Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mistake'

English Word: mistake

Key Russian Translations:

• ошибка /ɐˈʂɨbkə/ - [Formal, Common in everyday language]

Frequency: High (This word is commonly used in both spoken and written Russian across various contexts.)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary level; suitable for beginners learning basic vocabulary, as it follows standard noun patterns.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ошибка: /ɐˈʂɨbkə/

Note on ошибка: The "ш" sound is a soft, palatalized "sh" which can be challenging for English speakers; it’s similar to the "sh" in "she" but with a slight roll. Pronounce the stress on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: An error or inaccuracy in action, thought, or judgment.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ошибка - Used in formal and informal contexts to describe a simple mistake, such as in daily conversations or academic settings.

Usage Examples:

• Я сделал ошибку в расчётах. (Ya sdelal oshibku v raschotakh.)

  I made a mistake in the calculations.

• Это была большая ошибка с моей стороны. (Eto byla bolshaya oshibka s moyey storony.)

  That was a big mistake on my part.

• Избегайте ошибок в тексте. (Izbegayte oshibok v tekste.)

  Avoid mistakes in the text.

• Её ошибка стоила нам времени. (Eyey oshibka stoyla nam vremeni.)

  Her mistake cost us time.

Meaning 2: A misunderstanding or wrong action in a specific situation, e.g., in social or professional contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ошибка - Often used in informal speech to express regret or learning from errors, such as in personal stories.

Usage Examples:

• Моя ошибка заключалась в том, что я не проверил факты. (Moya oshibka zaklyuchalas' v tom, chto ya ne proweril fakty.)

  My mistake was that I didn't check the facts.

• В жизни все совершают ошибки. (V zhizni vse soweryayut oshibki.)

  In life, everyone makes mistakes.

• Эта ошибка может привести к проблемам. (Eta oshibka mozhet privesti k problemam.)

  This mistake could lead to problems.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"ошибка" is a feminine noun in the first declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its basic inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • погрешность (pogreshnost') - Slight error, often in scientific or technical contexts; more formal than ошибка.
  • неточность (netochnost') - Inaccuracy, emphasizing imprecision rather than a blatant mistake.
• Antonyms:
  • правильность (pravilnost') - Correctness, accuracy.
  • точность (tochnost') - Precision, exactness.

Related Phrases:

• Сделать ошибку (Sdelat' oshibku) - To make a mistake; commonly used in everyday conversations to admit faults.
• Избегать ошибок (Izbegat' oshibok) - To avoid mistakes; often in educational or professional settings.
• Фатальная ошибка (Fatalnaya oshibka) - Fatal mistake; implies severe consequences, as in literature or history.

Usage Notes:

"ошибка" directly corresponds to "mistake" in English but is more versatile in Russian, adapting to various contexts without changing its core meaning. Use it in formal writing, such as reports, or informal speech like casual talks. Be mindful of gender agreement; as a feminine noun, adjectives and verbs must agree (e.g., "большая ошибка" for "big mistake"). When choosing between synonyms like "погрешность," opt for it in technical scenarios for a more precise tone.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse case endings, e.g., using "ошибка" in the wrong case. Incorrect: "Я думаю об ошибка" (should be "об ошибке"). Correct: "Я думаю об ошибке" – Remember to use the prepositional case after prepositions like "об."

• Overusing it without context; for example, saying "Это ошибка" when a more specific word like "погрешность" is needed in scientific discussions. Explanation: Always consider the domain to avoid vagueness.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, admitting an "ошибка" (mistake) is often seen as a sign of humility and growth, influenced by historical emphasis on collective responsibility in Soviet times. For instance, in literature like Tolstoy's works, characters frequently learn from mistakes, reflecting a cultural value on self-improvement.

Related Concepts:

• провал (provál) - Failure
• ошибочный (oshibochnyy) - Erroneous
• корректировка (korrektirovka) - Correction