Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'obedience'

English Word: obedience

Key Russian Translations:

• послушание /pɐs.lʊˈʂa.nʲɪ.e/ - [Formal, typically used in contexts of authority or moral compliance]
• повиновение /pɐ.vʲɪ.nɐˈvʲe.nʲɪ.e/ - [Formal, often in legal or military contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, educational, and everyday discussions about behavior and authority)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and formal language, but accessible to learners with basic grammar knowledge)

Pronunciation (Russian):

послушание: /pɐs.lʊˈʂa.nʲɪ.e/ (Note the stress on the third syllable; the 'ш' sound is a soft fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

повиновение: /pɐ.vʲɪ.nɐˈvʲe.nʲɪ.e/ (Emphasize the palatalized 'вʲ' sounds; a common difficulty is pronouncing the multiple vowels fluidly.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The act of obeying or complying with rules, authority, or instructions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• послушание - Used in everyday contexts like family, education, or moral discussions, often implying willing compliance.
• повиновение - Applied in more structured settings such as military, legal, or professional environments, emphasizing obligation.

Usage Examples:

• Дети показывают послушание родителям, выполняя домашние задания. (Children show obedience to their parents by completing homework.)

  English Translation: Children show obedience to their parents by completing homework.

• В армии повиновение командиру является ключевым правилом. (In the army, obedience to the commander is a key rule.)

  English Translation: In the army, obedience to the commander is a key rule.

• Её послушание законам природы помогло ей стать успешным учёным. (Her obedience to the laws of nature helped her become a successful scientist.)

  English Translation: Her obedience to the laws of nature helped her become a successful scientist.

• Повиновение правилам дорожного движения спасло ему жизнь. (Obedience to traffic rules saved his life.)

  English Translation: Obedience to traffic rules saved his life.

• Слепое послушание авторитетам может быть опасным в современном мире. (Blind obedience to authorities can be dangerous in the modern world.)

  English Translation: Blind obedience to authorities can be dangerous in the modern world.

Meaning 2: A state of submission or docility, often with a connotation of passivity.

Translation(s) & Context:

• послушание - In psychological or relational contexts, implying a habitual trait rather than a single act.

Usage Examples:

• Его послушание в браке иногда кажется чрезмерным. (His obedience in marriage sometimes seems excessive.)

  English Translation: His obedience in marriage sometimes seems excessive.

• Послушание воспитывается в семье с детства. (Obedience is cultivated in the family from childhood.)

  English Translation: Obedience is cultivated in the family from childhood.

• В этой культуре послушание старшим уважается выше всего. (In this culture, obedience to elders is valued above all.)

  English Translation: In this culture, obedience to elders is valued above all.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "послушание" and "повиновение" are neuter nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard neuter declension patterns. They are not irregular but do change based on case and number. Below is a table for "послушание" as an example; "повиновение" follows similar rules.

For "повиновение", the forms are identical in structure but with the root word changed (e.g., Nominative Singular: повиновение).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • подчинение (subordination; more neutral, often used in professional contexts)
  • уступчивость (yielding; implies a softer, more voluntary compliance)
• Antonyms:
  • неповиновение (disobedience; direct opposite, used in similar formal contexts)
  • бунт (rebellion; stronger, implying active resistance)

Related Phrases:

• слепое послушание - Blind obedience; a phrase used to describe unquestioning compliance, often with negative connotations in modern discussions.
• послушание закону - Obedience to the law; common in legal or ethical contexts, emphasizing societal rules.
• родительское послушание - Parental obedience; refers to children's obedience to parents, highlighting family dynamics.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "послушание" is the most direct equivalent to "obedience" in everyday English, but it often carries a positive or neutral tone, especially in educational or familial settings. Use "повиновение" for more formal or obligatory contexts, such as military or legal scenarios, to match the English word's connotation of enforced compliance. Be mindful of gender and case agreements; for example, always decline the noun based on its role in the sentence. When choosing between translations, opt for "послушание" in personal or moral discussions and "повиновение" in institutional ones to ensure cultural accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "послушание" with "послушный" (the adjective meaning "obedient"). Error: Saying "Я имею послушание" instead of "Я имею послушание" (correct), but learners might misuse it as "Я послушный" for "I am obedient." Correct: Use the noun form properly in context.
• Overlooking declensions: Error: Using "послушание" in the wrong case, e.g., "Я думаю о послушание" (incorrect; should be "послушании" in prepositional case). Correct: "Я думаю о послушании" – This ensures grammatical agreement and avoids sounding unnatural.
• Misapplying formality: Error: Using "повиновение" in casual family talk, which sounds overly formal. Correct: Stick with "послушание" for everyday use to match the informal tone.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "послушание" is often linked to traditional values of respect for authority, such as in family hierarchies or educational systems, influenced by historical contexts like Soviet-era discipline. This can contrast with Western views of individualism, where blind obedience might be criticized, highlighting cultural nuances in interpreting the word.

Related Concepts:

• дисциплина (discipline)
• авторитет (authority)
• подчинение (subordination)