Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'execution'

English Word: execution

Key Russian Translations:

• исполнение [isˈpɐlnʲɪje] - [Formal, used in legal, business, or general contexts]
• казнь [ˈkaznʲ] - [Formal, specifically relating to capital punishment or judicial execution]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in legal, business, and everyday discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of noun declensions and context-specific usage; for 'исполнение', it's B2 due to its abstract nature, while 'казнь' might be B1 for its more concrete meaning)

Pronunciation (Russian):

исполнение: [isˈpɐlnʲɪje]

Note on исполнение: The stress falls on the second syllable ('pɐlnʲ'). Pay attention to the palatalized 'н' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

казнь: [ˈkaznʲ]

Note on казнь: The stress is on the first syllable ('kaz'). The final 'ь' indicates palatalization, softening the preceding consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The act of carrying out a plan, task, order, or performance (e.g., in business, law, or arts).

Translation(s) & Context:

• исполнение - Used in formal contexts like legal documents, business plans, or artistic performances; implies completion or implementation.

Usage Examples:

• Исполнение контракта заняло больше времени, чем ожидалось.

  The execution of the contract took longer than expected.

• В театре мы увидели блестящее исполнение классической пьесы.

  In the theater, we saw a brilliant execution of the classical play.

• Эффективное исполнение обязанностей является ключем к успеху в бизнесе.

  Effective execution of duties is key to success in business.

• Без правильного исполнения плана проект может потерпеть неудачу.

  Without proper execution of the plan, the project may fail.

• Исполнение музыкального произведения требует точности и эмоциональности.

  Execution of a musical piece requires precision and emotion.

Meaning 2: The act of putting someone to death as a legal punishment.

Translation(s) & Context:

• казнь - Used in historical, legal, or news contexts; often implies a formal or state-sanctioned execution.

Usage Examples:

• Казнь осуждённого была проведена в строгом соответствии с законом.

  The execution of the convicted was carried out in strict accordance with the law.

• В некоторых странах казнь всё ещё применяется как мера наказания.

  In some countries, execution is still used as a form of punishment.

• История этой казни стала предметом множества дебатов.

  The history of this execution has become the subject of many debates.

• Казнь была отложена из-за апелляции подсудимого.

  The execution was postponed due to the defendant's appeal.

• Общественность протестует против смертной казни в целом.

  The public protests against capital execution in general.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'исполнение' and 'казнь' are neuter nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard neuter declension patterns. Russian nouns change based on case, number, and gender. 'Исполнение' is more commonly used in singular forms, while 'казнь' can appear in both singular and plural.

Note: These are regular declensions. 'Исполнение' does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• осуществление (osushchestvleniye) - More general, emphasizing achievement or realization.
• выполнение (vypolneniye) - Often used interchangeably with 'исполнение' in task-related contexts.
• приговор (prihovor) - Specifically for 'казнь', implying a judicial sentence leading to execution.

Antonyms:

• отмена (otmena) - Cancellation or annulment, opposite of carrying out.
• провал (proval) - Failure, contrasting with successful execution.

Related Phrases:

• исполнение приговора - Execution of a sentence (refers to carrying out a court decision; often used in legal contexts).
• смертная казнь - Capital execution (a phrase for the death penalty; highlights formal punishment systems).
• эффективное исполнение - Effective execution (used in business to mean successful implementation of plans).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'исполнение' is a versatile term that directly corresponds to the English 'execution' in non-violent contexts, such as business or arts, but always requires attention to case endings for grammatical accuracy. For 'казнь', it's more specific to capital punishment and carries a formal tone, avoiding casual use. English speakers should note that Russian often pairs these words with prepositions like 'в' (in) or 'по' (according to) to indicate context. When choosing between translations, use 'исполнение' for abstract or procedural meanings and 'казнь' for literal death penalties to ensure precision.

• Always consider the register: 'Исполнение' is neutral to formal, while 'казнь' is highly formal and sensitive.
• In spoken Russian, these words might be softened in everyday conversation, e.g., using euphemisms for 'казнь'.

Common Errors:

One common mistake is confusing 'исполнение' with 'выполнение', treating them as identical; however, 'выполнение' is more task-oriented, while 'исполнение' implies a more official or artistic fulfillment. For example, incorrect: "Я сделал выполнение задания" (should be "исполнение" for formal tasks). Correct: "Я сделал исполнение задания". Another error is misdeclining nouns, e.g., using nominative in all cases: "О выполнение плана" instead of "О выполнении плана". This can make sentences grammatically incorrect and confusing.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'казнь' evokes historical references, such as executions during the Soviet era or tsarist times, often linked to themes of justice and human rights. It carries a somber connotation and is frequently discussed in literature and media, reflecting Russia's complex history with capital punishment, which was abolished in 1996 for most crimes but still exists in some forms.

Related Concepts:

• приговор
• наказание
• осуществление