Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'examination'

English Word: examination

Key Russian Translations:

• экзамен [ɛkˈza.mʲɪn] - [Formal, Singular, Used in educational or professional contexts]
• испытание [ɪs.pɨˈta.nʲɪ.jə] - [Formal, Can imply testing or trial, Often used metaphorically]

Frequency: Medium (Common in educational and professional discussions, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate for learners, as it involves basic noun inflections; for "испытание", it may reach B2 due to more complex usages)

Pronunciation (Russian):

экзамен: [ɛkˈza.mʲɪn]

Note on экзамен: The stress is on the second syllable; the 'э' sound is like the 'e' in "bed", and the palatalized 'мʲ' can be tricky for English speakers—practice with native audio for accuracy.

испытание: [ɪs.pɨˈta.nʲɪ.jə]

Note on испытание: This word has a rolling rhythm; the 'ы' sound is a back vowel not present in English, similar to a neutral 'i'. Focus on the stress on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A formal test of knowledge or skills (e.g., in education)

Translation(s) & Context:

• экзамен - Used in academic settings, such as university exams; formal and straightforward context.
• испытание - Used more broadly for trials or tests, including metaphorical senses like life challenges; formal but versatile.

Usage Examples:

• Я готовлюсь к экзамену по математике. (Ya gotovlyus' k ekzamenu po matematike.)

  I am preparing for the mathematics examination. (This shows the word in a simple present tense context, emphasizing preparation.)

• Студенты нервничают перед экзаменом. (Studenty nervnichayut pered ekzamenu.)

  Students are nervous before the examination. (Illustrates the word in a prepositional phrase, common in descriptive sentences.)

• Это было настоящее испытание для нашей команды. (Eto bylo nastoyasheye ispytaniye dlya nashey komandy.)

  This was a real examination for our team. (Here, "испытание" is used metaphorically in a team or professional context.)

• Она сдала экзамен на отлично. (Ona sdala ekzamenu na otlichno.)

  She passed the examination with flying colors. (Demonstrates the word with verbs like "сдать" in result-oriented sentences.)

• В жизни каждый день – это испытание. (V zhizni kazhdyy den' – eto ispytaniye.)

  In life, every day is an examination. (Shows idiomatic usage, extending beyond literal tests.)

Secondary Meaning: A thorough inspection or medical check

Translation(s) & Context:

• экзамен - Less common; used in medical contexts like "медицинский экзамен".
• испытание - Not typically used; prefer "обследование" for medical exams.

Usage Examples:

• Врач провел медицинский экзамен пациента. (Vrach provel meditsinskiy ekzamenu patsienta.)

  The doctor conducted a medical examination of the patient. (Applies the word in a healthcare scenario.)

• Обследование показало проблемы со зрением. (Obslledovaniye pokazalo problemy so zreniyem.) (Note: Here, "экзамен" is not ideal; "обследование" is more accurate.)

  The examination revealed vision problems. (Highlights contextual choice over "экзамен".)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "экзамен" (a masculine noun), it follows the standard second-declension pattern with regular inflections. Below is a table of its nominative forms:

For "испытание" (a neuter noun), it has regular inflections similar to other neuter nouns:

Both words are regular and do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: тест [test], проверка [check] - "Тест" is more informal for quick assessments; "проверка" implies verification.
• Антонимы: отдых [rest] - Implies the opposite of effort or testing.

Related Phrases:

• Сдать экзамен (Sdatt' ekzamenu) - To pass an examination; used in academic success contexts.
• Подготовиться к экзамену (Podgotovit'sya k ekzamenu) - To prepare for an examination; common in study routines.
• Это было испытание на прочность (Eto bylo ispytaniye na prochnost') - This was a test of endurance; metaphorical for challenges.

Usage Notes:

"Экзамен" directly corresponds to "examination" in formal educational contexts and is the most precise translation. Use it in singular for specific instances and plural for general references. "Испытание" is broader and can overlap with English "trial" or "test," so choose based on context—avoid it for pure academic exams. In Russian, always consider case agreement; for example, after prepositions like "к" (to), use dative form. English learners should note that Russian exams often carry cultural weight, emphasizing rote learning.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "экзамен" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я иду на экзамен" instead of "Я иду на экзамену" (incorrect; should be dative: "Я иду на экзамен" is actually correct, but learners often mix with genitive).
  Correct: "Я готовлюсь к экзамену" (dative after "к").
  Explanation: Russian requires precise case endings; confusing nominative with dative can alter meaning.
• Error: Overusing "испытание" for all types of exams, e.g., translating "medical examination" as "испытание" instead of "обследование".
  Correct: Use "обследование" for medical contexts.
  Explanation: This leads to semantic mismatches; context dictates the right word to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "экзамен" often symbolizes high-stakes academic pressure, rooted in the Soviet education system where exams like the "ЕГЭ" (Unified State Exam) determine university entry. This reflects a broader emphasis on discipline and knowledge retention, sometimes leading to intense preparation rituals, which can differ from more relaxed Western approaches.

Related Concepts:

• тест
• проверка
• обучение