Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mistrust'

English Word: mistrust

Key Russian Translations:

• Недоверие /nʲɪdɐˈvʲerʲɪjə/ - [Formal]
• Подозрение /pədɐˈzrenʲɪjə/ - [Informal, often used in everyday contexts]
• Не доверять /nʲe dɐˈvʲerʲətʲ/ - [Verbal form, used in sentences to express distrust]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, media, and everyday discussions about relationships or politics).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun and verb inflections, suitable for learners with basic Russian grammar knowledge. For 'Не доверять', it may be B2 due to its verbal usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Недоверие: /nʲɪdɐˈvʲerʲɪjə/

Подозрение: /pədɐˈzrenʲɪjə/ (Note that the stress is on the third syllable, which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'р' sound.)

Не доверять: /nʲe dɐˈvʲerʲətʲ/ (Note on Не доверять: The verb infinitive ends with a soft 'ть', and pronunciation varies slightly in different regions; pay attention to the negation 'не' for emphasis.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Lack of trust in someone or something (general distrust)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Недоверие - Used in formal contexts, such as legal or professional settings, to describe a state of suspicion.
• Подозрение - Applied in informal or investigative scenarios, like personal relationships or crime stories.

Usage Examples:

• Его недоверие к новому партнеру помешало успешному сотрудничеству.

  His mistrust of the new partner hindered successful collaboration.

• В политике часто возникает недоверие к обещаниям кандидатов.

  In politics, mistrust of candidates' promises often arises.

• Подозрение в его намерениях заставило нас пересмотреть договор.

  Mistrust of his intentions made us reconsider the agreement.

• Не доверяй незнакомцам в интернете без проверки.

  Don't mistrust strangers on the internet without verification. (Here, it shows imperative use in advice-giving.)

Meaning 2: Suspicion or doubt about reliability

Translation(s) & Context:

• Не доверять - Common in verbal contexts, emphasizing active doubt, such as in interpersonal communication.
• Подозрение - Used when implying investigation or caution in social interactions.

Usage Examples:

• Я не доверяю этому источнику информации, так как он часто бывает неточным.

  I mistrust this information source because it is often inaccurate.

• Её подозрение относительно сделки вынудило нас провести аудит.

  Her mistrust regarding the deal forced us to conduct an audit.

• Не доверять друзьям в критических ситуациях может разрушить отношения.

  Mistrusting friends in critical situations can destroy relationships. (Demonstrates conditional usage.)

• Подозрение в коррупции привело к отставке министра.

  Mistrust of corruption led to the minister's resignation.

• Он не доверяет врачам после предыдущего опыта.

  He mistrusts doctors after his previous experience.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Most translations like 'Недоверие' are nouns, which follow standard Russian declension patterns. 'Подозрение' is also a noun. 'Не доверять' is an infinitive verb form that conjugates irregularly in some aspects.

Note: 'Не доверять' is an imperfective verb and does not change in form for all aspects but conjugates by person, number, and tense (e.g., present: не доверяю, past: не доверял).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Скептицизм (slight nuance: more intellectual doubt)
  • Вздор (informal, implying absurdity)
• Antonyms:
  • Доверие (trust, directly opposite in formal contexts)
  • Верность (loyalty, often used in relational settings)

Related Phrases:

• Вызывать недоверие - To arouse mistrust; used when something or someone raises suspicion.
• Подозрение в мошенничестве - Suspicion of fraud; common in legal or financial contexts.
• Не доверять на слово - Not to take someone's word for it; implies needing evidence before trusting.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'mistrust' often aligns closely with 'недоверие' in formal writing, but 'не доверять' is preferred for dynamic, verbal expressions. Be mindful of context: use 'подозрение' for investigative scenarios. Grammatically, nouns like 'недоверие' require correct case endings, which can vary by sentence structure. When choosing among translations, opt for 'не доверять' in spoken language for a more natural feel, especially in dialogues.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'недоверие' as a verb (e.g., saying "Я недоверие ему" instead of "Я не доверяю ему"). Correct: Я не доверяю ему. Explanation: 'Недоверие' is a noun and cannot function as a verb; use the infinitive 'не доверять' and conjugate it properly.
• Error: Omitting case endings (e.g., "О недоверие" instead of "О недоверии"). Correct: О недоверии. Explanation: Russian nouns decline based on case, and incorrect endings can alter meaning or make the sentence ungrammatical.
• Error: Confusing with similar words like 'сомнение' (doubt). Correct: Use 'подозрение' for mistrust in people, not general uncertainty. Explanation: 'Сомнение' implies hesitation, while 'подозрение' connotes active suspicion.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions of mistrust like 'недоверие' are often linked to historical contexts, such as the Soviet era's suspicion of authority, which influences modern interpersonal dynamics. This can manifest in cautious social interactions, where building trust takes time, reflecting a broader cultural emphasis on reliability in relationships.

Related Concepts:

• Скептицизм
• Верность
• Подозрительность