [Formal, can be used in educational or military contexts]
• наказание [nɐkɐˈzanʲɪje] - [Informal, specifically for punitive aspects]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in educational, professional, and everyday discussions in Russian)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires basic understanding of noun declensions; for 'наказание', it may vary slightly to B2 due to more nuanced usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

дисциплина: [dʲɪˈskʲiplʲɪnə]

наказание: [nɐkɐˈzanʲɪje]

Note on дисциплина: The stress falls on the third syllable; be mindful of the soft 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to its palatalization.

Note on наказание: Pronounce the 'з' as a voiced 'z' sound; common regional variations in speed may affect vowel length.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Self-control, training, or orderly behavior

Translation(s) & Context:

• дисциплина - Used in formal settings like schools or workplaces to denote structure and self-regulation.
• наказание - Applied in contexts involving correction or penalty, such as parenting or law.

Usage Examples:

• В армии дисциплина очень важна для поддержания порядка.

  In the army, discipline is very important for maintaining order.

• Родители должны учить детей дисциплине с раннего возраста.

  Parents should teach children discipline from an early age.

• Без дисциплины невозможно добиться успеха в спорте.

  Without discipline, it's impossible to achieve success in sports.

• Наказание за опоздание может быть строгим в этой компании.

  Punishment for tardiness can be strict in this company.

2. A field of study or academic discipline

Translation(s) & Context:

• дисциплина - Common in academic contexts to refer to a subject or branch of knowledge.

Usage Examples:

• История — это важная дисциплина в школьной программе.

  History is an important discipline in the school curriculum.

• В университете я изучаю несколько дисциплин, включая математику.

  At university, I'm studying several disciplines, including mathematics.

• Дисциплина физики требует точных расчетов и экспериментов.

  The discipline of physics requires precise calculations and experiments.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'дисциплина' is a feminine noun (first declension) and follows standard Russian noun patterns with regular inflections based on case and number.

'наказание' is a neuter noun with regular inflections:

Both words do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • порядок (poryadok) - Emphasizes order and structure, often interchangeable in organizational contexts.
  • самоконтроль (samokontrol') - Focuses on self-restraint, more psychological than 'дисциплина'.
• Antonyms:
  • хаос (khaos) - Complete lack of order.
  • беспорядок (besporyadok) - Disorder or messiness.

Related Phrases:

• Военная дисциплина - Military discipline; refers to strict rules in armed forces.
• Соблюдение дисциплины - Adherence to discipline; used in educational or professional settings.
• Наказание за нарушение - Punishment for violation; common in legal contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Дисциплина' directly corresponds to the English 'discipline' in most contexts, but it's more commonly used for structured training or academic fields in Russian. Choose 'наказание' when emphasizing punishment to avoid confusion. Be aware of formal contexts where 'дисциплина' requires proper declension based on sentence structure. For English speakers, note that Russian often pairs these words with verbs like 'соблюдать' (to observe) for better flow.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'дисциплина' with 'дисциплинарный' (disciplinary) – Error: Using 'дисциплина' as an adjective. Correct: Use 'дисциплинарный контроль' instead of 'дисциплина контроль'. Explanation: 'Дисциплина' is a noun, so it needs proper modification.
• Overusing 'наказание' in non-punitive contexts – Error: Saying 'наказание в школе' for general school rules. Correct: Use 'дисциплина в школе'. Explanation: This avoids implying punishment where only structure is meant, which can sound overly harsh in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'дисциплина' holds significant value, especially in education and military traditions influenced by Soviet-era practices. It often reflects a collectivist approach, where personal discipline contributes to group harmony, contrasting with more individualistic interpretations in English-speaking cultures.

Related Concepts:

• обучение (obuchenie) - Training or education.
• самодисциплина (samodisciplina) - Self-discipline.
• контроль (kontrol') - Control or supervision.