Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'goodwill'

English Word: goodwill

Key Russian Translations:

• доброжелательность [dɐ.brə.ʐɨ.lə.tʲe.lʲ.nəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, often used in diplomatic or interpersonal contexts]
• гудвилл [ɡud.vil] - [Formal, borrowed term, primarily in business or legal contexts; Plural: not applicable as it's a loanword]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, diplomacy, and business, but less so in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate for "доброжелательность" due to its abstract nature and inflection patterns; A2 for "гудвилл" as it's a direct loanword and simpler to use)

Pronunciation (Russian):

доброжелательность: [dɐ.brə.ʐɨ.lə.tʲe.lʲ.nəsʲtʲ]

Note on доброжелательность: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("lə.tʲe"), which can be tricky for learners due to the word's length and the soft consonants. It may vary slightly in rapid speech.

гудвилл: [ɡud.vil]

Note on гудвилл: As a loanword, it retains English-like pronunciation but follows Russian phonetics, with the "g" as a hard [ɡ] sound. No major variations.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Friendly intent, benevolence, or positive disposition towards others

Translation(s) & Context:

• доброжелательность - Used in formal or interpersonal contexts to describe kind intentions, such as in diplomacy or social interactions.

Usage Examples:

• Его доброжелательность всегда помогала в переговорах.

  His goodwill always helped in negotiations.

• В этой культуре ценится доброжелательность по отношению к гостям.

  In this culture, goodwill towards guests is highly valued.

• Доброжелательность руководителя способствует командному духу.

  The goodwill of the leader fosters team spirit.

• Без доброжелательности невозможно построить долгосрочные отношения.

  Without goodwill, it's impossible to build long-term relationships.

• Её доброжелательность проявилась в простом жесте помощи.

  Her goodwill was evident in a simple act of help.

Meaning 2: In business, an intangible asset representing the value of a company's reputation or customer relations

Translation(s) & Context:

• гудвилл - Used in professional, legal, or financial contexts, often in accounting or mergers, as a direct borrowing from English.

Usage Examples:

• При слиянии компаний гудвилл оценивается в миллионы долларов.

  In company mergers, goodwill is valued at millions of dollars.

• Гудвилл бренда является ключевым активом на рынке.

  The goodwill of the brand is a key asset in the market.

• Потеря гудвилла может привести к падению акций.

  Loss of goodwill can lead to a drop in stock prices.

• Инвесторы учитывают гудвилл при оценке предприятия.

  Investors consider goodwill when evaluating a business.

• Гудвилл фирмы вырос благодаря отличному обслуживанию клиентов.

  The firm's goodwill grew due to excellent customer service.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Доброжелательность" is a feminine noun in the third declension group. It follows standard Russian adjective-derived noun patterns with regular inflections for case and number. "Гудвилл" is an indeclinable loanword and does not change forms.

For "гудвилл", it remains unchanged in all cases: гудвилл (e.g., в гудвилле - in goodwill).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: доброта (more general kindness), благожелательность (similar but with a nuance of well-wishing in social contexts)
• добросовестность (emphasizes conscientiousness, often in professional settings)

• Antonyms: злоба (malice), враждебность (hostility), недоброжелательность (ill will, directly contrasting with goodwill)

Related Phrases:

• В духе доброжелательности - In the spirit of goodwill; Used to indicate actions taken with positive intentions, often in diplomatic or social scenarios.
• Потеря гудвилла - Loss of goodwill; Refers to a decline in business reputation, commonly in financial discussions.
• Доброжелательный жест - A gesture of goodwill; Describes a kind act to build relationships.

Usage Notes:

Доброжелательность closely corresponds to the interpersonal meaning of "goodwill" in English, but it's more formal and less common in casual conversation; prefer it in written or official contexts. Гудвилл is a direct equivalent for business scenarios and is often used untranslated in Russian texts. Be mindful of context: in social settings, доброжелательность implies sincerity, while in business, гудвилл is quantifiable. Grammar note: Доброжелательность requires correct case agreement, e.g., with prepositions like "к" (to). When choosing between translations, opt for доброжелательность for emotional or ethical discussions and гудвилл for economic ones.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "доброжелательность" with "доброта," mistakenly using the latter in formal contexts where "доброжелательность" is more precise (e.g., Incorrect: "Его доброта помогла в переговорах" might imply general kindness rather than strategic goodwill; Correct: "Его доброжелательность помогла в переговорах"). Another error is failing to inflect "доброжелательность" properly, such as using the nominative in all cases (e.g., Incorrect: "о доброжелательность" instead of "о доброжелательности"). For "гудвилл," learners might over-inflect it as a Russian word, but it's indeclinable, so avoid changes like "гудвилла."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "доброжелательность" reflects the value of hospitality and mutual respect, often emphasized in literature and social norms, such as during traditional gatherings. It contrasts with the more individualistic Western views of goodwill, highlighting collective harmony. In business, "гудвилл" has been influenced by Western economics, symbolizing how global integration affects Russian corporate language.

Related Concepts:

• дружба (friendship)
• благожелательность (benevolence)
• репутация (reputation)