Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'machination'

English Word: machination

Key Russian Translations:

• Интрига [ɪnˈtrʲigə] - [Formal, often used in literary or political contexts]
• Коварство [kɐˈvarstvə] - [Formal, implies deceitful behavior]
• Заговор [zəgɐˈvor] - [Formal, specifically for conspiracy or plot]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, politics, and discussions of intrigue, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and nuanced vocabulary, with "интрига" being slightly easier and "коварство" potentially more challenging due to its connotations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Интрига: [ɪnˈtrʲigə]

Коварство: [kɐˈvarstvə]

Заговор: [zəgɐˈvor]

Note on Интрига: The stress is on the second syllable; the 'р' is rolled, which can be a challenge for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'г' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A scheme or plot involving deception

Translation(s) & Context:

• Интрига - Used in contexts involving political or social manipulation, such as in novels or historical discussions.
• Коварство - Applied when emphasizing treachery or cunning in personal relationships or strategies.
• Заговор - Specifically for organized plots, like conspiracies against authority.

Usage Examples:

• Его политическая интрига раскрыла коррупцию в правительстве. (His political machination exposed corruption in the government.)

  English Translation: His political intrigue uncovered corruption in the government.

• Коварство её плана заключалось в обмане доверчивых друзей. (The machination of her plan lay in deceiving trusting friends.)

  English Translation: The treachery of her scheme involved deceiving trusting friends.

• Заговор против царя был раскрыт шпионами. (The machination against the tsar was uncovered by spies.)

  English Translation: The conspiracy against the tsar was uncovered by spies.

• Интриги в бизнесе часто приводят к неожиданным альянсам. (Machinations in business often lead to unexpected alliances.)

  English Translation: Intrigues in business frequently result in unexpected alliances.

• Его коварство проявилось в мелких, но разрушительных действиях. (His machination showed in small but destructive actions.)

  English Translation: His cunning revealed itself in minor yet devastating deeds.

Secondary Meaning: Intricate or complex maneuvering

Translation(s) & Context:

• Интрига - In non-deceptive contexts, like complex strategies in games or puzzles.
• Заговор - Less common, but can imply elaborate planning in neutral scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Интрига шахматной партии заставила его задуматься. (The machination of the chess game made him think deeply.)

  English Translation: The intricacy of the chess game made him ponder.

• Заговор деталей в механизме обеспечил его точную работу. (The machination of details in the mechanism ensured its precise operation.)

  English Translation: The elaborate design of details in the mechanism guaranteed its accuracy.

• Коварство погоды внесло интригу в наше путешествие. (The machination of the weather added intrigue to our trip.)

  English Translation: The unpredictability of the weather brought complexity to our journey.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "Интрига" (feminine noun): It follows standard first-declension patterns with variations in cases and numbers.

For "Коварство" (neuter noun): It is invariable in most forms but follows second-declension patterns.

For "Заговор" (masculine noun): Regular third-declension with standard inflections, no irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Обман (obman) - Deception, but more straightforward.
  • Хитрость (khitrost') - Cunning, often with a lighter connotation.
  • Манёвр (man'ovr) - Maneuver, used in strategic contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • Честность (chestnost') - Honesty.
  • Прямолинейность (pryamolineynost') - Straightforwardness, especially in formal settings.

Related Phrases:

• Политическая интрига - Political intrigue; a common phrase in discussions of governance and power struggles.
• Коварные планы - Cunning plans; used to describe deceptive strategies in everyday or literary contexts.
• Заговор молчания - Conspiracy of silence; implies a collective agreement to withhold information, often in social or legal scenarios.

Usage Notes:

"Machination" translates most directly to "интрига" in contexts of scheming or plots, but choose "коварство" for emphasis on malice or "заговор" for organized conspiracies. These words are typically formal and appear in written Russian, such as literature or news articles, rather than casual speech. Be mindful of grammatical gender: "интрига" is feminine, affecting adjective agreements. When selecting among translations, consider the nuance—e.g., "интрига" might suit neutral intrigue, while "коварство" highlights negative intent.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "интрига" interchangeably with "заговор" without considering scale; "заговор" implies a group effort, while "интрига" can be individual. Correct: Specify context, e.g., "Его интрига" (his scheme) vs. "Их заговор" (their conspiracy). Explanation: This error can lead to confusion in describing events, as "заговор" requires plural subjects more often.
• Mistake: Overusing "коварство" in non-deceptive contexts; it carries a strong negative connotation. Correct: Opt for "интрига" for neutral complexity. Example: Incorrect: "Коварство игры" (for a fun game); Correct: "Интрига игры". Explanation: Learners might translate "machination" too literally, missing emotional undertones.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "интрига" and "заговор" often evoke historical events, such as the palace intrigues of the Russian tsars or Soviet-era conspiracies. They reflect a cultural emphasis on resilience against deception, as seen in literature by authors like Dostoevsky, where such themes explore human morality and power dynamics.

Related Concepts:

• Манипуляция (manipulyatsiya)
• Обман (obman)
• Хитрость (khitrost')