Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'legal'

English Word: legal

Key Russian Translations:

• законный (/zəˈkon.nɨj/) - [Formal]
• юридический (/jʊ.rʲɪˈdʲi.t͡ɕɪ.skʲɪj/) - [Formal, Often used in legal contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly encountered in legal, business, and everyday discussions about rights and regulations)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and formal vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

законный: /zəˈkon.nɨj/

Note on законный: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in informal speech may soften the ending.

юридический: /jʊ.rʲɪˈdʲi.t͡ɕɪ.skʲɪj/

Note on юридический: This word has a complex consonant cluster; practice the palatalized 'р' and 'д' for accurate pronunciation.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Pertaining to law or legality (e.g., conforming to the law)

Translation(s) & Context:

• законный - Used in formal contexts to describe something that is lawful or legitimate, such as legal rights or contracts.
• юридический - Applied in professional settings for matters related to the legal system, like legal documents or advice.

Usage Examples:

• Этот договор является законным и полностью соответствует федеральным законам.

  This contract is legal and fully complies with federal laws.

• В юридической практике важно учитывать все аспекты международного права.

  In legal practice, it's important to consider all aspects of international law.

• Законный наследник имеет право на имущество покойного.

  The legal heir has the right to the deceased's property.

• Юридический советник помог нам разрешить спор amicably.

  The legal advisor helped us resolve the dispute amicably.

• Без законного документа вы не сможете въехать в страну.

  Without a legal document, you won't be able to enter the country.

Meaning 2: Related to the field of law (e.g., legal studies or professionals)

Translation(s) & Context:

• юридический - Commonly used for academic or professional contexts, such as legal education or departments.
• законный - Less common here, but can imply legitimacy in legal professions.

Usage Examples:

• Он окончил юридический факультет и теперь работает адвокатом.

  He graduated from the legal faculty and now works as a lawyer.

• Юридический термин 'иск' означает подачу жалобы в суд.

  The legal term 'claim' refers to filing a complaint in court.

• Законный представитель компании должен подписать договор.

  The legal representative of the company must sign the contract.

• В юридической литературе часто обсуждаются реформы правовой системы.

  Legal literature often discusses reforms of the legal system.

• Получение юридического образования открывает двери в многие профессии.

  Obtaining a legal education opens doors to many professions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "законный" and "юридический" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify.

For "законный" (irregular in some forms due to its root):

For "юридический" (regular adjective inflection):

These adjectives do not change in short form but must agree with the noun in all attributes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • законодательный (legislative; more specific to laws and legislation)
  • правовой (legal; broader, often interchangeable with юридический in contexts of rights)
• Antonyms:
  • незаконный (illegal; directly opposite to законный)
  • неправовой (unlawful; opposite in a more abstract sense)

Related Phrases:

• законный брак - Legal marriage (Refers to a formally recognized union under the law)
• юридическая ответственность - Legal responsibility (Implies accountability under legal statutes)
• законный интерес - Legitimate interest (Used in contexts like property or business rights)

Usage Notes:

"Законный" is often preferred for everyday legal concepts, while "юридический" is more academic or professional. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, unlike in English. For example, use "законный" for masculine nouns and "законная" for feminine ones. When choosing between translations, opt for "юридический" in formal documents and "законный" in discussions of compliance.

Common Errors:

• Using "законный" without proper inflection: Incorrect - "законный дом" (if the noun requires a different case); Correct - "законного дома" in genitive case. Explanation: Russian requires adjective-noun agreement, so always adjust the ending based on context.
• Confusing with synonyms: Learners might misuse "правовой" for "законный"; Correct usage: "Правовой" is broader, while "законный" specifically means lawful. Explanation: This can lead to imprecise meaning in legal discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "законный" often tie into historical legal traditions from the Soviet era, where state laws heavily influenced personal and business matters. Terms like "юридический" reflect the importance of formal education in law, as Russia has a strong tradition of legal academia dating back to imperial times.

Related Concepts:

• судебный (judicial)
• конституционный (constitutional)
• гражданский (civil, as in civil law)