Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'duty'

English Word: duty

Key Russian Translations:

• долг [dolɡ] - [Formal; often used in moral or personal contexts]
• обязанность [ɐbʲɪˈzanːəsʲtʲ] - [Formal; typically in professional or legal settings]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday conversations, literature, and official documents, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual nuances, suitable for learners with basic Russian grammar knowledge)

Pronunciation (Russian):

долг: [dolɡ] (The 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, similar to the 'g' in 'go', but ensure soft pronunciation in rapid speech.)

Note on долг: Be cautious with the final 'г', which can soften in connected speech; practice with native speakers for fluidity.

обязанность: [ɐbʲɪˈzanːəsʲtʲ] (Stress on the third syllable; the 'з' is a voiced alveolar fricative.)

Note on обязанность: This word has a complex consonant cluster; learners often mispronounce the 'бʲ' as a simple 'b'—aim for a palatalized sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A moral or legal obligation

Translation(s) & Context:

• долг - Used in personal, ethical, or familial contexts, such as fulfilling a promise.
• обязанность - Applied in formal or professional scenarios, like workplace responsibilities.

Usage Examples:

• Я чувствую долг перед семьёй. (Ya chuvstvuyu dolg pered sem'yoy.)

  I feel a duty to my family. (This example shows 'долг' in a moral, familial context.)

• Его обязанность — выполнять работу вовремя. (Yego obyazannost' — vypolnyat' rabotu vovremya.)

  His duty is to complete the work on time. (Illustrates 'обязанность' in a professional setting with a direct obligation.)

• В армии долг превыше всего. (V armii dolg prevyshe vsego.)

  In the army, duty comes above all. (Demonstrates 'долг' in a military or patriotic context, highlighting its abstract use.)

• Каждый гражданин имеет гражданскую обязанность. (Kazhdyy grazhdanin imeet grazhdanskuyu obyazannost'.)

  Every citizen has a civic duty. (Shows 'обязанность' in a legal or societal framework.)

• Долг чести — не предавать друзей. (Dolg chesti — ne predavat' druzey.)

  A duty of honor is not to betray friends. (This example combines 'долг' with cultural connotations for emphasis on integrity.)

An assigned task or responsibility

Translation(s) & Context:

• обязанность - Common in work or daily routine contexts, emphasizing routine tasks.
• долг - Less common here, but used for more profound or obligatory tasks.

Usage Examples:

• Её ежедневная обязанность — убирать дом. (Yeyo ezhednevная obyazannost' — ubirat' dom.)

  Her daily duty is to clean the house. (Focuses on routine obligations with 'обязанность'.)

• Это долг солдата — защищать родину. (Eto dolg soldata — zashchishchat' rodinu.)

  It is a soldier's duty to defend the homeland. (Uses 'долг' to convey a deeper, patriotic sense of responsibility.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'долг' and 'обязанность' are nouns. 'Долг' is a masculine noun with regular declensions, while 'обязанность' is a feminine noun following standard patterns. Below is a table for their inflections:

Note: These are regular inflections; no irregularities, but pay attention to stress shifts in spoken language.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ответственность [ɐtʲvetʂtʲstvʲɪˈnostʲ] (more about accountability; often interchangeable with 'обязанность' in professional contexts)
  • функция [ˈfunktsɨjə] (focuses on a specific role or function, less emotional than 'долг')
• Antonyms:
  • свобода [ˈsvabədə] (freedom; implies the absence of obligation)
  • бездействие [bʲɪzˈdʲejstvʲɪjə] (inaction; opposite of fulfilling duty)

Related Phrases:

• выполнять долг [vɨˈpolnʲatʲ dolg] - To fulfill one's duty; often used in ethical or professional contexts.
• чувство долга [ˈt͡ɕuvstvə dolgə] - Sense of duty; refers to an internal moral compass.
• гражданский долг [ɡrɐʐˈdanskʲɪj dolg] - Civic duty; related to societal responsibilities, such as voting.

Usage Notes:

'Долг' is more abstract and emotional, often tied to personal honor, while 'обязанность' is practical and task-oriented. Choose 'долг' for contexts involving morality or tradition, and 'обязанность' for formal agreements. In Russian, these words frequently appear in genitive constructions, e.g., 'чувство долга', and are gender-neutral in usage but follow noun declensions. Be mindful of context to avoid overgeneralization; for instance, in legal documents, 'обязанность' is preferred for precision.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'долг' with 'долг' as in financial debt: Learners might misuse 'долг' for monetary obligations, but in the sense of 'duty', it's distinct. Incorrect: "Мой долг — это деньги" (meaning debt). Correct: "Мой долг — помочь" (My duty is to help). Explanation: 'Долг' for duty emphasizes moral weight, not finance.

• Overusing 'обязанность' in informal speech: Non-native speakers often insert it where 'долг' fits better, e.g., saying "Это моя обязанность" in a casual family discussion. Correct alternative: "Это мой долг". Explanation: 'Обязанность' sounds too formal for everyday talks.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'долг' often carries a strong connotation of patriotism and familial loyalty, rooted in historical contexts like Soviet-era emphasis on collective duty. For example, it echoes themes in literature by authors like Tolstoy, where personal duty to society or family overrides individual desires, reflecting a collectivist ethos.

Related Concepts:

• честь [t͡ɕesʲtʲ] (honor)
• ответственность [ɐtʲvetʂtʲstvʲɪˈnostʲ] (responsibility)
• служба [ˈsluʐbə] (service, often in military or public contexts)