Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'liable'

English Word: liable

Key Russian Translations:

• Ответственный /ɐtˈvʲɛtstvennɨj/ - [Formal, used in legal or professional contexts]
• Подверженный /pɐdvʲɪrˈʐɛnːɨj/ - [Informal, used to indicate likelihood or vulnerability]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in formal writing, legal documents, and everyday discussions, but not as commonly as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and context-specific usage, based on CEFR standards. For 'Ответственный', it may be slightly easier at A2 due to its straightforward legal connotation, while 'Подверженный' could reach B2 for its nuanced implications.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Ответственный: /ɐtˈvʲɛtstvennɨj/

Note on Ответственный: The stress falls on the third syllable ('vʲɛt'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 't' sound. Practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Подверженный: /pɐdvʲɪrˈʐɛnːɨj/

Note on Подверженный: The 'ʐ' sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, similar to the 'zh' in 'measure', but more emphatic. Variations may occur in regional dialects, such as softening in Southern Russian accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Responsible or accountable for something (often in legal or professional contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Ответственный - Used in formal settings, such as contracts or official reports, to denote legal obligation or duty.

Usage Examples:

• Он ответственен за любые убытки, вызванные его действиями.

  He is liable for any damages caused by his actions.

• Компания ответственна за соблюдение экологических норм.

  The company is liable for complying with environmental standards.

• Родители ответственны за поведение своих детей в школе.

  Parents are liable for their children's behavior at school.

• Если вы ответственны за проект, то должны отчитаться о результатах.

  If you are liable for the project, you must report on the results.

• Суд признал его ответственным за нарушение контракта.

  The court held him liable for breaching the contract.

Meaning 2: Likely to experience or suffer something unpleasant

Translation(s) & Context:

• Подверженный - Applied in informal or descriptive contexts to indicate vulnerability or probability, such as in health or environmental discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Этот район подвержен частым наводнениям из-за близости реки.

  This area is liable to frequent floods due to its proximity to the river.

• Дети подвержены простудным заболеваниям в холодное время года.

  Children are liable to catch colds during the cold season.

• Автомобили в этом климате подвержены быстрому износу.

  Cars in this climate are liable to wear out quickly.

• Люди с ослабленным иммунитетом подвержены инфекциям.

  People with weakened immunity are liable to infections.

• Здания в сейсмически активных зонах подвержены разрушению.

  Buildings in seismically active zones are liable to destruction.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'Ответственный' and 'Подверженный' are Russian adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a regular pattern of agreement with the nouns they modify, making them variable. Below is a table outlining key inflections for each:

These adjectives follow standard first-declension patterns, with no irregularities. Always ensure agreement with the noun's gender, number, and case for grammatical correctness.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for Ответственный: Обязанный (more legal-focused), Ответственный can also relate to Уважительный (respectful, with subtle differences in connotation of duty vs. reliability).
• Synonyms for Подверженный: Склонный (inclined), Восприимчивый (susceptible, emphasizing vulnerability).
• Antonyms: Неотвественный (irresponsible), Не подверженный (not liable or immune).

Related Phrases:

• Быть ответственным за - Meaning: To be liable for; Used in contexts of accountability, e.g., in business or law.
• Подвержен риску - Meaning: Liable to risk; Common in discussions about health or investments.
• Ответственный подход - Meaning: Responsible approach; Refers to a methodical and accountable method in professional settings.

Usage Notes:

'Ответственный' best matches the legal or ethical sense of 'liable' in English, emphasizing obligation, while 'Подверженный' aligns with the probabilistic sense (e.g., 'liable to happen'). Be cautious with context: in formal Russian, 'Ответственный' is preferred in official documents, whereas 'Подверженный' suits everyday or scientific language. Grammatically, always inflect these adjectives to agree with the noun they describe. When choosing between translations, opt for 'Ответственный' in legal scenarios and 'Подверженный' for vulnerability discussions to ensure precision.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'Ответственный' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "Она ответственный" instead of "Она ответственная" (for feminine nouns). Correct: Always match gender, number, and case. Explanation: Russian requires strict adjective-noun agreement, unlike English, which can lead to confusion for learners.
• Mistake: Confusing 'Подверженный' with 'Склонный' and using it interchangeably without context, e.g., "Он подвержен лени" when 'Склонный' might be more natural. Correct: 'Подверженный' implies external vulnerability, while 'Склонный' suggests internal tendency. Explanation: This error stems from overlapping meanings, so consider the cause (external vs. internal) before selection.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'Ответственный' carry a strong emphasis on collective responsibility, often rooted in historical contexts such as Soviet-era accountability in workplaces. This can imply not just personal liability but also societal expectations, contrasting with more individualistic interpretations in English-speaking cultures.

Related Concepts:

• Обязанность (obligation)
• Риск (risk)
• Уязвимость (vulnerability)