Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'disobey'

English Word: disobey

Key Russian Translations:

• не повиноваться /nʲɪ pɐvʲɪˈnovət͡sə/ - [Formal, often used in official or legal contexts]
• ослушаться /ɐslʊˈʂat͡sə/ - [Informal, common in everyday or familial settings]

Frequency: Medium (This verb appears regularly in literature, news, and conversations but is not as ubiquitous as basic verbs like "to go" or "to eat".)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Requires understanding of verb conjugation and context; suitable for learners beyond beginner level, though nuances may vary by translation.

Pronunciation (Russian):

не повиноваться: /nʲɪ pɐvʲɪˈnovət͡sə/ (Note the soft 'н' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalization; stress on the third syllable.)

ослушаться: /ɐslʊˈʂat͡sə/ (Emphasize the rolled 'р' and the retroflex 'ш'; a common variant in spoken Russian is /ɐslʊˈʂat͡sə/ with slight regional differences.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To fail to obey rules, orders, or authority figures.

Translation(s) & Context:

• не повиноваться - Typically used in formal contexts, such as military commands or legal discussions, where deliberate defiance is implied.
• ослушаться - More informal, often applied to personal relationships, like a child disobeying a parent, emphasizing emotional or immediate rebellion.

Usage Examples:

• Дети часто не повинуются родителям, когда те устанавливают строгие правила.

  Children often disobey their parents when they set strict rules.

• Солдат ослушался приказа командира и понёс за это ответственность.

  The soldier disobeyed the commander's order and faced consequences for it.

• В школьном классе ученики могут не повиноваться учителю, если урок кажется скучным.

  In the classroom, students might disobey the teacher if the lesson seems boring.

• Она ослушалась совета друзей и поехала в путешествие одна.

  She disobeyed her friends' advice and went on the trip alone.

• Граждане не повинуются несправедливым законам, что приводит к протестам.

  Citizens disobey unjust laws, which leads to protests.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "не повиноваться" and "ослушаться" are imperfective verbs in Russian, which means they express ongoing or repeated actions. Russian verbs undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. Below is a table outlining key inflections for these verbs in the present tense (as they are commonly used).

Note: These verbs are irregular in some aspects due to their roots. For past tense, "не повиновался" (masc.) or "ослушался" (masc.) is used, with gender and number agreement. They do not change in infinitive form but require aspectual pairs for perfective actions (e.g., "ослушаться" pairs with "ослушать" for completion).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • нарушать (to violate; more general, often for rules or laws, with a subtle connotation of breaking rather than defying)
  • не слушаться (to not listen; informal, emphasizing refusal to heed advice)
• Antonyms:
  • повиноваться (to obey; direct opposite, formal)
  • слушаться (to listen/obey; informal, in personal contexts)

Related Phrases:

• не слушаться родителей - (Not to obey one's parents; often used in discussions about family dynamics or child-rearing.)
• ослушаться закона - (To disobey the law; common in legal or social contexts, implying potential consequences.)
• не повиновение приказу - (Disobedience to an order; a phrase frequently seen in military or authoritative settings.)

Usage Notes:

Choose "не повиноваться" for formal or institutional contexts where "disobey" involves structured authority, such as in laws or commands, as it aligns closely with English's precise connotation. "Ослушаться" is better for informal, emotional scenarios, like familial disputes, and carries a sense of immediate rebellion. Be mindful of Russian's aspect system: use imperfective forms for ongoing disobedience. In negative sentences, Russian often places "не" before the verb, which directly mirrors English structure. When selecting between translations, consider the audience—formal writing prefers "не повиноваться," while spoken language leans toward "ослушаться."

Common Errors:

• Mistake 1: Confusing the verbs with their antonyms, e.g., using "повиноваться" instead of "не повиноваться." Correct usage: Instead of saying "Я повиновался" (I obeyed), say "Я не повиновался" for "I disobeyed." This error stems from overgeneralizing positive forms.
• Mistake 2: Incorrect conjugation, such as saying "не повинуешься" for plural subjects. Correct: Use "не повинуются" for "they disobey." English speakers often forget Russian verb agreement with subject number and person.
• Mistake 3: Overusing "ослушаться" in formal contexts, which can sound too casual. Correct: In a legal document, opt for "не повиноваться" rather than "ослушаться" to maintain appropriateness.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts of obedience and disobedience are deeply tied to historical contexts like the Soviet era, where defiance (e.g., "ослушаться") could lead to severe repercussions. Today, it reflects values of collectivism versus individualism, with phrases like "не повиноваться" often appearing in discussions of authority and personal freedom, highlighting Russia's emphasis on social harmony and respect for hierarchy.

Related Concepts:

• повиновение (obedience)
• нарушение (violation)
• бунт (rebellion)