Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'illegal'

English Word: illegal

Key Russian Translations:

• незаконный [nʲɪzɐˈkonnɨj] - [Formal, commonly used in legal and official contexts]
• противозаконный [prətʲivəzɐˈkonnɨj] - [Formal, more emphatic, often implying strong opposition to the law]

Frequency: Medium (Frequently encountered in legal, news, and everyday discussions about regulations, but not as common in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic legal vocabulary and adjective inflections, with "незаконный" being standard and "противозаконный" slightly more advanced due to its nuance)

Pronunciation (Russian):

незаконный: [nʲɪzɐˈkonnɨj]

противозаконный: [prətʲivəzɐˈkonnɨj]

Note on незаконный: The stress is on the third syllable ("kon"), and the initial "н" is palatalized, which can be tricky for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Not allowed by law; against the rules or regulations

Translation(s) & Context:

• незаконный - Used in formal contexts like laws, contracts, or news reports to describe actions, items, or situations that violate legal standards.
• противозаконный - Applied in more intense scenarios, such as criminal activities, where the opposition to the law is explicit, often in judicial or ethical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он был арестован за незаконную торговлю наркотиками.

  He was arrested for illegal drug trafficking. (This example shows the word in a legal context involving crime.)

• Эта деятельность считается противозаконной в нашей стране.

  This activity is considered illegal in our country. (Demonstrates use in a broader regulatory context, emphasizing prohibition.)

• Незаконная парковка может привести к штрафу.

  Illegal parking can lead to a fine. (Illustrates everyday application in minor infractions.)

• Противозаконные действия компании были разоблачены журналистами.

  The company's illegal actions were exposed by journalists. (Shows use in investigative or corporate settings.)

• В России незаконный въезд на территорию может повлечь депортацию.

  In Russia, illegal entry into the territory can result in deportation. (Highlights cross-border or immigration contexts.)

Secondary Meaning: Not authorized or permitted (e.g., in informal or non-legal contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• незаконный - In less formal settings, such as school rules or community guidelines, to indicate something forbidden.

Usage Examples:

• Ученикам запрещено использовать незаконные материалы на экзамене.

  Students are prohibited from using illegal materials on the exam. (This shows the word in an educational context.)

• Незаконное скачивание фильмов может нарушить авторские права.

  Illegal downloading of movies can violate copyright laws. (Demonstrates digital or intellectual property usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "незаконный" and "противозаконный" are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow the standard first-declension adjective pattern, with some irregularities in certain forms.

For "противозаконный", the inflections follow the same pattern as above, but it is less commonly used and may feel more formal.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • неправомерный (nepravo-mernyy) - Similar but often used for actions that are unjust or improper under specific rules.
  • запрещенный (zapreshchennyy) - Means prohibited, with a focus on explicit bans.
• Antonyms:
  • законный (zakonnyy)
  • легальный (legal'nyy)

Related Phrases:

• незаконная деятельность - Illegal activity (Refers to actions that break the law, often in organized crime contexts).
• противозаконные методы - Illegal methods (Used for unethical or forbidden approaches in business or investigations).
• незаконный въезд - Illegal entry (Common in immigration discussions, implying unauthorized border crossing).

Usage Notes:

Choose "незаконный" for general legal violations, as it directly mirrors the English "illegal" in most contexts. "Противозаконный" is better for situations emphasizing active defiance of the law. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical gender and case requirements; for example, always inflect the adjective to agree with the noun it modifies. In formal writing or speech, these words are preferred over slang equivalents like "крутой" (which isn't accurate here). English speakers should note that Russian law has specific cultural interpretations, so context is key.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "незаконный" interchangeably with "неправильный" (incorrect), thinking they mean the same. Correct: "незаконный" specifically means against the law, while "неправильный" means simply wrong or inaccurate. Example: Say "незаконный акт" for an illegal act, not "неправильный акт".
• Mistake: Forgetting to inflect the adjective, e.g., saying "незаконный дом" for a feminine noun like "квартира" without changing to "незаконная". Correct: Use "незаконная квартира". This error can make sentences grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and legal systems, words like "незаконный" often carry implications of state authority, stemming from the country's history with strict regulations under the Soviet era. For instance, what might be considered a minor "illegal" act in Western contexts could have severe consequences in Russia, reflecting a broader emphasis on centralized control and public order.

Related Concepts:

• преступление (crime)
• нарушение (violation)
• штраф (fine)