Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'illegitimate'

English Word: illegitimate

Key Russian Translations:

• незаконный [nʲɪzɐˈkonnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• незаконнорожденный [nʲɪzɐˈkonnərəˈʐdʲɛnnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Used in legal or historical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in legal, social, and historical discussions but are not everyday vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level, as it involves understanding nuanced legal terminology and adjective inflections; for 'незаконнорожденный', it may reach C1 due to its rarity and complex form.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

незаконный: [nʲɪzɐˈkonnɨj]

Note on незаконный: The stress falls on the third syllable ('konn-'), and the palatalized 'nʲ' sound can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft, rolled 'r' in casual speech.

Audio: []

незаконнорожденный: [nʲɪzɐˈkonnərəˈʐdʲɛnnɨj]

Note on незаконнорожденный: This is a compound word with primary stress on the fourth syllable ('rozh-'). The 'ʐ' sound (like a voiced 'sh') is a common difficulty; practice with shorter words first.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not authorized by law; illegal or unlawful (e.g., referring to actions, agreements, or statuses that violate legal standards).

Translation(s) & Context:

• незаконный - Used in formal legal, administrative, or journalistic contexts to describe something prohibited by law, such as an illegal transaction.

Usage Examples:

• В России незаконный ввоз товаров может привести к большим штрафам.

  In Russia, the illegitimate import of goods can lead to significant fines.

• Эта сделка была признана незаконной судом из-за нарушения контракта.

  This deal was deemed illegitimate by the court due to a breach of contract.

• Незаконные протесты часто подавляются полицией в авторитарных режимах.

  Illegitimate protests are often suppressed by the police in authoritarian regimes.

• В документах указано, что строительство велось на незаконной территории.

  The documents state that the construction was carried out on illegitimate territory.

Meaning 2: Born to parents who are not married to each other; referring to a child of unwed parents (historically loaded term).

Translation(s) & Context:

• незаконнорожденный - Used in formal, historical, or literary contexts, often with sensitivity due to modern social changes; less common in everyday speech.

Usage Examples:

• В старых записях многие дети обозначались как незаконнорожденные, но сегодня это термин устарел.

  In old records, many children were labeled as illegitimate, but this term is outdated today.

• Герой романа был незаконнорожденным сыном аристократа, что повлияло на его жизнь.

  The novel's hero was an illegitimate son of an aristocrat, which shaped his life.

• Закон 1917 года в России отменил дискриминацию незаконнорожденных детей.

  The 1917 law in Russia abolished discrimination against illegitimate children.

• В семейных хрониках упоминается, что дед был незаконнорожденным, но это не помешало ему преуспеть.

  Family chronicles mention that grandfather was illegitimate, but it didn't prevent him from succeeding.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are adjectives and follow standard Russian adjective declension patterns, which are regular but can vary by gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify.

Note: These forms are invariable in terms of stress for most cases, but always check agreement with the noun's gender and number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • противоправный (protivopravnyy) - Similar to 'illegal', but emphasizes opposition to the law; used in legal contexts.
  • неправомерный (nepravomernyy) - Focuses on lack of legitimacy, often in administrative settings.
• Antonyms:
  • законный (zakonnyy) - Legal or legitimate; direct opposite in most contexts.
  • правомерный (pravomernyy) - Lawful and justified.

Related Phrases:

• незаконная деятельность - Illegal activity; refers to criminal or unauthorized actions.
• незаконный доступ - Illegitimate access; commonly used in contexts like hacking or data breaches.
• незаконнорожденный ребенок - Illegitimate child; a phrase with historical connotations, now less common due to social changes.

Usage Notes:

'Незаконный' is the most direct translation for the general sense of 'illegitimate' in legal contexts and is preferred in modern Russian for its neutrality. Use 'незаконнорожденный' only for historical or literary discussions about parentage, as it carries outdated stigma. Be mindful of formal register; in informal speech, Russians might opt for euphemisms like 'внебрачный' (out-of-wedlock). When translating, match the context: legal documents use these terms precisely, while everyday conversation avoids them. For multiple meanings, choose based on the primary intent—legal vs. familial.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'незаконный' with 'нелегальный' (nelegal'nyy), which means 'illegal immigrant' or 'undocumented'. Error example: Using 'незаконный' to mean an undocumented worker (incorrect); Correct: 'нелегальный'. Explanation: 'Незаконный' is broader and legal-focused, while 'нелегальный' is specific to migration.
• Overusing 'незаконнорожденный' in modern contexts. Error example: Referring to a child as 'незаконнорожденный' in casual talk (stigmatizing); Correct: Avoid or use 'внебрачный'. Explanation: This term is archaic and can offend; English learners should update their vocabulary to reflect contemporary sensitivities.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'незаконнорожденный' reflect historical attitudes toward family and legitimacy, influenced by Orthodox traditions and Soviet-era policies. For instance, pre-1917 laws discriminated against illegitimate children, but reforms in the 20th century reduced stigma. Today, such terms are rarely used positively, highlighting evolving social norms around family structures.

Related Concepts:

• преступление (prestuplenie) - Crime
• законность (zakonnost') - Legality
• брак (brak) - Marriage