Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'misdeed'

English Word: misdeed

Key Russian Translations:

• проступок /prɐˈstupək/ - [Formal, used for minor wrongdoings]
• преступление /prʲɪˈstupʲlʲenʲje/ - [Formal, used for more serious offenses]

Frequency: Medium - These words appear regularly in legal, ethical, and everyday discussions in Russian media and literature.

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2) - Involves understanding abstract moral concepts; 'проступок' is B1, while 'преступление' may reach B2 due to legal connotations.

Pronunciation (Russian):

проступок: /prɐˈstupək/

Note on проступок: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the rolled 'r' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

преступление: /prʲɪˈstupʲlʲenʲje/

Note on преступление: This word has palatalized consonants (e.g., 'пʲ' and 'лʲ'), which soften the preceding sounds; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: An act that is wrong, immoral, or unlawful, often with negative consequences

Translation(s) & Context:

• проступок - Used in everyday or formal contexts for minor ethical lapses, such as in educational or personal settings.
• преступление - Applied in legal or serious contexts for crimes or major violations of law.

Usage Examples:

• Он совершил проступок, украв мелкую вещь из магазина.

  He committed a misdeed by stealing a small item from the store.

• Её проступок повлиял на всю семью, но она извинилась.

  Her misdeed affected the whole family, but she apologized.

• Преступление, которое он совершил, привело к тюремному сроку.

  The misdeed he committed led to a prison sentence.

• В детстве все совершают проступки, но важно учиться на ошибках.

  In childhood, everyone commits misdeeds, but it's important to learn from mistakes.

• Его проступок на работе был незначительным, но всё равно потребовал объяснений.

  His misdeed at work was minor but still required an explanation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'проступок' (a masculine noun) and 'преступление' (a neuter noun) follow standard Russian inflection patterns. 'Проступок' declines by case and number, while 'Преступление' has its own declensions. Below is a table for 'проступок' as an example; 'преступление' follows similar patterns but with neuter endings.

For 'преступление', it is invariable in some forms but declines as: Nominative singular - преступление; Genitive singular - преступления. These are regular patterns, but always check context for accuracy.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • нарушение (violation) - Similar to 'проступок' but often implies breaking rules.
  • плохой поступок (bad action) - More general and informal synonym.
• Antonyms:
  • доброе дело (good deed) - Directly opposite, implying positive actions.
  • заслуга (merit) - Used for commendable acts.

Related Phrases:

• совершить проступок - To commit a misdeed; used in narratives to describe wrongful actions.
• преступление против общества - Crime against society; refers to misdeeds affecting the community.
• извиниться за проступок - To apologize for a misdeed; common in interpersonal contexts.

Usage Notes:

Use 'проступок' for everyday, less severe misdeeds, as it aligns closely with the English 'misdeed' in moral or ethical contexts. 'Преступление' is better for legal scenarios, equivalent to 'crime'. Be mindful of formality: both are neutral to formal, but avoid in casual speech. Grammatically, these nouns require appropriate case agreement with verbs or prepositions, e.g., 'совершить' (to commit) takes accusative case.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'проступок' with 'преступление': English learners might overuse 'преступление' for any wrongdoing, making it sound too severe. Correct: Use 'проступок' for minor issues, e.g., Incorrect: "Он сделал преступление" (for a small lie); Correct: "Он сделал проступок".
• Misapplying cases: Forgetting to decline properly, e.g., Incorrect: "Извини за проступок" (should be genitive: "за проступок"); Correct: Ensure genitive in such phrases.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, misdeeds like 'проступок' are often tied to moral education and literature, such as in Dostoevsky's works, where characters reflect on their wrongs as part of personal redemption. This reflects a cultural emphasis on introspection and collective responsibility, differing from more individualistic Western views.

Related Concepts:

• грех (sin)
• нарушение закона (violation of law)
• поступок (action or deed)