Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lateness'

English Word: lateness

Key Russian Translations:

• опоздание /ɐ.pɐzˈda.nʲe/ - [Informal, Common in everyday contexts]
• задержка /zə.dʲɪrˈʐka/ - [Formal, Often used in official or technical settings]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in conversations about time management and scheduling, but not as frequently as basic daily vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level according to CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions. For 'опоздание', it's B1; for 'задержка', it's also B1 due to similar grammatical features.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

опоздание: /ɐ.pɐzˈda.nʲe/

задержка: /zə.dʲɪrˈʐka/

Note on опоздание: The stress falls on the third syllable ("da"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to differences in Russian stress patterns. Pronunciation can vary slightly in fast speech.

Note on задержка: The initial "z" sound is soft and palatalized, similar to the "s" in "measure" in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The state of being late or delayed in time.

Translation(s) & Context:

• опоздание - Used in casual, everyday situations, such as arriving late to social events or appointments.
• задержка - Applied in more formal contexts, like delays in transportation, meetings, or official processes.

Usage Examples:

• Я извиняюсь за опоздание на урок.

  I apologize for the lateness to the class. (This example shows the word in a personal, informal apology.)

• Его опоздание вызвало раздражение у коллег.

  His lateness caused irritation among his colleagues. (Demonstrates use in a professional context with emotional impact.)

• Из-за опоздания поезда мы пропустили концерт.

  Because of the train's lateness, we missed the concert. (Illustrates the word in a cause-effect sentence involving transportation.)

• Постоянное опоздание может повлиять на твою репутацию.

  Constant lateness can affect your reputation. (Shows habitual use in advice or general statements.)

• В самолёте объявили задержку из-за погоды.

  They announced a lateness in the flight due to the weather. (Uses 'задержка' in a formal announcement context.)

Another meaning: Delay in a process or schedule.

Translation(s) & Context:

• задержка - Common in bureaucratic or technical discussions, emphasizing planned interruptions.

Usage Examples:

• Задержка в поставках товаров сказалась на бизнесе.

  The lateness in goods delivery affected the business. (Highlights economic or logistical contexts.)

• Из-за задержки сигнала мы не смогли дозвониться.

  Due to the signal's lateness, we couldn't get through. (Applies to technology or communication delays.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'опоздание' and 'задержка' are neuter nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard second-declension patterns. 'Опоздание' is a neuter noun ending in -ие, while 'задержка' ends in -ка. They exhibit regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table for 'опоздание' as an example; 'задержка' follows similar patterns.

For 'задержка': It is also neuter and regular, e.g., Nominative Singular: задержка; Genitive Singular: задержки. These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • задержка (as above, but more formal)
  • запоздалость (slight nuance: emphasizes habitual lateness)
• Antonyms:
  • пунктуальность (exact opposite: punctuality)

Related Phrases:

• Извините за опоздание - (Sorry for the lateness; Used as a polite apology in social or professional settings.)
• Причина задержки - (The reason for the delay; Common in explanations for lateness in travel or events.)
• Хроническое опоздание - (Chronic lateness; Refers to a habitual problem, often in personal development contexts.)

Usage Notes:

'Опоздание' is the most direct and idiomatic translation for 'lateness' in informal English contexts, while 'задержка' is preferred for more structured or official scenarios. English speakers should note that Russian nouns like these must agree in case, number, and gender with other words in the sentence. For example, choose 'опоздание' for everyday conversations but 'задержка' in business emails. Be mindful of cultural emphasis on punctuality in Russia, which might make these words more loaded in context.

• Grammar tip: Always decline the noun based on its role (e.g., use genitive for possession: "из-за опоздания").
• Selection guide: If 'lateness' implies personal fault, use 'опоздание'; for systemic delays, opt for 'задержка'.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse case endings, such as saying "извините за опоздания" incorrectly in singular contexts (should be "опоздание"). Correct: Use nominative for subjects and accusative for direct objects. Another error is confusing it with 'поздний' (late as an adjective), leading to phrases like "поздний прибытие" instead of "опоздание прибытия". Explanation: Russian requires precise noun forms; always check the context to avoid these mistakes.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, lateness is often viewed more leniently in informal settings, such as social gatherings, where arriving a few minutes late might not be a major issue. However, in professional or official contexts, punctuality is highly valued, and phrases like 'опоздание' can carry a sense of apology or consequence, reflecting historical influences from Soviet-era emphasis on schedules.

Related Concepts:

• пунктуальность
• время
• расписание