Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'onus'

English Word: onus

Key Russian Translations:

• Обязанность [ɐb.zɐˈnas.nəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Noun, Used in legal or professional contexts]
• Бремя [ˈbrʲem.jə] - [Informal, Noun, Used in everyday conversations to imply emotional or physical weight]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, legal documents, and discussions, but less frequent in casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and context-specific usage; for 'Бремя', also B1 due to its metaphorical applications)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Обязанность: [ɐb.zɐˈnas.nəsʲtʲ]

Note on Обязанность: The stress falls on the third syllable; be mindful of the soft sign (ь) which affects the pronunciation of the preceding consonant, making it softer.

Бремя: [ˈbrʲem.jə]

Note on Бремя: The initial 'Бр' has a soft 'р' sound; this word may vary slightly in rapid speech, with the final vowel sometimes reduced.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A responsibility or duty that is burdensome

Translation(s) & Context:

• Обязанность - Used in formal settings, such as work or legal obligations, to emphasize a mandatory task.
• Бремя - Applied in informal contexts to describe an emotional or physical load, often with a sense of hardship.

Usage Examples:

• Эту обязанность нельзя игнорировать, так как она лежит на всех сотрудниках.

  This onus cannot be ignored, as it lies on all employees.

• Бремя забот о семье иногда кажется невыносимым, но оно делает нас сильнее.

  The onus of family cares sometimes seems unbearable, but it makes us stronger.

• В контракте четко указано, что обязанность по оплате лежит на арендаторе.

  The contract clearly states that the onus of payment lies with the tenant.

• Это бремя одиночества часто наваливается в поздние часы.

  This onus of loneliness often weighs down in the late hours.

• Обязанность гражданина — соблюдать законы, даже если они неудобны.

  The onus of a citizen is to follow the laws, even if they are inconvenient.

Secondary Meaning: A burden or obligation in a metaphorical sense

Translation(s) & Context:

• Обязанность - In metaphorical contexts, such as moral or ethical duties, often in educational or philosophical discussions.
• Бремя - More poetic or emotional, used in literature to convey psychological weight.

Usage Examples:

• Историческое бремя прошлого поколения передается нам как наследие.

  The historical onus of the previous generation is passed down to us as a legacy.

• Обязанность быть честным в отношениях — это основа доверия.

  The onus of being honest in relationships is the foundation of trust.

• Под этим бременем ответственности она чувствовала себя подавленной.

  Under this onus of responsibility, she felt overwhelmed.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'Обязанность' and 'Бремя' are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow the standard feminine declension patterns. Russian nouns inflect for case, number, and gender.

Note: These words do not have irregular inflections; however, in plural forms, 'Обязанности' becomes more common in contexts like duties, e.g., 'Обязанности сотрудников' (employees' onuses).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Долг (dolg) - More formal, emphasizing moral debt.
  • Тяжесть (tyazhest') - Informal, focusing on weight or difficulty.
• Antonyms:
  • Свобода (svoboda) - Freedom, lack of obligation.
  • Легкость (legkost') - Ease, absence of burden.

Related Phrases:

• Невыносимое бремя - Unbearable onus; used to describe an overwhelming responsibility.
• Личная обязанность - Personal onus; refers to individual duties in ethical contexts.
• Бремя ответственности - Burden of responsibility; common in professional or familial settings.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'Обязанность' is the more precise equivalent to 'onus' in formal English contexts, such as legal or contractual obligations, while 'Бремя' conveys a more emotional or metaphorical sense. Choose 'Обязанность' for official documents to maintain a neutral tone, and 'Бремя' for narrative or conversational language. Be aware of grammatical gender: both are feminine, so they require feminine agreement in adjectives and verbs. For example, in sentences, ensure modifiers agree, e.g., 'тяжелая обязанность' (heavy onus).

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'Обязанность' with 'Обязательный' (obligatory adjective): Learners might say 'Это обязательный' instead of 'Это обязанность'. Correct usage: 'Это моя обязанность' (This is my onus), not 'Это мой обязательный'.
• Improper declension: English speakers often forget cases; e.g., incorrectly using nominative in all contexts. Error: 'Я имею бремя' (wrong); Correct: 'Я несу бремя' (I bear the onus), using the accusative form appropriately.
• Overusing 'Бремя' in formal settings: It may sound too poetic; prefer 'Обязанность' in professional emails. Error example: 'Бремя контракта' (incorrectly emotional); Correct: 'Обязанность по контракту'.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'Бремя' often carry a deep philosophical connotation, influenced by literature such as Dostoevsky's works, where personal onus is tied to moral and existential struggles. This reflects a cultural emphasis on individual responsibility in the face of historical hardships, such as those from Soviet times, making these terms resonate beyond their literal meanings.

Related Concepts:

• Ответственность (otvetstvennost') - Responsibility
• Долг (dolg) - Debt or duty
• Тяжесть (tyazhest') - Heaviness or burden