Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'intentional'

English Word: intentional

Key Russian Translations:

• намеренный [nəmɪˈrɛnʲɪj] - [Formal, commonly used in everyday and legal contexts]
• умышленный [ʊmʲɪˈʃlʲɛnʲɪj] - [Formal, often in legal or official settings]
• преднамеренный [prʲɪdnəmɪˈrɛnʲɪj] - [Formal, emphasizing premeditation]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in standard Russian texts, conversations, and legal documents, but not as common in casual speech.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective forms and nuanced contexts, suitable for learners with intermediate Russian proficiency.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

намеренный: [nəmɪˈrɛnʲɪj] (Stress on the third syllable; the 'р' is rolled, which is a common feature in Russian pronunciation.)

умышленный: [ʊmʲɪˈʃlʲɛnʲɪj] (Stress on the second syllable; note the palatalized 'ш' sound, which can be tricky for non-native speakers.)

преднамеренный: [prʲɪdnəmɪˈrɛnʲɪj] (Stress on the fourth syllable; pay attention to the soft 'п' at the beginning.)

Note on намеренный: This word often has a slight variation in informal speech, where the final vowel may soften, but in standard pronunciation, it's clear.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Done on purpose or with intention

Translation(s) & Context:

• намеренный - Used in everyday situations to describe actions that are deliberate, e.g., in discussions about behavior or decisions.
• умышленный - Applied in formal or legal contexts, such as crimes or agreements, to indicate premeditated actions.
• преднамеренный - Employed when emphasizing planning ahead, often in narrative or analytical writing.

Usage Examples:

• Он сделал это намеренно, чтобы привлечь внимание.

  He did it intentionally to get attention. (This example shows the word in a personal context, highlighting deliberate behavior.)

• Её умышленный акт вандализма привёл к судебному разбиратству.

  Her intentional act of vandalism led to a court case. (Demonstrates use in a legal setting with the translation 'умышленный'.)

• Преднамеренный выбор слов в его речи вызвал споры.

  The intentional choice of words in his speech sparked controversy. (Illustrates 'преднамеренный' in a communicative context.)

• В её действиях было что-то намеренное, но не злобное.

  There was something intentional in her actions, but not malicious. (Shows variation in tone and grammar.)

• Умышленный игнор правил может привести к штрафам.

  Intentional disregard for rules can result in fines. (Emphasizes consequences in a regulatory context.)

Meaning 2: Related to intent in a planned or willful manner

Translation(s) & Context:

• намеренный - In contexts involving decision-making, such as psychology or education.
• преднамеренный - In strategic or business scenarios, to denote calculated moves.

Usage Examples:

• Намеренный подход к изучению языка помогает достичь лучших результатов.

  An intentional approach to language learning helps achieve better results. (This highlights educational use.)

• Преднамеренный маркетинговый план принес компании успех.

  The intentional marketing plan brought success to the company. (Shows application in business.)

• Его намеренные ошибки в тесте были частью стратегии.

  His intentional mistakes in the test were part of a strategy. (Demonstrates subtle or deceptive intent.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily adjectives, which in Russian undergo inflection based on gender, number, and case. They follow standard adjective patterns, which can be regular but require attention to agreement with nouns.

Note: These adjectives are invariable in terms of stress patterns but must agree with the nouns they modify. They do not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сознательный (more neutral, implying awareness)
  • волевой (emphasizing willpower, with a subtle difference in connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • случайный (accidental, used in everyday contexts)
  • неумышленный (unintentional, particularly in legal terms)

Related Phrases:

• намеренный вред - Intentional harm (Refers to deliberate damage in legal or ethical discussions.)
• умышленное убийство - Intentional murder (A common phrase in criminal law contexts.)
• преднамеренная ложь - Intentional lie (Used to describe deliberate deception in interpersonal relationships.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, these translations correspond closely to "intentional" in English, but 'умышленный' is often reserved for formal or legal scenarios, while 'намеренный' is more versatile for daily use. Be mindful of grammatical agreement: always adjust the adjective to match the noun's gender, number, and case. For example, choose 'намеренный' over 'умышленный' in casual conversations to avoid sounding overly formal. When multiple translations apply, select based on context—e.g., legal documents favor 'умышленный'.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'намеренный' in legal contexts where 'умышленный' is standard, e.g., saying "намеренное убийство" instead of "умышленное убийство".
  Correct: "Умышленное убийство" means "intentional murder" in legal terms. Explanation: 'Умышленный' carries a specific connotation of premeditation required in Russian law.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., using "намеренный дом" (incorrect for a feminine noun like "идея").
  Correct: "Намеренная идея" (feminine form). Explanation: Russian adjectives must inflect to agree with the noun, which is a common pitfall for English speakers used to invariable adjectives.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and language, words like 'умышленный' often appear in contexts influenced by the country's legal history, such as Soviet-era codes, where intent plays a crucial role in determining guilt. This reflects a broader emphasis on collective responsibility and premeditation in social interactions, helping English speakers understand nuances in Russian interpersonal dynamics.

Related Concepts:

• волевой
• сознательный
• предумышленный