Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'malfunction'

English Word: malfunction

Key Russian Translations:

• неисправность [nʲɪˈisprəvnəsʲtʲ] - [Noun, Formal, Used in technical or everyday contexts for device failures]
• сбоить [sbɐˈitʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used to describe something failing to operate correctly]

Frequency: Medium (Common in technical discussions, everyday conversations about electronics, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of noun and verb inflections; for 'неисправность' as a noun, it's B1; for 'сбоить' as a verb, it's also B1 due to aspectual variations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неисправность: [nʲɪˈisprəvnəsʲtʲ]

Note on неисправность: The stress falls on the third syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'н' sound, which is common in Russian nouns.

сбоить: [sbɐˈitʲ]

Note on сбоить: This verb has a soft 'т' sound; pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech, where the 'й' glide becomes more prominent.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: As a noun, referring to a breakdown or failure in a machine or system.

Translation(s) & Context:

• неисправность - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as describing mechanical issues in engineering or daily life.

Usage Examples:

• В компьютере произошла неисправность, из-за которой он перестал работать.

  In the computer, a malfunction occurred, causing it to stop working.

• Из-за неисправности в системе безопасности дверь не открывается.

  Due to a malfunction in the security system, the door won't open.

• Автомобильная неисправность вынудила нас остановиться на обочине.

  The car malfunction forced us to pull over to the side of the road.

• Неисправность электроники в смартфоне привела к потере данных.

  The malfunction in the smartphone's electronics led to data loss.

Meaning 2: As a verb, meaning to fail to function normally.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сбоить - Often used in informal contexts to describe temporary glitches or ongoing failures in devices or systems.

Usage Examples:

• Компьютер начал сбоить после обновления программного обеспечения.

  The computer started malfunctioning after the software update.

• Система отопления сбоит зимой из-за старых труб.

  The heating system malfunctions in winter due to old pipes.

• Телефон сбоит, когда сеть перегружена.

  The phone malfunctions when the network is overloaded.

• Двигатель машины сбоит на холостом ходу.

  The car's engine malfunctions at idle speed.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'неисправность' (feminine noun, 3rd declension):

This noun follows standard feminine noun patterns with inflections for case and number. It is invariable in plural forms in some contexts but commonly used in singular.

For 'сбоить' (imperfective verb, 2nd conjugation):

This verb is imperfective and follows standard conjugation patterns. It has aspectual pairs like 'сбоить' (imperfective) and 'сбоить' can pair with perfective forms like 'сломаться' in some contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • неисправность - поломка (polomka; more casual, implies physical breakage)
  • сбоить - ломаться (lomatsya; perfective aspect, for sudden failure)
• Antonyms:
  • Для неисправность: исправность (ispravnost'; meaning proper functioning)
  • Для сбоить: работать (rabotat'; meaning to work properly)

Related Phrases:

• Техническая неисправность - A technical malfunction; used in engineering or IT contexts.
• Система начала сбоить - The system started malfunctioning; common in troubleshooting scenarios.
• Из-за сбоя в работе - Due to a malfunction in operation; implies a temporary glitch.

Usage Notes:

'Неисправность' directly corresponds to the noun form of 'malfunction' and is preferred in formal writing or technical reports, while 'сбоить' aligns with the verb form and is more dynamic for describing ongoing issues. In Russian, always consider the aspect: use imperfective 'сбоить' for habitual failures. Be mindful of context—'неисправность' is neutral but can imply permanence, whereas 'сбоить' suggests intermittence. When choosing between translations, opt for 'неисправность' in static descriptions and 'сбоить' in narratives.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'неисправность' with 'сбой' (sboy), thinking they are identical; error: "Компьютер имеет сбой" (incorrect for a general malfunction); correct: "Компьютер имеет неисправность" – Explanation: 'Сбой' refers to a specific glitch, not a broader failure.
• Mixing aspects: Saying "сбоить" when a perfective verb like "сломаться" is needed; error: "Машина сбоить вчера" (incorrect tense); correct: "Машина сломалась вчера" – Explanation: Use perfective for completed actions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'неисправность' are prevalent in everyday life due to the historical emphasis on engineering and machinery in the Soviet era. Discussions of malfunctions often reflect a pragmatic, fix-it-yourself attitude, as seen in popular media and proverbs about resilience against technical failures.

Related Concepts:

• поломка (polomka; breakdown)
• ремонт (remont; repair)
• техника (tekhnika; technology)