Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'disservice'

English Word: disservice

Key Russian Translations:

• вред [/vret/] - [Formal, used in general contexts to denote harm or disservice]
• недобросовестность [/nʲɪdəbrəsɐˈvʲestnəsʲtʲ/] - [Formal, specifically implying dishonesty or unfaithful service]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in formal writing or discussions about ethics and services)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun inflections and formal vocabulary, but not advanced concepts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вред: /vret/ (The 'в' is pronounced as a voiced labiodental fricative, similar to 'v' in 'victory'. Stress is on the first syllable.)

недобросовестность: /nʲɪdəbrəsɐˈvʲestnəsʲtʲ/ (Note on недобросовестность: This word has a complex structure with palatalized consonants; the stress is on the fourth syllable, which can be challenging for beginners. Pay attention to the soft 'н' sound.)

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. An action or service that causes harm, disadvantage, or unfair treatment to someone or something.

Translation(s) & Context:

• вред - Used in contexts involving unintentional or intentional harm, such as in legal or everyday discussions (e.g., in customer service complaints).
• недобросовестность - Applied in more formal or professional settings, like business ethics, where dishonesty is implied (e.g., in contracts or services).

Usage Examples:

• Этот совет оказал мне вред, потому что он помешал моему прогрессу.

  This advice did me a disservice because it hindered my progress.

• Недобросовестность компании в выполнении контракта привела к большим убыткам.

  The company's disservice in fulfilling the contract led to significant losses.

• Её действия были чистым вредом для команды, так как они нарушили гармонию.

  Her actions were a pure disservice to the team, as they disrupted harmony.

• В этом случае недобросовестность продавца проявилась в скрытии дефектов товара.

  In this case, the seller's disservice was evident in hiding the product's defects.

• Предоставление ложной информации — это классический пример вреда в межличностных отношениях.

  Providing false information is a classic example of a disservice in interpersonal relationships.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translations, "вред" (a masculine noun) and "недобросовестность" (a feminine abstract noun), follow standard Russian inflection patterns.

For "вред" (nominative singular):

For "недобросовестность" (feminine noun, no plural form as it's an abstract concept):

Note: "вред" has regular declension for masculine nouns, while "недобросовестность" is invariant in plural as it's typically uncountable.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вредность (implies inherent harmfulness, often in a more abstract sense)
  • ущерб (focuses on damage or loss, with a financial connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • польза (benefit, directly opposite in meaning)
  • выгода (advantage, especially in practical contexts)

Related Phrases:

• нанести вред (to cause harm; used in contexts of intentional disservice, e.g., in legal disputes)
• проявить недобросовестность (to show dishonesty; common in professional or ethical discussions)
• вред от действий (harm from actions; a phrase highlighting consequences of a disservice)

Usage Notes:

"Вред" is a straightforward translation for "disservice" in everyday contexts, often implying unintentional harm, while "недобросовестность" is more precise for situations involving ethical breaches. Use "вред" in informal or neutral settings, but opt for "недобросовестность" in formal writing. Be mindful of Russian case endings when integrating these words into sentences, as they must agree with the grammatical structure. For English speakers, remember that Russian vocabulary for negative actions like these often carries a stronger moral weight.

• When choosing between translations, consider the context: if the disservice involves deception, "недобросовестность" is ideal.
• In spoken Russian, these words are common in complaints or reviews, but avoid them in overly casual conversations to maintain politeness.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "вред" with "вредитель" (saboteur), mistakenly using it to mean a person rather than the act. For example:

• Incorrect: Он вред (meaning "He is a disservice," which is grammatically wrong and nonsensical).
• Correct: Он нанёс вред (He caused harm). Explanation: "Вред" is a noun, not a verb or adjective, so it needs proper contextual integration.
• Another error: Overusing "недобросовестность" in simple contexts, e.g., saying it for minor inconveniences when "вред" suffices. Correct approach: Reserve it for formal accusations.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "вред" or "недобросовестность" often tie into historical emphasis on collective responsibility and ethics, stemming from Soviet-era values. For instance, in modern Russia, these terms frequently appear in discussions about consumer rights or government services, reflecting a societal wariness of untrustworthy actions due to past experiences with bureaucracy.

Related Concepts:

• вредитель (saboteur)
• ущерб (damage)
• обман (deception)