Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'intention'

English Word: intention

Key Russian Translations:

• намерение [nəmɪ'rɛnʲɪje] - [Formal, Singular]
• цель [tselʲ] - [Formal, can imply a more goal-oriented context]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday discussions, literature, and professional settings)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of noun declensions and basic sentence structures; for 'намерение', it's straightforward, but 'цель' may vary slightly in nuance)

Pronunciation (Russian):

намерение: [nəmɪ'rɛnʲɪje]

Note on намерение: The stress falls on the third syllable ('rɛnʲ'). Pronunciation can vary slightly in fast speech, where the 'e' sound might soften.

цель: [tselʲ]

Note on цель: The final 'ь' is a soft sign and does not affect pronunciation directly but indicates palatalization of the preceding consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A thing intended; an aim or plan (general purpose or resolve)

Translation(s) & Context:

• намерение - Used in formal contexts, such as legal documents, psychological discussions, or personal planning, to denote a deliberate plan or motive.
• цель - Often used in motivational or goal-setting contexts, implying a target or objective, such as in business or sports.

Usage Examples:

• Его намерение посетить Россию было ясно с самого начала.

  His intention to visit Russia was clear from the very beginning.

• В компании объявили о новом намерении расширить рынок.

  The company announced a new intention to expand the market.

• Цель этого проекта — улучшить качество жизни горожан.

  The intention of this project is to improve the quality of life for city residents.

• Несмотря на хорошие намерения, план не удался.

  Despite good intentions, the plan failed.

• Ее цель в жизни — стать успешным предпринимателем, но намерение требует дисциплины.

  Her intention in life is to become a successful entrepreneur, but it requires discipline.

2. The state of mind with which an act is done (implying motive or purpose)

Translation(s) & Context:

• намерение - Applied in ethical or legal scenarios, emphasizing the mental state behind an action.

Usage Examples:

• Суд учел его намерение, несмотря на последствия.

  The court took his intention into account, despite the consequences.

• В психологии намерение часто анализируется как ключевой фактор поведения.

  In psychology, intention is often analyzed as a key factor in behavior.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'намерение' is a neuter noun in the third declension, which follows regular patterns for Russian nouns. It inflects based on case and number. 'цель' is a feminine noun in the first declension with standard inflections.

Note: These are regular inflections; no irregularities for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • цель (more goal-focused, often interchangeable in motivational contexts)
  • план (implies a structured approach, with subtle differences in premeditation)
• Antonyms:
  • нерешительность (indecision, highlighting the opposite of a firm intention)
  • случайность (randomness, for contexts without deliberate planning)

Related Phrases:

• С добрыми намерениями - With good intentions (often used to describe actions meant well but with unintended negative outcomes)
• Иметь в виду - To have in mind (a phrase incorporating intention in planning)
• Потерять намерение - To lose intention (indicating abandonment of a plan)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'намерение' directly corresponds to the English 'intention' in formal or abstract contexts, but it may carry a stronger sense of resolve. Choose 'цель' when emphasizing an end goal. Be mindful of grammatical gender and case agreements; for example, always decline based on sentence role. In informal speech, Russians might use phrases like 'хочу' (I want) instead of explicitly stating 'намерение' to convey similar ideas. When translating, consider the context: legal texts prefer 'намерение', while everyday talk might opt for simpler synonyms.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'намерение' without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я видел намерение" instead of "Я видел намерение" (correct, but learners might forget in other cases like "о намерении"). Correct: Always adjust for case, such as "о намерении" in genitive. Explanation: Russian nouns must agree with prepositions and verbs, which can confuse English speakers used to invariant nouns.

• Error: Confusing 'намерение' with 'цель', e.g., translating "I have an intention to travel" as "У меня цель путешествовать" when 'намерение' is more accurate for personal resolve. Correct: Use 'намерение' for mental intent. Explanation: 'Цель' implies a tangible objective, while 'намерение' focuses on the process or mindset.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, intentions (намерения) are often discussed in literature and philosophy, as seen in works by Dostoevsky, where characters' inner motives drive the plot. This reflects a cultural emphasis on introspection and the moral implications of actions, differing from more action-oriented Western portrayals.

Related Concepts:

• мотивация (motivation)
• решение (decision)
• целеустремленность (determination)