Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'embezzle'

English Word: embezzle

Key Russian Translations:

• хищение [xɪˈʃt͡ɕenʲje] - [Formal, Legal context]
• растрата [rɐˈstratə] - [Formal, Financial context]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly used in legal, financial, and business discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of legal terminology and noun declensions in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

хищение: [xɪˈʃt͡ɕenʲje]

Note on хищение: The initial 'х' is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch'. Stress falls on the second syllable, which can be tricky for beginners.

растрата: [rɐˈstratə]

Note on растрата: The 'р' is a trilled 'r', and the stress is on the third syllable. Be mindful of the soft 'т' sound before the vowel.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: The act of stealing or misappropriating funds entrusted to one's care, often in a professional or official capacity.

Translation(s) & Context:

• хищение - Used in formal legal contexts to describe theft of funds, especially in business or government settings.
• растрата - Applied in financial contexts involving the squandering or misappropriation of resources, often implying negligence or intent.

Usage Examples:

• Он был обвинен в хищении корпоративных средств для личного обогащения.

  He was accused of embezzling corporate funds for personal enrichment.

• Растрата государственных денег привела к его увольнению и судебному разбиратству.

  The embezzlement of state funds led to his dismissal and legal proceedings.

• В отчете указано, что хищение произошло из-за слабого контроля за финансами.

  The report stated that the embezzlement occurred due to poor financial oversight.

• Она совершила растрату, переводя деньги на свой счет без разрешения.

  She committed embezzlement by transferring money to her account without permission.

• Хищение в банке было раскрыто после анонимного доноса.

  The embezzlement at the bank was uncovered after an anonymous tip.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "хищение" and "растрата" are neuter nouns in Russian and follow standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. They are invariable in plural forms for general concepts but change by case in singular.

Note: These nouns do not have a plural form in most contexts, as they refer to abstract acts. Irregularities are minimal, but always check for contextual usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: воровство (general theft), присвоение (misappropriation), кража (stealing)
• Note on присвоение: Often used interchangeably with хищение but implies more personal gain in official roles.
• Antonyms: честность (honesty), законность (legality)

Related Phrases:

• хищение средств - Embezzlement of funds (Refers to stealing money from an organization or trust).
• растрата бюджета - Squandering of the budget (Used in contexts of financial mismanagement in government or business).
• преступление хищения - Crime of embezzlement (A formal phrase in legal documents).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "хищение" and "растрата" both translate to "embezzle" but "хищение" is more precise for deliberate theft, while "растрата" can imply wasteful spending without intent. Use "хищение" in legal contexts and "растрата" in financial reports. Always consider the grammatical case based on sentence structure, as Russian nouns must agree with prepositions and verbs. For English speakers, note that Russian often pairs these words with verbs like "совершить" (to commit) to form complete phrases.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "хищение" in plural form, e.g., "хищениями" incorrectly in non-count contexts. Correct: Stick to singular as it's an abstract noun. Explanation: Russian abstract nouns like this don't pluralize; this mistake can make the sentence sound unnatural.
• Error: Confusing "растрата" with "расход" (expenditure), leading to phrases like "растрата на еду" meaning "embezzlement on food" instead of simple spending. Correct: Use "расход" for legitimate expenses. Explanation: "Растрата" implies illegality, so context is key to avoid miscommunication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and society, terms like "хищение" and "растрата" are often linked to historical issues of corruption in government and business, stemming from the Soviet era and persisting in modern Russia. These words carry a strong negative connotation, reflecting societal emphasis on accountability in public roles, and are frequently discussed in media related to anti-corruption campaigns.

Related Concepts:

• коррупция
• мошенничество
• финансовые преступления