Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hindrance'

English Word: hindrance

Key Russian Translations:

• препятствие [prʲɪˈpʲætstvʲɪje] - [Formal, used in official or written contexts]
• помеха [pɐˈmʲɛxə] - [Informal, often in everyday spoken language]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are commonly encountered in Russian literature, news, and conversation, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and basic sentence structures. For 'препятствие', the difficulty is slightly higher due to its inflection patterns; for 'помеха', it remains at B1.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

препятствие: [prʲɪˈpʲætstvʲɪje]

Note on препятствие: The stress falls on the third syllable ('tsvie'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 't' sound. Practice with native audio for accuracy.

помеха: [pɐˈmʲɛxə]

Note on помеха: The 'x' is pronounced as a guttural 'kh' sound, similar to the Scottish 'loch'. This word has a softer, more fluid pronunciation in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Obstacle or impediment (e.g., something that blocks progress)

Translation(s) & Context:

• препятствие - Used in formal contexts, such as legal documents or discussions about challenges in business or politics, to denote a physical or metaphorical barrier.
• помеха - Applied in informal or everyday situations, like interruptions in daily life or technical issues, emphasizing annoyance or interference.

Usage Examples:

• Это препятствие на дороге заставило нас изменить маршрут.

  This hindrance on the road forced us to change our route.

• Помеха в виде шума помешала мне сосредоточиться на работе.

  The hindrance in the form of noise prevented me from focusing on my work.

• Бюрократическое препятствие задержало проект на несколько месяцев.

  The bureaucratic hindrance delayed the project for several months.

• Эта помеха от соседей всегда возникает в самое неподходящее время.

  This hindrance from the neighbors always comes at the most inconvenient time.

• Препятствие в виде старых законов тормозит развитие экономики.

  The hindrance in the form of outdated laws is hindering economic development.

Alternative meaning: Interference or distraction (e.g., in a more abstract sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• помеха - Common in contexts like technology or personal distractions, where it implies something disruptive.

Usage Examples:

• Электромагнитная помеха нарушила сигнал радиостанции.

  The electromagnetic hindrance disrupted the radio station's signal.

• Помеха в виде отвлекающих мыслей помешала мне уснуть.

  The hindrance in the form of distracting thoughts kept me from sleeping.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'препятствие' and 'помеха' are neuter nouns in Russian, which typically follow the third declension pattern. They undergo changes based on case, number, and gender agreement. 'Препятствие' is more complex due to its consonant clusters, while 'помеха' has regular inflections.

Note: These nouns do not change for gender but must agree with adjectives and verbs in case and number. 'Помеха' has more predictable changes, making it easier for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • преграда (pregrada) - Similar to 'препятствие' but often implies a physical barrier; used in more poetic or descriptive contexts.
  • барьер (barʹer) - Conveys a man-made obstacle, with a connotation of something surmountable.
• Antonyms:
  • помощь (pomoshchʹ) - Help or assistance, directly opposing the idea of obstruction.
  • облегчение (oblegchenie) - Relief or facilitation, emphasizing ease rather than hindrance.

Related Phrases:

• Создать препятствие (Sozdatʹ prepyatstvie) - To create an obstacle; used in contexts of intentional blocking, e.g., in negotiations.
• Помеха в работе (Pomexa v rabote) - Interference in work; refers to distractions in professional settings, with a connotation of annoyance.
• Преодолеть препятствие (Preodoletʹ prepyatstvie) - To overcome a hindrance; a common motivational phrase in Russian culture.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'препятствие' is the more precise equivalent of 'hindrance' in formal English contexts, such as legal or academic writing, while 'помеха' aligns better with informal or everyday uses like interruptions. Choose 'препятствие' for metaphorical or physical barriers in structured environments, and 'помеха' for nuisances in casual speech. Be mindful of declensions to ensure grammatical agreement, as errors can alter the sentence's meaning. For example, in questions or descriptions, the noun must match the case of accompanying prepositions.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'препятствие' in informal contexts where 'помеха' is more natural, e.g., saying "Это препятствие от шума" instead of "Это помеха от шума" for "This noise hindrance."
  Correct: "Это помеха от шума" – Explanation: 'Помеха' fits better for everyday annoyances, while 'препятствие' implies a more significant barrier.
• Mistake: Forgetting to decline the noun, e.g., using nominative "препятствие" in a genitive context like "из-за препятствие" instead of "из-за препятствия."
  Correct: "Из-за препятствия" – Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so learners must practice declensions to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'препятствие' often appear in literature and proverbs, symbolizing life's challenges, as in the famous phrase from Russian folklore: "Препятствия закаляют характер" (Obstacles forge character). This reflects a cultural emphasis on resilience and overcoming adversity, influenced by historical events like wars and revolutions.

Related Concepts:

• проблема (problema) - Problem
• трудность (trudnostʹ) - Difficulty
• барьер (barʹer) - Barrier