Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'evidence'

English Word: evidence

Key Russian Translations:

• доказательство [də.kə.zə.'tɛl.stvə] - [Formal, Singular, Used in legal or scientific contexts]
• улика [u.'lʲi.kə] - [Informal, Plural possible, Used in investigative or crime-related contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal writing, legal documents, and everyday discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual usage. For "доказательство", it's B2; for "улика", it's also B2 due to similar grammatical rules)

Pronunciation (Russian):

доказательство: [də.kə.zə.'tɛl.stvə]

Note on доказательство: The stress is on the fourth syllable ('tɛl). Be cautious with the soft 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in fast speech may soften vowels.

улика: [u.'lʲi.kə]

Note on улика: The 'лʲ' is a palatalized 'l', pronounced with the tongue touching the alveolar ridge. In plural forms, the ending changes, affecting pronunciation slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Proof or facts that help to prove something (e.g., in legal, scientific, or everyday contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• доказательство - Used in formal settings like courtrooms or research; implies conclusive evidence.
• улика - Applied in informal or detective scenarios; suggests indirect or circumstantial evidence.

Usage Examples:

• В суде они представили убедительное доказательство вины обвиняемого.

  In court, they presented convincing evidence of the accused's guilt.

• Это письмо может послужить уликой в расследовании преступления.

  This letter could serve as evidence in the crime investigation.

• Учёные собрали доказательства, подтверждающие теорию эволюции.

  Scientists gathered evidence supporting the theory of evolution.

• В повседневной жизни улики могут быть простыми, как отпечатки пальцев на стекле.

  In everyday life, evidence can be as simple as fingerprints on glass.

• Без достаточного доказательства невозможно выиграть дело в суде.

  Without sufficient evidence, it's impossible to win a case in court.

Meaning 2: Testimonial or witness-based proof (e.g., in historical or anecdotal contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• свидетельство - Sometimes interchangeable with доказательство in broader contexts, but more focused on verbal or documentary testimony.

Usage Examples:

• Его свидетельство послужило дополнительным доказательством в исторических записях.

  His testimony served as additional evidence in historical records.

• В музее выставлены артефакты как свидетельства древней цивилизации.

  In the museum, artifacts are displayed as evidence of an ancient civilization.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "доказательство" and "улика" are nouns. "Доказательство" is a neuter noun of the second declension, which follows regular patterns. "Улика" is a feminine noun of the first declension. Below is a table outlining their key inflections:

Note: These words do not have irregular inflections, making them straightforward for learners at B2 level. Always adjust based on context, as Russian nouns change with prepositions and cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • подтверждение (podtverzhdenie) - Similar to evidence but emphasizes confirmation; used in formal contexts.
  • свидетельство (svidetel'stvo) - Focuses on testimony; often interchangeable in legal settings.
• Antonyms:
  • опровержение (oprovverzhenie) - Directly opposes evidence by meaning refutation.
  • сомнение (somnenie) - Implies doubt, contrasting with conclusive evidence.

Related Phrases:

• представить доказательство - To present evidence; used in legal or argumentative contexts.
• собрать улики - To gather clues; common in detective stories or investigations.
• без достаточного доказательства - Without sufficient evidence; often in discussions about validity.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "доказательство" is the most direct equivalent to "evidence" in formal English contexts, such as law or science, and it must agree in case with surrounding words (e.g., genitive for possession). "Улика" is more casual and implies something tangible or indirect. English speakers should note that Russian requires precise case usage; for example, use dative for indirect objects. When choosing between translations, opt for "доказательство" in professional settings and "улика" for narrative or informal speech to match nuance.

• Always consider the context: Legal documents favor "доказательство", while stories use "улика".
• Grammar tip: These nouns decline, so practice with sentences to master case endings.

Common Errors:

• Confusing case endings: English learners often use nominative "доказательство" in all contexts. Error: "Я имею доказательство" (incorrect for possession). Correct: "Я имею доказательства" (genitive). Explanation: Russian requires genitive for possession, so always check the sentence structure.
• Overusing "улика" in formal contexts: Error: Using "улика" in a court document instead of "доказательство". Correct: Stick to "доказательство" for official proofs. Explanation: "Улика" sounds informal and may undermine seriousness.
• Mispronouncing stressed syllables: Error: Pronouncing "доказательство" with stress on the wrong syllable. Correct: Emphasize the fourth syllable. Explanation: Incorrect stress can lead to misunderstandings in spoken Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "evidence" like "доказательство" holds significant weight in legal and historical contexts, influenced by the Soviet-era emphasis on factual documentation. For instance, in Russian literature and films, "улика" often appears in detective stories, reflecting a cultural fascination with mystery and justice, as seen in works by authors like Agatha Christie translated into Russian.

Related Concepts:

• факт (fact)
• свидеток (witness)
• расследование (investigation)