Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'error'

English Word: error

Key Russian Translations:

• ошибка [ɐˈʂɨbkə] - [Formal, Informal; Noun; Used in everyday contexts for mistakes or inaccuracies]
• погрешность [pɐˈɡrʲɛʂnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal; Noun; Used in technical or scientific contexts, such as measurements]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are commonly encountered in daily conversation, literature, and technical fields, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: A2 (For 'ошибка': Beginner level, as it follows standard noun patterns; For 'погрешность': B1 Intermediate, due to its more specialized usage and less common declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ошибка: [ɐˈʂɨbkə]

Note on ошибка: The 'ш' sound is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like 'sh' in 'shoe' but softer. Variations in stress can occur in rapid speech.

погрешность: [pɐˈɡrʲɛʂnəsʲtʲ]

Note on погрешность: Pay attention to the palatalized 'г' (as in 'грʲ'), which softens the sound; this is a common feature in Russian nouns.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A mistake or inaccuracy in action, thought, or calculation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ошибка - Used in general, everyday situations for personal or simple errors, such as in conversations or writing.
• погрешность - Applied in formal or technical contexts, like science, engineering, or data analysis, to denote a measurable inaccuracy.

Usage Examples:

• Я допустил ошибку в расчётах. (Ya dopustil oshibku v raschotakh.)

  I made an error in the calculations. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting personal responsibility.)

• Эта погрешность может повлиять на результаты эксперимента. (Eta pogreshnost' mozhet povliyat' na rezultaty eksperimenta.)

  This error could affect the experiment's results. (Demonstrates usage in a scientific context, with the word in a subordinate clause.)

• Из-за ошибки в программе сайт не загружается. (Iz-za oshibki v programme sait ne zagruzaetsya.)

  Due to an error in the program, the website isn't loading. (Illustrates the word in a causal structure, common in tech-related discussions.)

• Погрешность в измерениях была минимальной. (Pogreshnost' v izmereniyakh byla minimal'noy.)

  The error in the measurements was minimal. (Shows the word in a descriptive sentence, emphasizing quantitative aspects.)

• Он признал свою ошибку и извинился. (On priznal svoyu oshibku i izvinilsya.)

  He admitted his error and apologized. (This example places the word in a narrative context, involving emotional or interpersonal scenarios.)

A systematic fault or deviation in systems, such as in computing.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ошибка - Informal tech contexts, like software bugs.
• погрешность - More formal, in engineering or data processing.

Usage Examples:

• Система выдала ошибку из-за нехватки памяти. (Sistema vydala oshibku iz-za nekhvatki pamyati.)

  The system produced an error due to insufficient memory. (Highlights technical usage in a cause-effect sentence.)

• Погрешность в алгоритме привела к сбоям. (Pogreshnost' v algoritme privela k sboyam.)

  The error in the algorithm led to failures. (Demonstrates the word in a professional setting, with implications for outcomes.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'ошибка' and 'погрешность' are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard first-declension patterns. 'Ошибка' is a regular noun with predictable changes, while 'погрешность' has slight irregularities in certain cases.

Note: These nouns do not change for gender but vary by number and case as shown. 'Ошибка' is more straightforward, while 'погрешность' may have subtle pronunciation shifts in inflected forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • погрешность (similar to 'error' in technical contexts, but implies a smaller, measurable deviation)
  • неточность (imprecision, often used interchangeably in informal settings but with a focus on inaccuracy rather than fault)
  • брак (defect, typically for manufactured items, with a connotation of something flawed from the start)
• Antonyms:
  • правильность (correctness, emphasizing accuracy and precision)
  • точность (accuracy, often in scientific or measurement contexts)

Related Phrases:

• Допустить ошибку - To make a mistake (Common in confessions or admissions of fault.)
• Из-за ошибки - Due to an error (Used to explain causes in narratives or reports.)
• Погрешность измерения - Measurement error (A technical phrase in science and engineering.)
• Системная ошибка - System error (Refers to faults in software or processes.)

Usage Notes:

'Ошибка' directly corresponds to the general English concept of an 'error' and is versatile across contexts, but it's more commonly used for human mistakes rather than technical ones. In contrast, 'погрешность' is preferred for precise, quantifiable errors, similar to 'margin of error' in English. Be mindful of context: in formal writing or professional settings, opt for 'погрешность' to convey a sense of objectivity. Grammatically, both nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying adjectives or verbs. When choosing between translations, consider the audience—'ошибка' for everyday learners, 'погрешность' for advanced or technical users.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'ошибка' with 'погрешка' (a less common variant): English learners might misuse 'погрешка' thinking it's synonymous, but it's outdated and rare. Correct usage: Stick to 'ошибка' for standard errors. Example of error: "Я имею погрешку" (incorrect) vs. "Я имею ошибку" (correct), as 'погрешка' is not standard modern Russian.

• Improper declension: Beginners often forget case changes, e.g., saying "из-за ошибка" instead of "из-за ошибки". This makes the sentence grammatically incorrect. Explanation: Always decline the noun based on its role; in this case, genitive for "because of".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, admitting an 'ошибка' (error) is often seen as a sign of humility and maturity, influenced by historical emphasis on collective responsibility in Soviet-era education. However, in technical fields like engineering, 'погрешность' reflects a pragmatic approach to imperfection, aligning with Russia's strong tradition in science and mathematics.

Related Concepts:

• исправление (correction)
• ошибочный (erroneous)
• неточность (imprecision)