Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'failing'

English Word: failing

Key Russian Translations:

• недостаток [nʲɪdɐˈstatək] - [Formal, Singular]
• провал [prɐˈval] - [Informal, Often used in contexts of failure or breakdown]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday discussions about weaknesses, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "good" or "bad")

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and common abstract concepts, though "недостаток" is straightforward for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

недостаток: [nʲɪdɐˈstatək]

Note on недостаток: The stress falls on the third syllable ("sta"), which is a common feature in Russian nouns. Be careful with the palatalized 'н' sound at the beginning.

провал: [prɐˈval]

Note on провал: The 'р' is rolled, and the stress is on the second syllable. This word may have regional variations in pronunciation in informal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A weakness, fault, or shortcoming

Translation(s) & Context:

• недостаток - Used in formal or professional contexts, such as performance reviews or self-analysis, to describe personal or systemic flaws.
• провал - Applied in more casual or dramatic situations, like describing a failed attempt or a breakdown in plans.

Usage Examples:

• Его главный недостаток — это отсутствие пунктуальности.

  His main failing is a lack of punctuality. (This example shows the word in a character evaluation context.)

• В проекте были выявлены несколько провалов в планировании.

  Several failings were identified in the project's planning. (Here, it illustrates use in a professional or analytical setting.)

• Несмотря на недостатки, она достигла успеха в карьере.

  Despite her failings, she achieved success in her career. (This demonstrates the word in a reflective, biographical context.)

• Этот провал в переговорах мог стоить нам контракта.

  This failing in the negotiations could have cost us the contract. (Example of informal use in business scenarios.)

• Каждый человек имеет свои недостатки, но важно их преодолевать.

  Every person has their failings, but it's important to overcome them. (This shows the word in a motivational or philosophical context.)

A failure or unsuccessful attempt

Translation(s) & Context:

• провал - Common in narratives or casual conversations about setbacks, often implying a more temporary or event-specific failing.

Usage Examples:

• Провал экзамена не означает конец всему.

  Failing an exam doesn't mean it's the end of everything. (This example highlights use in educational contexts.)

• Из-за провала в коммуникации проект задержался.

  Due to a failing in communication, the project was delayed. (Illustrates application in teamwork or organizational settings.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "недостаток" (a masculine noun of the third declension), it follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns. It changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table of its declensions:

For "провал" (also a masculine noun), it has similar inflections but is less commonly used in plural forms:

These words do not change for gender but are invariant in terms of verb agreement when used as subjects.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • проблема (more general issue, often interchangeable in casual speech)
  • слабость (emphasizes physical or emotional weakness, with subtle differences in connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • преимущество (advantage, directly opposite in evaluative contexts)
  • достоинство (merit or strength)

Related Phrases:

• Исправить недостаток - To correct a failing (Used in self-improvement or editing contexts.)
• Страдать от провала - To suffer from a failing (Common in emotional or psychological discussions.)
• Недостатки характера - Failings of character (A phrase for describing personality flaws.)

Usage Notes:

"Failing" in English often corresponds to "недостаток" in more formal Russian settings, such as academic or professional writing, where precision is key. However, "провал" is better for dynamic or event-based contexts like failures in projects. Be mindful of the noun's declension to match the sentence structure; for example, use the genitive case after prepositions like "из-за" (because of). When choosing between translations, opt for "недостаток" in evaluative scenarios and "провал" for abrupt setbacks. This vocabulary is neutral in tone but can carry negative connotations, so context matters in polite conversations.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "недостаток" interchangeably with "провал" without considering context. For example, learners might say "Мой провал в учебе" when "Мой недостаток в учебе" is more appropriate for a persistent weakness. Correct: "недостаток" for ongoing issues; Explanation: "Провал" implies a specific event, while "недостаток" is about inherent flaws.
• Mistake: Forgetting to decline the noun properly, e.g., saying "Из недостаток" instead of "Из-за недостатка". Correct: Always decline based on case; Explanation: Russian requires agreement with prepositions, which can confuse English speakers used to invariant nouns.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussing "failings" like "недостатки" is often tied to the concept of self-criticism and improvement, influenced by historical Soviet-era emphasis on collective accountability. Words like this are commonly used in literature and media to explore personal growth, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy, where characters reflect on their flaws as part of moral development.

Related Concepts:

• ошибка (error)
• слабость (weakness)
• неудача (failure)