Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'intentionally'

English Word: intentionally

Key Russian Translations:

• намеренно [nəˈmʲerʲɪnə] - [Formal]
• умышленно [uˈmɨʂlʲɪnə] - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in written and formal contexts, such as legal or academic discussions, but less frequent in everyday casual speech).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adverbs and formal vocabulary, suitable for learners with basic intermediate proficiency in Russian).

Pronunciation (Russian):

намеренно: [nəˈmʲerʲɪnə]

умышленно: [uˈmɨʂlʲɪnə]

Note on намеренно: Stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'r' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Note on умышленно: Stress on the second syllable; the 'ш' sound is similar to the English 'sh' in 'she', but ensure it's not overly aspirated.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Deliberately or on purpose, indicating an action performed with intent.

Translation(s) & Context:

• намеренно: Used in formal or legal contexts to describe intentional actions, such as in contracts or reports.
• умышленно: Similar to намеренно, but often implies a more deliberate or planned intent, common in legal or ethical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он сделал это намеренно, чтобы проверить реакцию команды.

  He did it intentionally to test the team's reaction.

• Она умышленно изменила детали в отчете, вызвав путаницу.

  She intentionally altered the details in the report, causing confusion.

• Водитель намеренно превысил скорость, рискуя штрафом.

  The driver intentionally exceeded the speed limit, risking a fine.

• Компания умышленно скрыла информацию от инвесторов.

  The company intentionally withheld information from investors.

• Ребенок намеренно сломал игрушку, чтобы привлечь внимание.

  The child intentionally broke the toy to get attention.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "намеренно" and "умышленно" are adverbs in Russian and do not undergo inflection based on gender, number, or case. Adverbs like these remain unchanged in all contexts, making them straightforward for learners. For example:

Note: As adverbs, they do not vary; however, ensure correct placement in sentences for emphasis, typically before or after the verb.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • целенаправленно (tselenapravlenno) - More focused on goal-oriented actions; used in professional or motivational contexts.
  • преднамеренно (prednamerenno) - Implies pre-planning; subtle difference from намеренно in emphasizing foresight.
• Antonyms:
  • случайно (sluchayno) - Accidentally or unintentionally.
  • невольно (nevolno) - Involuntarily or without intention.

Related Phrases:

• намеренно причинить вред - Intentionally cause harm; used in legal contexts to describe deliberate injury.
• умышленное убийство - Intentional murder; a common phrase in criminal law discussions.
• намеренно игнорировать - Intentionally ignore; implies deliberate oversight in interpersonal or professional settings.

Usage Notes:

"намеренно" and "умышленно" both translate to "intentionally" but differ subtly: "намеренно" is more general and formal, while "умышленно" often carries a legal connotation, as in crimes or ethics. English users should choose based on context—opt for "намеренно" in everyday formal writing and "умышленно" for situations involving intent in law. Be mindful of sentence structure; in Russian, these adverbs typically precede the verb for emphasis, e.g., "Он намеренно опоздал" (He intentionally was late). Avoid overuse in casual speech, as they sound formal.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "намеренно" with "случайно": English learners might accidentally use "случайно" when meaning "intentionally," e.g., saying "Он сделал это случайно" (He did it accidentally) instead of "Он сделал это намеренно." Correct usage: Always verify intent; "намеренно" emphasizes purpose.

• Misplacing the adverb: Placing it at the end of the sentence, e.g., "Он сделал это случайно намеренно," which is incorrect and confusing. Right way: "Он сделал это намеренно." Explanation: In Russian, adverbs like these should be near the verb for clarity.

• Overgeneralizing translations: Assuming "умышленно" is interchangeable with "намеренно" in all contexts, leading to awkward phrasing in legal texts. Correct: Use "умышленно" only for deliberate, planned actions to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and language, words like "намеренно" and "умышленно" often appear in legal or moral discussions, reflecting Russia's emphasis on personal responsibility in contexts like Soviet-era literature or modern court cases. For instance, they highlight intent in stories of historical events, underscoring the cultural value placed on accountability in society.

Related Concepts:

• случайно
• преднамеренно
• добровольно