Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'incorrectly'

English Word: incorrectly

Key Russian Translations:

• неправильно (/nʲɪˈpravʲɪlʲnə/) - [Informal, Adverbial use in everyday contexts]
• неверно (/nʲɪˈvʲernə/) - [Formal, Often in written or academic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in daily conversations and written Russian, but not as frequent as basic adverbs like "хорошо").

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary level; straightforward for beginners, but requires basic understanding of adverb formation in Russian).

Pronunciation (Russian):

неправильно: /nʲɪˈpravʲɪlʲnə/ (Stress on the third syllable; the 'п' is pronounced softly due to the following vowel.)

Note on неправильно: Be cautious with the soft 'р' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; it softens before vowels in Russian.

Note on неверно: /nʲɪˈvʲernə/ (The 'в' is pronounced as a voiced labiodental fricative; stress is on the second syllable.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: In an erroneous or mistaken manner (as an adverb describing incorrect action or behavior).

Translation(s) & Context:

• неправильно - Used in informal spoken language for everyday mistakes, such as in casual conversations or instructions.
• неверно - Applied in more formal or precise contexts, like reports, exams, or professional settings.

Usage Examples:

• Он сделал задание неправильно, потому что не понял инструкции.

  He did the assignment incorrectly because he didn't understand the instructions.

• Если вы ответите неверно, вам придется переделать тест.

  If you answer incorrectly, you'll have to retake the test.

• В этом рецепте ингредиенты смешаны неправильно, что повлияло на вкус.

  In this recipe, the ingredients were mixed incorrectly, which affected the taste.

• Она неправильно перевела текст, из-за чего смысл изменился.

  She translated the text incorrectly, which changed the meaning.

• В официальном отчете данные указаны неверно, что может привести к ошибкам.

  The data is stated incorrectly in the official report, which could lead to errors.

Meaning 2: Not in accordance with rules or standards (implying deviation from correctness).

Translation(s) & Context:

• неправильно - Common in educational or instructional contexts, emphasizing practical errors.
• неверно - Used in logical or factual discussions, such as in debates or scientific explanations.

Usage Examples:

• Дети часто рисуют неправильно, но это часть их творчества.

  Children often draw incorrectly, but that's part of their creativity.

• Если формула записана неверно, эксперимент не удастся.

  If the formula is written incorrectly, the experiment won't succeed.

• В контракте неправильно указано время, что вызывает путаницу.

  The time is specified incorrectly in the contract, causing confusion.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "неправильно" and "неверно" are adverbs in Russian and typically do not inflect for case, number, or gender, as adverbs remain invariant. However, they can vary slightly in context based on sentence structure.

For "неправильно" (from the adjective "неправильный"):

For "неверно" (from the adjective "неверный"):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • неверно (Similar to "incorrectly" but with a more factual tone; often used interchangeably in formal contexts)
  • ошибочно (Emphasizes error due to mistake, slightly more emotional)
• Antonyms:
  • правильно (Correctly, directly opposite in meaning)
  • верно (Accurately, used in verification contexts)

Related Phrases:

• неправильно понять - To misunderstand (Common in communication errors; literal translation: "to understand incorrectly").
• сделать неправильно - To do something incorrectly (Used for actions or tasks; implies a practical mistake).
• неверно истолковать - To interpret incorrectly (Formal phrase for misinterpretation in texts or speeches).

Usage Notes:

• While "incorrectly" in English is a straightforward adverb, Russian translations like "неправильно" are more versatile and can adapt to context—use "неправильно" for everyday errors and "неверно" for factual inaccuracies to match the nuance.
• In Russian, adverbs like these often follow the verb they modify, e.g., "сделал неправильно," unlike English word order.
• Be mindful of register: "неправильно" is neutral to informal, while "неверно" suits formal writing; choose based on audience.
• For learners, remember that Russian adverbs don't change form, making them easier than nouns or verbs.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "неправильно" with "не правильный" (which is not a word; learners might incorrectly add spaces or misuse adjectives). Correct: Use "неправильно" as a single adverb. Example of error: "Он не правильный сделал" (incorrect). Correct: "Он сделал неправильно."
• Error: Overusing "неверно" in casual speech, where "неправильно" is more natural. Explanation: "Неверно" sounds overly formal in everyday talk, leading to awkwardness.
• Error: Mispronouncing the soft consonants, e.g., saying /nəˈpravɪlno/ instead of /nʲɪˈpravʲɪlʲnə/. Correct: Practice the palatalized 'н' sound to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, admitting something was done "incorrectly" (e.g., неправильно) often involves humility or self-deprecation, especially in educational or professional settings. This reflects a cultural emphasis on precision and correction, as seen in the rigorous Russian education system where errors are methodically addressed.

Related Concepts:

• ошибка (error)
• правильность (correctness)
• верность (accuracy)