Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'inviolable'

English Word: inviolable

Key Russian Translations:

• неприкосновенный /nʲɪprʲɪkɐˈsʲvʲɛnnɨj/ - [Formal, often used in legal or ethical contexts]
• непоколебимый /nʲɪpɐkɐˈlʲɛbʲɪmɨj/ - [Formal, emphasizing unshakability or firmness]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, legal documents, and discussions on rights, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and formal vocabulary, though basic forms are accessible to upper-intermediate learners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неприкосновенный: /nʲɪprʲɪkɐˈsʲvʲɛnnɨj/

непоколебимый: /nʲɪpɐkɐˈlʲɛbʲɪmɨj/

Note on неприкосновенный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("sʲvʲɛnnɨj"), which can be tricky for learners due to the consonant clusters; pronounce it with a soft 'н' sound.

Note on непоколебимый: Stress is on the third syllable ("lʲɛbʲɪmɨj"); be mindful of the soft 'л' for accurate pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not able to be violated, infringed, or broken, often in a legal, moral, or physical sense (e.g., rights, sanctity, or integrity).

Translation(s) & Context:

• неприкосновенный - Typically used in contexts involving personal rights, privacy, or legal protections, such as human rights declarations.
• непоколебимый - Applied more to abstract concepts like resolve or stability, in philosophical or motivational contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В конституции закреплено право на личную неприкосновенность.

  In the constitution, the right to personal inviolability is enshrined.

• Эта традиция считается неприкосновенной и передается из поколения в поколение.

  This tradition is considered inviolable and is passed down from generation to generation.

• Его непоколебимая вера помогла ему преодолеть трудности.

  His inviolable faith helped him overcome difficulties.

• Правительство гарантирует неприкосновенность частной собственности.

  The government guarantees the inviolability of private property.

• В военных зонах границы становятся непоколебимыми барьерами.

  In war zones, borders become inviolable barriers.

Meaning 2: Sacred or untouchable in a metaphorical sense, implying something that must be respected or preserved.

Translation(s) & Context:

• неприкосновенный - Common in cultural or ethical discussions, emphasizing respect for traditions or spaces.
• непоколебимый - Used for enduring qualities, like principles or emotions, in literary or rhetorical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Для семьи неприкосновенность дома является основным принципом.

  For the family, the inviolability of the home is a fundamental principle.

• Ее непоколебимая решимость вдохновляет всех вокруг.

  Her inviolable determination inspires everyone around her.

• В музее экспонаты хранятся как неприкосновенные реликвии.

  In the museum, the exhibits are kept as inviolable relics.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. "Неприкосновенный" and "непоколебимый" follow standard first-declension adjective patterns with some irregularities in certain forms.

These adjectives do not change in short form but can be used predicatively. They are invariable in terms of aspect since they are not verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • непокорный (unyielding, with a connotation of resistance)
  • неприступный (inaccessible, often physical barriers)
• Antonyms:
  • нарушаемый (violable, easily broken)
  • поколебимый (shakable, unstable)

Note: "Непокорный" implies a defiant quality, which may not always align perfectly with "inviolable."

Related Phrases:

• личная неприкосновенность - Personal inviolability (refers to the right to privacy and bodily integrity in legal contexts)
• неприкосновенность границ - Inviolability of borders (used in international relations to denote territorial integrity)
• непоколебимая воля - Inviolable will (a phrase for unbreakable determination in motivational speeches)

Usage Notes:

"Inviolable" translates most directly to "неприкосновенный" in formal contexts like law or ethics, while "непоколебимый" is better for emotional or abstract stability. Always consider the context: use "неприкосновенный" for legal rights and "непоколебимый" for personal traits. In Russian, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key grammatical difference from English. For example, choose based on sentence structure to avoid awkward phrasing.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "неприкосновенный" interchangeably with "непоколебимый" without considering nuance. For instance, learners might say "неприкосновенный дом" for a physically secure house, but it's better as "неприступный дом" if emphasizing inaccessibility.

  Correct: Неприкосновенный дом (meaning legally protected). Explanation: "Неприкосновенный" implies legal or ethical protection, not just physical strength.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "неприкосновенный женщина" instead of "неприкосновенная женщина".

  Correct: Неприкосновенная женщина. Explanation: Adjectives in Russian must match the noun's gender (feminine here).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and legal systems, concepts like "неприкосновенность" (inviolability) are deeply tied to historical contexts, such as the Soviet-era emphasis on personal rights in the Constitution. This term often appears in discussions of human rights, reflecting Russia's complex history with privacy and state control, which can influence its usage in modern discourse.

Related Concepts:

• права человека
• территориальная целостность
• нравственные принципы