Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dossier'

English Word: dossier

Key Russian Translations:

• досье /ˈdosʲjɛ/ - [Neutral, Formal; Often used in professional or official contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal writing, legal, or investigative contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with borrowed words and neutral vocabulary, as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

досье: /ˈdosʲjɛ/

Note on досье: The stress is on the first syllable. The 'й' sound is a soft 'y' as in 'yes,' which can be tricky for English speakers; pronounce it with a slight palatalization. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'е' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A collection of documents about a person, event, or subject.

Translation(s) & Context:

• досье - Used in formal contexts, such as legal investigations, business records, or intelligence reports; implies a compiled set of files.

Usage Examples:

• В полиции есть полное досье на подозреваемого.

  In the police, there is a complete dossier on the suspect.

• Журналист запросил досье по этому делу из архива.

  The journalist requested the dossier on this case from the archive.

• Компания хранит досье сотрудников в цифровом формате.

  The company keeps employee dossiers in digital format.

• В историческом музее можно найти досье знаменитых деятелей.

  In the historical museum, you can find dossiers on famous figures.

• Шпионское досье раскрыло тайны холодной войны.

  The spy dossier revealed secrets of the Cold War.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"досье" is a neuter noun borrowed from French, and it typically does not inflect in modern Russian. It remains unchanged in most cases, which is common for foreign loanwords. However, it can take standard endings in compound phrases or when used in specific grammatical contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • дело (delo) - More general, meaning 'case' or 'file'; often used interchangeably but less formal.
  • файл (fail) - Refers to a digital file; implies electronic storage.
  • акта (akta) - Archaic or bureaucratic term for official records; subtle difference in historical contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • Н/Д (No direct antonyms, as "досье" is a specific type of collection; conceptually, something like "пустота" (pustota) meaning 'void' could contrast, but it's not standard.)

Related Phrases:

• Личное досье - Personal dossier; Refers to an individual's file, often used in HR or security contexts.
• Криминальное досье - Criminal dossier; A record of criminal activities, common in law enforcement.
• Архивное досье - Archival dossier; Implies historical or stored documents in archives.
• Собрать досье - To compile a dossier; Used when gathering information for investigation.

Usage Notes:

"Досье" directly corresponds to the English "dossier" as a borrowed term, making it a precise match for formal English contexts. It is typically used in neutral or formal language, avoiding informal speech. When choosing between synonyms like "дело," opt for "досье" in professional settings for specificity. Grammatically, it remains invariant, so no adjustments are needed for gender, number, or case in most sentences. Be mindful of context: in Russian, it often implies sensitivity or confidentiality, similar to English usage.

Common Errors:

• English learners often mistakenly inflect "досье" as if it were a regular Russian noun, e.g., using "досьеа" (incorrect genitive). Correct usage: "досье подозреваемого" (not "досьеа"). This error stems from over-applying Russian grammar rules to loanwords.

• Confusing it with "дело," leading to overuse of "дело" in formal contexts. For example, incorrect: "Я имею дело" (meaning 'case' ambiguously); Correct: "Я имею досье" for a specific file collection. Explanation: "Дело" is broader and can mean 'affair' or 'business,' so specify based on context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "досье" often carries connotations from Soviet-era bureaucracy, where personal files (e.g., in the KGB) were meticulously maintained. This reflects a historical emphasis on documentation and surveillance, which can add a layer of intrigue or caution in modern usage, especially in media or literature depicting espionage.

Related Concepts:

• архив (arkhiv) - Archive
• документ (dokument) - Document
• расследование (rasledovanie) - Investigation
• биография (biografiya) - Biography