Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lawful'

English Word: lawful

Key Russian Translations:

• законный [ˈzakɐnːɨj] - [Formal, Legal or official contexts]
• легальный [lʲɪˈɡalʲnɨj] - [Formal, Often in international or modern legal contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in legal, governmental, and formal discussions, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and legal vocabulary; 'законный' may be slightly easier for beginners, while 'легальный' could be B2 due to its borrowed roots)

Pronunciation (Russian):

законный: [ˈzakɐnːɨj]

легальный: [lʲɪˈɡalʲnɨj]

Note on законный: The stress is on the first syllable; be cautious with the soft 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers due to its palatalization.

Note on легальный: Pronounce the 'л' softly as in 'leaf'; the word has a foreign feel due to its Latin origin, but follow standard Russian stress rules.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Conforming to the law or legally valid

Translation(s) & Context:

• законный - Used in formal contexts, such as describing actions or entities that adhere to national laws or regulations.
• легальный - Applied in contexts involving international standards, contracts, or modern legal interpretations, often interchangeable but with a nuance toward legality in a broader sense.

Usage Examples:

• Этот договор является законным документом в соответствии с российским законодательством.

  This contract is a lawful document in accordance with Russian legislation.

• Легальный бизнес должен соблюдать все налоговые правила.

  A lawful business must comply with all tax regulations.

• Законный наследник имеет право на имущество после смерти владельца.

  The lawful heir has the right to the property after the owner's death.

• В этой стране легальный ввоз товаров строго регулируется.

  The lawful import of goods is strictly regulated in this country.

• Законный брак признается государством только при наличии официальной регистрации.

  A lawful marriage is recognized by the state only with official registration.

Meaning: Morally or ethically permissible (less common extension)

Translation(s) & Context:

• законный - Rarely used in ethical contexts, but can imply moral legality in formal writing.
• легальный - Not typically used for moral aspects; stick to 'законный' if extending to ethics.

Usage Examples:

• Законный способ заработка денег всегда предпочтительнее сомнительных схем.

  A lawful way of earning money is always preferable to dubious schemes.

• В этических дебатах законный подход подразумевает соблюдение норм.

  In ethical debates, a lawful approach implies adherence to norms.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'законный' and 'легальный' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow standard patterns, but 'законный' is a regular adjective, while 'легальный' (a borrowed word) may feel more straightforward due to its commonality.

Note: These adjectives agree with the nouns they modify. For feminine or neuter nouns, forms change accordingly (e.g., законная for feminine singular). Both are regular, so no irregularities to note.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • правомерный (more focused on being rightful or justified)
  • законопослушный (emphasizing obedience to the law)
• Antonyms:
  • незаконный (illegal or unlawful)
  • противозаконный (contrary to the law)

Related Phrases:

• законный брак - A lawful marriage; refers to a legally recognized union.
• легальный статус - Lawful status; used for immigration or legal residency contexts.
• законный интерес - Lawful interest; implies a legitimate claim or concern in legal matters.

Usage Notes:

In English, 'lawful' often aligns closely with 'законный' in Russian, especially for domestic or traditional legal contexts, while 'легальный' is better for international or borrowed legal terms. Use 'законный' in formal Russian documents or when emphasizing national laws, and opt for 'легальный' in modern, globalized scenarios. Be mindful of gender and case agreement in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match their nouns. For example, if the context involves multiple items, use the plural form. When choosing between translations, consider the audience: 'законный' is more culturally rooted in Russian legal traditions.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'законный' interchangeably with 'легальный' without context. For instance, English learners might say "легальный действие" instead of "законное действие" in a purely domestic context.
  Correct: законное действие (lawful action). Explanation: 'Легальный' implies broader legality, often international, so it might not fit local laws.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., saying "законный дом" when the noun requires genitive case.
  Correct: дома законного (of a lawful house). Explanation: Russian requires agreement in case, which English speakers often overlook due to English's simpler adjective system.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and legal systems, terms like 'законный' often reflect the influence of Soviet-era legislation, where state recognition was paramount. For example, 'законный брак' historically emphasized official registration under government control, highlighting the role of the state in personal affairs, which differs from more individualistic Western approaches.

Related Concepts:

• правовой
• юридический
• законодательный