Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'jeopardize'

English Word: jeopardize

Key Russian Translations:

• угрожать [uɡrɐˈʐatʲ] - [Formal, commonly used in written and official contexts]
• подвергать опасности [pɐdˈvʲerɡətʲ ɐpɐˈsnɔstʲi] - [Informal, versatile for everyday speech and descriptive narratives]

Frequency: Medium (The verb is encountered in news, literature, and discussions, but not as common as basic daily vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and abstract concepts. For 'угрожать', it's B2; for 'подвергать опасности', it may lean towards B1 due to its compound structure.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

угрожать: [uɡrɐˈʐatʲ]

подвергать опасности: [pɐdˈvʲerɡətʲ ɐpɐˈsnɔstʲi]

Note on подвергать опасности: The stress falls on the second syllable of 'подвергать' [pɐdˈvʲerɡətʲ], which can be tricky for learners due to the soft consonants; pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To expose something to danger or risk (primary meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• угрожать - Used in contexts involving threats or potential harm, such as in legal, environmental, or personal safety discussions (e.g., in formal reports or warnings).
• подвергать опасности - Applied in more descriptive scenarios, like everyday risks or hypothetical situations (e.g., in casual conversations about health or finances).

Usage Examples:

• Эта сделка может угрожать нашей финансовой стабильности. (This deal could jeopardize our financial stability.)

  Translation: This deal could threaten our financial stability.

• Его действия подвергают опасности всю команду. (His actions jeopardize the entire team.)

  Translation: His actions put the entire team at risk.

• Климатические изменения угрожают выживанию многих видов. (Climate change could jeopardize the survival of many species.)

  Translation: Climate change threatens the survival of many species.

• Решение поднять цены подвергает опасности нашу репутацию на рынке. (The decision to raise prices could jeopardize our market reputation.)

  Translation: The decision to raise prices puts our market reputation at risk.

• Небрежное обращение с данными угрожает конфиденциальности пользователей. (Careless handling of data could jeopardize user privacy.)

  Translation: Careless handling of data threatens user privacy.

To potentially harm or undermine something indirectly (secondary meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• угрожать - In indirect contexts, such as relationships or plans being at risk (e.g., in emotional or strategic discussions).
• подвергать опасности - For long-term or subtle risks (e.g., in health or environmental contexts).

Usage Examples:

• Его слова угрожают нашему дружескому отношению. (His words could jeopardize our friendly relationship.)

  Translation: His words threaten our friendly relationship.

• Задержка проекта подвергает опасности сроки сдачи. (The project delay could jeopardize the deadlines.)

  Translation: The project delay puts the deadlines at risk.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'угрожать' (a verb of the first conjugation), it follows standard Russian verb patterns with regular inflections. It is intransitive and can be conjugated based on tense, aspect, and person. 'Подвергать опасности' is a phrase where 'подвергать' is the main verb (also first conjugation) and 'опасности' is in the dative case.

Note: These verbs do not have irregular forms in most tenses, but aspect (imperfective/perfective) should be considered; e.g., the perfective form of 'угрожать' is 'угрожать' in some contexts, but often paired with particles for completion.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • угрожать безопасности (implies a specific threat to security; often used in formal contexts)
  • рисковать (more general, emphasizing risk-taking)
• Antonyms:
  • защищать (to protect; directly opposes the idea of endangering)
  • обеспечивать безопасность (to ensure safety; used in preventive contexts)

Related Phrases:

• Ставить под угрозу мир - (To jeopardize peace; commonly used in geopolitical or conflict discussions.)
• Угрожать жизни - (To threaten life; refers to situations endangering personal safety.)
• Подвергать риску здоровье - (To put health at risk; often in medical or lifestyle contexts.)

Usage Notes:

'Угрожать' is a more direct translation for 'jeopardize' in formal or threatening contexts, while 'подвергать опасности' is better for emphasizing exposure to risk. In Russian, these verbs often require an object in the dative case, so ensure proper case agreement (e.g., 'угрожать кому-то'). Choose based on context: use 'угрожать' for immediate threats and 'подвергать опасности' for ongoing risks. Avoid direct word-for-word translation; adapt to Russian sentence structures for naturalness.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'угрожать' incorrectly with direct objects (e.g., saying 'угрожать дом' instead of 'угрожать дому'). Correct: 'угрожать' typically takes a dative object, so use 'угрожать дому' (to threaten the house). Explanation: This confuses case requirements, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Overusing 'подвергать опасности' in simple contexts (e.g., translating 'jeopardize a plan' as 'подвергать опасности план' without proper inflection). Correct: Ensure the object is in the dative: 'подвергать опасности плану'. Explanation: Learners often forget case changes, which alters the meaning or makes the sentence unidiomatic.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'угрожать' often carry a strong connotation of real-world threats, such as in historical contexts of war or political instability. For instance, during the Soviet era, phrases involving 'угрожать' were common in propaganda, emphasizing external dangers, which can add a layer of intensity when used in modern discussions.

Related Concepts:

• риск (risk)
• опасность (danger)
• угроза (threat)