Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'misgiving'

English Word: misgiving

Key Russian Translations:

• сомнение /sɐmˈnʲenʲje/ - [Formal]
• опасение /ɐpɐˈsenʲje/ - [Informal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in discussions, literature, and everyday conversations about doubts, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and abstract concepts, suitable for learners with basic Russian grammar knowledge).

Pronunciation (Russian):

сомнение: /sɐmˈnʲenʲje/

опасение: /ɐpɐˈsenʲje/

Note on сомнение: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'нʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Note on опасение: Stress on the third syllable; the 'п' is unaspirated, differing from English 'p' sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A feeling of doubt, apprehension, or unease about something.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сомнение - Used in formal contexts, such as philosophical discussions or decision-making, to express intellectual doubt.
• опасение - Applied in informal or everyday situations to convey emotional worry or fear of potential outcomes.

Usage Examples:

• У меня есть сомнение относительно этого плана. (U menya yest' somneniye otnositel'no etogo plana.)

  I have a misgiving about this plan. (This example shows the word in a formal context, discussing uncertainty in decision-making.)

• Его опасение перед полётом было оправдано. (Yego opaseniye pered polyotom bylo opravdano.)

  His misgiving about the flight was justified. (Here, it illustrates an informal emotional response to a potential risk.)

• Несмотря на сомнения, она решила продолжить. (Nesmotrya na somneniya, ona reshila prodolzhit'.)

  Despite her misgivings, she decided to continue. (This demonstrates the word in a narrative context, showing internal conflict.)

• Мои опасения о встрече с ним подтвердились. (Moi opaseniya o vstreche s nim podtverdilis'.)

  My misgivings about meeting him were confirmed. (Example in an interpersonal scenario, highlighting worry in relationships.)

• Это сомнение не дает мне покоя. (Eto somneniye ne dayot mne pokoya.)

  This misgiving doesn't give me peace. (Shows the word in an introspective, psychological context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are neuter nouns in Russian. "Сомнение" and "опасение" follow standard neuter noun declension patterns, which are relatively regular but require attention to case endings. Neuter nouns in Russian typically end in -е or -о and change based on grammatical case and number.

For "опасение", the declension is identical in structure. These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • недоверие (nedoverie) - Slight nuance: more about distrust than general doubt.
  • беспокойство (bespokoystvo) - Often used in contexts implying anxiety, which can overlap with misgiving in emotional scenarios.
• Antonyms:
  • уверенность (uverenost') - Conveys confidence or certainty.
  • спокойствие (spokoystvo) - Implies peace of mind, directly opposing apprehension.

Related Phrases:

• Иметь сомнение (Imet' somneniye) - To have a doubt; used in formal discussions to express uncertainty.
• Преодолеть опасение (Preodolet' opaseniye) - To overcome a misgiving; common in motivational or self-improvement contexts.
• Сомнение в успехе (Somneniye v uspekhe) - Doubt about success; a phrase often seen in business or personal development scenarios.

Usage Notes:

"Misgiving" translates most accurately to "сомнение" in formal settings, where it aligns with intellectual doubt, while "опасение" is better for emotional or informal contexts. In Russian, these words must agree with case, number, and gender in sentences, so always check the grammatical context. For example, choose "сомнение" over "опасение" when discussing abstract ideas, but use "опасение" for personal fears. Beginners might confuse these with stronger terms like "страх" (fear), so focus on subtle differences in intensity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "сомнение" in plural form incorrectly, e.g., saying "сомнениями" when a singular form is needed. Correct: Ensure the noun matches the sentence's case, as in "У меня сомнение" instead of "У меня сомнениями". This mistake often stems from overgeneralizing English plural rules.

• Error: Confusing "сомнение" with "сомнение" as a verb form; it's a noun, not to be mistaken for "сомневаться" (to doubt). Correct example: "Моё сомнение велико" (My misgiving is great) vs. Incorrect: "Я сомнение" (I doubt – wrong form). Explanation: Russian requires precise part-of-speech awareness to avoid such errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions of "misgiving" like "сомнение" often appear in literature, such as in the works of Dostoevsky, where characters grapple with existential doubts. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on introspection and philosophical inquiry, making these words more prevalent in artistic and intellectual contexts compared to everyday Western usage.

Related Concepts:

• беспокойство (bespokoystvo)
• недоверие (nedoverie)
• тревога (trevoga)