Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'intestate'

English Word: intestate

Key Russian Translations:

• без завещания (/bɛz zəvʲɪˈʂanʲijə/) - [Formal, Legal context]
• умерший без завещания (/uˈmʲɛrʂɨj bɛz zəvʲɪˈʂanʲijə/) - [Formal, Descriptive usage]

Frequency: Low (This term is primarily used in legal and formal contexts, not in everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: Advanced (C1 level, as it involves specialized legal vocabulary and requires understanding of Russian inheritance laws.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

без завещания: /bɛz zəvʲɪˈʂanʲijə/

умерший без завещания: /uˈmʲɛrʂɨj bɛz zəvʲɪˈʂanʲijə/

Note on без завещания: The stress falls on the syllable "sha" in "завещания," which can be tricky for learners due to the soft consonants. Pronounce it with a clear /ʂ/ sound, similar to the "sh" in "shesh."

Note on умерший без завещания: The word "умерший" has a past participle form and may vary slightly in informal speech; focus on the soft /ʂ/ in "завещания" as a potential challenge.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Dying without a will (Primary meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• без завещания - Used in formal legal documents or discussions about inheritance, emphasizing the absence of a will.
• умерший без завещания - Applied in narrative or descriptive contexts, such as in court proceedings or family disputes.

Usage Examples:

• Если человек умирает без завещания, его имущество распределяется по закону.

  If a person dies intestate, their property is distributed according to the law.

• Его отец оставил семью в трудном положении, так как умер без завещания.

  His father left the family in a difficult situation, as he died intestate.

• В случае смерти без завещания наследники должны обратиться в суд.

  In the case of dying intestate, heirs must go to court.

• Многие люди не осознают последствия, если они умрут без завещания.

  Many people don't realize the consequences if they die intestate.

• Адвокат объяснил, что без завещания активы переходят к ближайшим родственникам.

  The lawyer explained that without a will, assets pass to the closest relatives if someone dies intestate.

Alternative meaning: Related to estate without a will (if applicable in extended contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• без завещания - In broader estate planning, referring to unmanaged assets.

Usage Examples:

• Наследство без завещания часто приводит к семейным конфликтам.

  An intestate estate often leads to family conflicts.

• Суд регулирует распределение имущества без завещания.

  The court regulates the distribution of an intestate estate.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Без завещания" is a phrase where "без" is an invariable preposition, and "завещания" is the genitive singular form of the neuter noun "завещание" (will). "Умерший без завещания" includes the adjective "умерший," which is a past passive participle that inflects based on gender, number, and case.

For "завещание" (neuter noun, 2nd declension):

For "умерший" (adjective/participle, short form varies):

• Masculine singular: умерший
• Feminine singular: умершая
• Neuter singular: умершее
• Plural: умершие

This phrase is relatively stable but adjusts based on sentence structure.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • не оставивший завещания (Slightly more descriptive, often used in narrative contexts to emphasize the act of not leaving a will.)
  • без testamenta (Rare, borrowed term in legal jargon, but less common.)
• Antonyms:
  • с завещанием (Direct opposite, meaning "with a will," used in legal comparisons.)
  • оставивший завещание (Meaning "having left a will," for contrast in discussions.)

Related Phrases:

• наследство без завещания - Refers to an inheritance distributed without a will, often leading to legal disputes.
• умереть без завещания - A common phrase meaning "to die intestate," used in advisory contexts like financial planning.
• распределение имущества без завещания - Means "distribution of property without a will," highlighting the process in Russian law.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "intestate" is not a direct loanword but is translated as phrases like "без завещания," which are used exclusively in formal or legal settings. Unlike English, where "intestate" is a single word, Russian relies on descriptive constructions, making it important to include the full context. Choose "без завещания" for concise legal documents and "умерший без завещания" for narrative explanations. Be mindful of grammatical agreement: the noun in genitive case must match the subject. This term is restricted to discussions of inheritance and estate law, so avoid using it in casual conversation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "интестат" as a direct borrowing, which is not standard in Russian and may confuse native speakers.
  Correct: Stick to "без завещания" for accuracy.
  Example of error: "Он интестат." (Incorrect)
  Correct example: "Он умер без завещания." (This provides the proper context and phrasing.)
• Error: Forgetting genitive case agreement, e.g., saying "без завещание" instead of "без завещания."
  Correct: Always use the genitive form as shown.
  Example of error: "Смерть без завещание." (Grammatically wrong)
  Correct example: "Смерть без завещания." (Proper inflection.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and law, dying intestate is governed by the Civil Code, which prioritizes close relatives for inheritance. This reflects a historical emphasis on family structures in Russian society, influenced by Soviet-era policies that minimized individual estate planning. Understanding this term can help English speakers navigate cultural differences in inheritance practices, where written wills are less emphasized in informal family settings.

Related Concepts:

• наследство (inheritance)
• завещание (will)
• суд по наследственным делам (inheritance court)