Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'grievance'

English Word: grievance

Key Russian Translations:

• жалоба /ʐɐˈlobə/ - [Formal, used in official or legal contexts]
• недовольство /nʲɪdɐˈvolʲstvə/ - [Informal, everyday expressions of dissatisfaction]
• обида /ɐˈbʲidə/ - [Emotional, personal sense of resentment]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, legal documents, and everyday conversations, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual usage; 'жалоба' is straightforward for intermediates, while 'обида' may need more nuance for advanced learners).

Pronunciation (Russian):

жалоба: /ʐɐˈlobə/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure').

недовольство: /nʲɪdɐˈvolʲstvə/ (Stress on the third syllable; note the soft 'нʲ' and the palatalized 'вʲ').

обида: /ɐˈbʲidə/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'бʲ' is palatalized, making it softer than in English).

Note on жалоба: Be careful with the 'ж' sound, as it's often mispronounced by English speakers as 'zh' in 'azure'. Variations in regional accents may soften it further.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A real or imagined wrong causing complaint (e.g., personal dissatisfaction)

Translation(s) & Context:

• обида - Used in emotional or interpersonal contexts, such as family disputes or personal feelings.
• недовольство - Applied in informal settings, like everyday venting about minor issues.

Usage Examples:

• Его обида на несправедливое решение длилась несколько дней.

  His grievance over the unfair decision lasted for several days.

• Это недовольство сотрудников вылилось в открытый разговор с начальством.

  This grievance among employees turned into an open discussion with management.

• После обиды она решила не общаться с ним больше.

  After the grievance, she decided not to speak to him anymore.

• Недовольство клиента по поводу задержки заказа было быстро улажено.

  The customer's grievance about the order delay was quickly resolved.

An official statement of complaint (e.g., legal or formal contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• жалоба - Primarily used in bureaucratic, legal, or professional environments, such as filing a complaint with authorities.

Usage Examples:

• Жалоба на плохое обслуживание была подана в службу поддержки.

  The grievance about poor service was filed with customer support.

• Суд рассмотрит жалобу по поводу нарушения прав.

  The court will review the grievance regarding rights violations.

• Эта жалоба включает детальное описание инцидента.

  This grievance includes a detailed description of the incident.

• Жалоба была принята, и расследование началось немедленно.

  The grievance was accepted, and the investigation started immediately.

• В жалобе указано несколько нарушений трудового законодательства.

  The grievance lists several violations of labor laws.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Жалоба' is a feminine noun in the first declension group, which follows standard patterns for Russian nouns. It inflects based on case and number. 'Недовольство' is a neuter noun with similar declension rules. 'Обида' is also feminine and inflects regularly.

For 'недовольство' and 'обида', similar patterns apply, but they are invariable in gender and follow standard neuter/feminine rules without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • жалоба - претензия (more formal, implying a claim)
  • недовольство - раздражение (slight irritation, less intense)
  • обида - оскорбление (offense, with a stronger emotional connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • довольство (satisfaction)
  • счастье (happiness)
  • примирение (reconciliation)

Related Phrases:

• Подать жалобу - To file a grievance (used in official complaint processes).
• Выразить недовольство - To express dissatisfaction (informal way to voice a grievance in daily life).
• Затаить обиду - To harbor a grudge (implies holding onto a personal grievance over time).

Usage Notes:

'Жалоба' directly corresponds to formal English grievances, such as in legal or workplace contexts, and should be used with proper declension based on sentence structure. 'Недовольство' is more versatile for everyday use but carries a broader emotional weight than simple complaints. When choosing between translations, opt for 'обида' in personal relationships to convey hurt feelings. Be mindful of context: Russian culture often emphasizes resolving grievances indirectly to maintain harmony, so phrases like 'выразить недовольство' might be softened in polite conversation.

Common Errors:

• English speakers often confuse 'жалоба' with 'жалость' (pity), leading to sentences like "Я имею жалость" instead of "Я имею жалобу". Correct usage: "Я подаю жалобу" (I am filing a grievance). The error stems from similar roots, but 'жалость' means sympathy, not complaint.

• Misdeclining nouns, e.g., using 'жалоба' in the wrong case: "О жалобы" (incorrect) vs. "О жалобе" (correct for prepositional case). Always adjust based on the preposition or sentence role for grammatical accuracy.

• Overusing 'обида' in formal settings: Saying "Моя обида на компанию" instead of "Моя жалоба на компанию" can make it sound too emotional for professional contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressing a 'grievance' like 'обида' is often tied to concepts of honor and personal dignity, influenced by historical literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works). 'Жалоба' in official settings reflects the bureaucratic traditions of the Soviet era, where formal complaints were a common way to address state inefficiencies, fostering a cultural norm of patience and persistence in seeking resolution.

Related Concepts:

• претензия
• спор
• конфликт