Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'excuse'

English Word: excuse

Key Russian Translations:

• извинение [ɪzvʲɪˈnʲenʲje] - [Formal, Noun; Used in polite contexts for an apology or justification]
• извинить [ɪzvʲɪˈnʲitʲ] - [Informal/Neutral, Verb; Used when forgiving or excusing someone's action]
• оправдание [ɐprɐˈvdanʲje] - [Formal, Noun; Used in contexts involving justification or defense]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its forms are commonly encountered in everyday conversations, literature, and formal writing, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like greetings.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level can grasp basic usage, but mastering inflections and contextual nuances requires practice. For 'извинить' as a verb, it may be slightly easier at A2, while 'извинение' as a noun aligns with B1.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

извинение: [ɪzvʲɪˈnʲenʲje]

извинить: [ɪzvʲɪˈnʲitʲ]

оправдание: [ɐprɐˈvdanʲje]

Note on извинить: The stress falls on the second syllable ('nʲitʲ'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'н' sound; it softens to [nʲ] before vowels. Variations in regional accents may alter vowel length slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: As a noun, a reason or explanation to justify an action, often implying an apology.

Translation(s) & Context:

• извинение - Used in formal or polite situations, such as excusing lateness in professional settings.
• оправдание - Applied in contexts where self-defense or rationalization is needed, like in legal or argumentative scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Я опоздал на встречу, но у меня было хорошее извинение. (I was late for the meeting, but I had a good excuse.)

  Translation: I was late for the meeting, but I had a good excuse. (This example shows the noun in a everyday, explanatory context.)

• Его извинение звучало неубедительно. (His excuse sounded unconvincing.)

  Translation: His excuse sounded unconvincing. (Illustrates the noun in a skeptical or evaluative context.)

• В суде адвокат предоставил оправдание для клиента. (In court, the lawyer provided an excuse for the client.)

  Translation: In court, the lawyer provided an excuse for the client. (Demonstrates formal usage in a legal setting.)

• Извинение за опоздание было принято с улыбкой. (The excuse for being late was accepted with a smile.)

  Translation: The excuse for being late was accepted with a smile. (Shows interpersonal dynamics in casual interactions.)

Meaning 2: As a verb, to forgive or pardon someone for an action.

Translation(s) & Context:

• извинить - Common in informal conversations, such as excusing minor faults among friends or family.

Usage Examples:

• Пожалуйста, извините меня за мою ошибку. (Please excuse me for my mistake.)

  Translation: Please excuse me for my mistake. (This highlights polite, self-directed usage in social interactions.)

• Я не могу извинить такое поведение. (I cannot excuse such behavior.)

  Translation: I cannot excuse such behavior. (Example in a disapproving or authoritative context.)

• Родители извинили ребенка за шалость. (The parents excused the child for the mischief.)

  Translation: The parents excused the child for the mischief. (Shows familial or lenient usage.)

• Извините, я не хотел обидеть вас. (Excuse me, I didn't mean to offend you.)

  Translation: Excuse me, I didn't mean to offend you. (Demonstrates immediate apology in conversational settings.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'извинение' (a neuter noun), it follows standard Russian noun declension patterns. It is invariable in plural forms for general use but changes by case in singular. 'Извинить' is a verb with conjugations based on tense, aspect, and person.

Note: 'Оправдание' follows similar neuter noun patterns as 'извинение' and is generally invariable in plural contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • прощение (proshcheniye) - More focused on forgiveness, often interchangeable with извинить in emotional contexts.
  • повод (povod) - Used for a lighter excuse, with a nuance of pretext.
• Antonyms:
  • обвинение (obvineniye) - Accusation, directly opposite in legal or blame contexts.
  • наказание (nakazaniye) - Punishment, contrasting with forgiving or excusing.

Related Phrases:

• Извините, пожалуйста (Izvinite, pozhaluysta) - Meaning: Excuse me, please; Used as a polite interruption or apology in daily interactions.
• Принять извинение (Prinjat' izvinénie) - Meaning: To accept an excuse; Common in conflict resolution scenarios.
• Без оправдания (Bez opravdaniya) - Meaning: Without excuse; Implies no justification is possible, often in motivational contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Извинение' directly corresponds to 'excuse' as a noun in English, but it's more commonly used for apologies in Russian culture, which values politeness. 'Извинить' as a verb aligns with 'to excuse' but can imply forgiveness, so choose based on context—use in informal settings for friends, and formal ones for professionals. Be mindful of verb aspects; for completed actions, pair with perfective forms like 'извиниться'. Grammar note: Nouns like 'извинение' require case agreement, e.g., in prepositional phrases.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'извинение' with 'извинить': English learners often use the noun when a verb is needed, e.g., saying "Я извинение" instead of "Я извиняюсь". Correct: Use "извиняюсь" for "I excuse myself".
• Incorrect inflection: Forgetting case changes, like using "извинение" in genitive as "извинение" instead of "извинения". Explanation: This alters meaning; always check the sentence structure for proper declension.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, offering an 'извинение' is crucial for maintaining social harmony, often accompanied by gestures like a bow or handshake. Historically, in Soviet times, 'оправдание' was used in political contexts to justify actions, reflecting a cultural emphasis on collective responsibility over individual excuses.

Related Concepts:

• прощение (proshcheniye)
• обвинение (obvineniye)
• просьба (prosbá)