Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ethics'

English Word: ethics

Key Russian Translations:

• этика [ˈɛtʲɪkə] - [Formal, Academic]

Frequency: Medium (Common in philosophical, educational, and professional discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and basic Russian grammar, as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

этика: [ˈɛtʲɪkə]

Note on этика: The stress falls on the first syllable. The 'тʲ' represents a palatalized 't' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 't' in "tune" but softer.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The branch of philosophy dealing with morals, values, and principles.

Translation(s) & Context:

• этика - Used in formal, academic, or professional contexts to refer to moral philosophy or ethical standards.

Usage Examples:

• В университете изучают этику как фундаментальную дисциплину.

  In university, they study ethics as a fundamental discipline.

• Этика бизнеса требует честности и прозрачности в решениях.

  Business ethics requires honesty and transparency in decisions.

• Современная этика часто обсуждает вопросы биоэтики и искусственного интеллекта.

  Modern ethics often discusses issues of bioethics and artificial intelligence.

• В этике важно балансировать между индивидуальными правами и общественным благом.

  In ethics, it's important to balance between individual rights and the public good.

• Этика медицинских работников регулируется строгими правилами.

  The ethics of medical professionals is governed by strict rules.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Этика" is a feminine noun in the first declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: мораль (morality, more focused on personal conduct), нравственность (morality, emphasizing ethical norms)
• Antonyms: аморализм (amoralism, lack of moral principles) - Often used in philosophical debates to contrast with structured ethical systems.

Related Phrases:

• профессиональная этика - Professional ethics; Refers to ethical standards in a specific profession, such as medicine or law.
• медицинская этика - Medical ethics; Deals with moral issues in healthcare.
• этика бизнеса - Business ethics; Involves principles guiding corporate behavior.

Usage Notes:

"Этика" directly corresponds to the English "ethics" in its philosophical sense but is less commonly used in casual conversation. It is typically formal and academic, so English speakers should reserve it for professional or educational contexts. When choosing between synonyms like "мораль" or "нравственность," opt for "этика" when discussing systematic principles rather than personal morality. Grammatically, as a feminine noun, it requires agreement in gender, number, and case with adjectives and verbs (e.g., "этика важна" - ethics is important).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "этика" interchangeably with "мораль" without considering context. For example, an English learner might say "Я изучаю мораль" when meaning "I study ethics," which could imply personal morality rather than the field of study.

  Correct: "Я изучаю этику." Explanation: "Этика" specifically denotes the philosophical discipline, while "мораль" is broader and more everyday.

• Error: Incorrect declension, such as using the nominative form in all cases (e.g., "о этика" instead of "об этике").

  Correct: "Об этике" (about ethics in prepositional case). Explanation: Russian requires proper case endings; practice declension tables to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "этика" often ties into historical philosophical traditions influenced by figures like Leo Tolstoy and modern thinkers. It reflects a deep emphasis on collective morality in Russian society, where ethical discussions frequently intersect with social and political issues, such as in literature and media.

Related Concepts:

• мораль
• нравственность
• философия