Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'limitation'

English Word: limitation

Key Russian Translations:

• Ограничение /ɐ.ɡrəˈnʲi.t͡ɕɪ.jə/ - [Formal, Singular]
• Лимит /ˈlʲi.mʲɪt/ - [Informal, Often used in business or technical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal writing, legal documents, and everyday discussions about restrictions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and abstract concepts, though basic forms are accessible to learners at this level. For 'Ограничение', it's B1; for 'Лимит', it's A2 due to its loanword nature.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Ограничение: /ɐ.ɡrəˈnʲi.t͡ɕɪ.jə/ (Stress on the third syllable. The 'г' is pronounced as a soft 'g' sound, similar to 'g' in 'gesture'.)

Note on Ограничение: This word has a rolling 'р' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Be mindful of the soft sign 'ь' before 'е', softening the preceding consonant.

Лимит: /ˈlʲi.mʲɪt/ (Stress on the first syllable. The 'л' is palatalized, making it sound softer, like 'ly' in 'million'.)

Note on Лимит: As a borrowed word from English/French, pronunciation is relatively straightforward, but ensure the final 'т' is crisp and not aspirated.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A restriction or boundary imposed on something.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Ограничение - Used in formal contexts like laws, rules, or personal boundaries, e.g., in discussions about time limits or resource constraints.
• Лимит - Applied in informal or technical settings, such as financial limits or quotas.

Usage Examples:

• Это ограничение на скорость движения помогает предотвратить аварии.

  This limitation on speed helps prevent accidents.

• В контракте указано ограничение по количеству часов работы.

  The contract specifies a limitation on the number of working hours.

• Мой лимит кредитной карты уже достиг предела.

  My credit card limitation has already reached its limit.

• Правительственные ограничения на импорт были введены для защиты местного рынка.

  Government limitations on imports were introduced to protect the local market.

Meaning 2: An inherent weakness or inability.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Ограничение - Used metaphorically in personal or psychological contexts, such as physical or mental limitations.

Usage Examples:

• Его физические ограничения не помешали ему добиться успеха в спорте.

  His physical limitations did not prevent him from succeeding in sports.

• Ограничения в знаниях могут быть преодолены с помощью обучения.

  Limitations in knowledge can be overcome through education.

• Эта технология имеет свои ограничения, но всё равно революционна.

  This technology has its limitations, but it is still revolutionary.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. 'Ограничение' is a neuter noun of the second declension, which follows regular patterns. 'Лимит' is often treated as an indeclinable noun in modern Russian due to its foreign origin, meaning it doesn't change in most cases.

For 'Ограничение' (neuter, singular):

For 'Лимит': It is typically indeclinable, so it remains 'Лимит' in all cases (e.g., в лимит, о лимит). This makes it easier for learners but less flexible in sentence structure.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Ограничение: Преграда (barrier) - More physical connotation.
  • Лимит: Квота (quota) - Used in allocation contexts; subtly implies a set amount.
• Antonyms:
  • Безграничность (boundlessness) - Implies no limits at all.
  • Свобода (freedom) - Often contrasts with restrictions in philosophical discussions.

Related Phrases:

• Без ограничений - Without limitations (e.g., in contexts of unlimited access or freedom).
• Преодолеть ограничения - To overcome limitations (common in motivational or self-improvement phrases).
• Установить лимит - To set a limit (used in financial or regulatory scenarios; implies establishing a boundary).

Usage Notes:

'Ограничение' is the most precise translation for 'limitation' in formal English-Russian correspondence, especially in legal or abstract contexts, as it captures the idea of a imposed boundary. 'Лимит' is better for quantitative limits, like in finance, and is often borrowed directly from English. Choose based on context: use 'Ограничение' for broader, non-numerical restrictions and 'Лимит' for specific caps. Grammatically, always consider Russian case endings for 'Ограничение' to ensure agreement. In spoken Russian, these words are neutral but can carry a negative connotation in everyday use.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'Ограничение' without proper declension, e.g., saying "в ограничение" instead of "в ограничении". Correct: The prepositional case requires "в ограничении". Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, which English speakers often overlook, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing 'Лимит' with 'Лимитировать' (to limit as a verb). Correct: For the noun, stick to 'Лимит'; use 'ограничивать' for verbal forms. Explanation: This mix-up can alter the sentence meaning, as 'Лимитировать' is less common and more formal.

• Error: Overusing 'Ограничение' in informal speech. Correct: Opt for 'Лимит' or simpler synonyms in casual contexts to sound natural. Explanation: In Russian, formality matters; sticking to complex words can make speech sound stilted.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'ограничение' often tie into historical contexts, such as the restrictions during the Soviet era on personal freedoms or resource allocation. This can add a layer of sensitivity when discussing limitations, as it may evoke memories of censorship or economic controls, making the word not just practical but emotionally charged in conversations about society.

Related Concepts:

• Контроль (control)
• Ограниченность (limitedness)
• Барьер (barrier)