Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'notwithstanding'

English Word: notwithstanding

Key Russian Translations:

• Несмотря на (nʲɪˈsdrʲatə na) - [Formal, used in written and spoken contexts for indicating contrast or exception]
• Вопреки (vɐˈprʲekʲi) - [Formal, often used in legal or emphatic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, literature, and discussions, but not as frequent as basic conjunctions like "and" or "but")

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of prepositional phrases and contrastive structures, suitable for learners with a good grasp of basic grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Несмотря на: nʲɪˈsdrʲatə na

Вопреки: vɐˈprʲekʲi

Note on Несмотря на: The stress falls on the second syllable of "несмотря" (nʲɪ-ˈsdrʲatə), and it is often pronounced more fluidly in spoken Russian. Be aware of the soft 'н' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Despite or in spite of something (indicating contrast or exception)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Несмотря на - Used in formal contexts to express that something happens regardless of an obstacle; common in essays, news, and everyday conversations.
• Вопреки - Applied in more emphatic or adversarial situations, such as legal documents or debates, to highlight opposition.

Usage Examples:

• Несмотря на плохую погоду, мы решили пойти в парк.

  Notwithstanding the bad weather, we decided to go to the park.

• Вопреки всем ожиданиям, проект был успешно завершен.

  Notwithstanding all expectations, the project was successfully completed.

• Несмотря на его опыт, он допустил ошибку в расчётах.

  Notwithstanding his experience, he made a mistake in the calculations.

• Вопреки советам друзей, она продолжила свои путешествия.

  Notwithstanding the advice of her friends, she continued her travels.

• Несмотря на трудности, команда достигла цели.

  Notwithstanding the difficulties, the team reached its goal. (This example shows the phrase in a motivational context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Несмотря на" is a prepositional phrase and does not inflect; it remains unchanged in all contexts. It functions as a fixed expression and is invariable regardless of gender, number, or case of the following noun.

"Вопреки" is also a preposition and does not change form. However, it governs the dative case in the noun that follows, e.g., "вопреки трудностям" (notwithstanding the difficulties).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Хотя (xotʲa) - More casual, used for "although" in simpler contexts.
  • Даже несмотря на (dazhʲe nʲɪˈsdrʲatə na) - Emphasizes surprise or intensity; slight difference in connotation for stronger contrast.
• Antonyms:
  • Вследствие (vslʲeˈdustvʲije) - Meaning "because of" or "as a result of," indicating cause rather than exception.
  • Благодаря (blɐgoˈdarʲujə) - Meaning "thanks to" or "due to," which is the opposite in terms of positive causality.

Related Phrases:

• Несмотря ни на что - Despite everything; used to express determination in the face of obstacles.
• Вопреки обстоятельствам - Notwithstanding the circumstances; common in narrative or motivational language.
• Несмотря на всё - Despite it all; a fixed expression for overall resilience.

Usage Notes:

"Несмотря на" is the most direct and versatile translation for "notwithstanding" in Russian, often used in both formal and informal settings to introduce a contrasting clause. It precisely mirrors the English structure by taking the dative case for the object (e.g., "Несмотря на дождь"). Choose "Вопреки" for more adversarial tones, such as in legal or argumentative contexts, where a stronger sense of defiance is needed. Be mindful of word order: in Russian, the phrase typically precedes the main clause, unlike some flexible English usages. This structure helps maintain clarity in complex sentences.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "Несмотря на" with "Из-за" (because of) and use it incorrectly in causal sentences. For example, incorrect: "Несмотря на его помощь, я устал" (meant to say "because of his help"). Correct: "Из-за его помощи я устал". Explanation: "Несмотря на" indicates contrast, not cause.

• Another error is forgetting the required dative case after "Несмотря на". Incorrect: "Несмотря на дождьs" (adding an unnecessary ending). Correct: "Несмотря на дождь". Explanation: The phrase is prepositional and doesn't alter the following noun's form beyond standard case requirements.

Cultural Notes:

Expressions like "Несмотря на" reflect Russian literature's emphasis on resilience and contrast, often seen in works by authors like Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, where characters persist "despite" hardships. This usage underscores a cultural value of endurance in the face of adversity, common in Russian proverbs and everyday philosophy.

Related Concepts:

• Хотя
• Вопреки всему
• Несмотря ни на какие препятствия