Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'law'

English Word: law

Key Russian Translations:

• закон [ˈzakən] - [Formal, used in legal, scientific, and everyday contexts]
• право [ˈprava] - [Formal, specifically for legal systems or rights, often in broader philosophical contexts]

Frequency: High (This word is commonly used in everyday language, media, and official documents in Russian-speaking regions.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR standards; learners at this level can understand and use basic forms, but nuances in legal contexts may require B2 for full mastery. For "право", it might be B2 due to its abstract nature.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

закон: [ˈzakən]

право: [ˈprava]

Note on закон: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the soft "k" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalization.

Note on право: Pronounced with a soft "r" and emphasis on the first syllable; variations may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A system of rules created and enforced by authorities (e.g., legal law)

Translation(s) & Context:

• закон - Used in formal legal, governmental, or everyday contexts to refer to statutes or regulations.
• право - Applied in broader contexts like human rights or legal principles, often in academic or philosophical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В России закон требует соблюдения правил дорожного движения.

  In Russia, the law requires adherence to traffic rules.

• Этот закон был принят парламентом для защиты прав граждан.

  This law was passed by the parliament to protect citizens' rights.

• Право на образование гарантировано конституцией.

  The right to education is guaranteed by the constitution.

• Нарушение закона может привести к штрафу или аресту.

  Breaking the law can lead to a fine or arrest.

• Международное право регулирует отношения между странами.

  International law governs relations between countries.

2. A scientific principle or natural rule (e.g., law of gravity)

Translation(s) & Context:

• закон - Common in scientific or educational contexts, such as physics or biology.

Usage Examples:

• Закон Ньютона описывает движение тел.

  Newton's law describes the motion of bodies.

• В физике закон сохранения энергии является фундаментальным.

  In physics, the law of conservation of energy is fundamental.

• Этот закон природы объясняет, почему вода закипает при 100 градусах.

  This law of nature explains why water boils at 100 degrees.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "закон" (a masculine noun, 2nd declension), it follows standard Russian noun inflections. It is not irregular but changes based on case and number. Below is a declension table:

For "право" (a neuter noun, often used in singular for abstract concepts), it is less inflected and can be invariant in some contexts, but standard declension includes: Nominative: право; Genitive: права; Dative: праву; etc. It does not change in plural as frequently in legal contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • правила (rules, more general and often used interchangeably in everyday speech, but less formal than закон)
  • норма (norm, emphasizing standards in social or ethical contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • хаос (chaos, implying disorder opposite to structured law)
  • нарушение (violation, as the opposite action to upholding the law)

Related Phrases:

• по закону - According to the law (used in legal justifications or explanations).
• закон и порядок - Law and order (a common phrase in discussions of governance and society).
• нарушить закон - To break the law (implies criminal or civil infractions).
• право голоса - Right to vote (specifically in democratic or political contexts).

Usage Notes:

"Закон" directly corresponds to "law" in legal and scientific senses but is more formal in Russian; avoid using it in casual conversations where "правила" might suffice. "Право" aligns with "law" when referring to rights or jurisprudence, but it's broader and often implies entitlements. In Russian, word choice depends on context: use "закон" for specific statutes and "право" for abstract concepts. Be mindful of grammatical gender and case agreements, as Russian requires adjectives and verbs to match. For English learners, start with "закон" in basic sentences before exploring inflections.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "закон" with "право": English learners often use "закон" when "право" is more appropriate for rights-based contexts. Incorrect: "Я имею закон на образование" (Wrong: implies a specific law). Correct: "Я имею право на образование" (Right: refers to an entitlement). Explanation: "Закон" is about rules, while "право" is about rights.
• Ignoring case inflections: For example, saying "без закон" instead of "без закона" in genitive contexts. Incorrect: "без закон". Correct: "без закона". Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, so always check the required form based on the sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "закон" often carries a strong connotation of state authority, influenced by historical contexts like the Soviet era, where laws were centralized. "Право" reflects ongoing discussions on human rights, especially post-Soviet reforms, emphasizing individual freedoms in a society that values collective order over personal liberties in some aspects.

Related Concepts:

• конституция (constitution)
• юстиция (justice)
• суд (court)