Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'parley'

English Word: parley

Key Russian Translations:

• Переговоры [pʲɪrʲɪˈɡo.vɨ] - [Formal, Used in diplomatic or military contexts]
• Беседа [bʲɪˈsʲe.də] - [Informal, Less formal discussions, but not as precise for enemy negotiations]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are common in historical, diplomatic, or formal texts but not in everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of context-specific usage in Russian, as per CEFR standards. For 'Переговоры', it's B2; for 'Беседа', it's B1 due to its broader applicability.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Переговоры: [pʲɪrʲɪˈɡo.vɨ]

Беседа: [bʲɪˈsʲe.də]

Note on Переговоры: The stress is on the third syllable; be cautious with the soft 'r' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A discussion or conference, especially between enemies in a conflict (e.g., military or diplomatic negotiations)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Переговоры - Used in formal, official settings like wartime ceasefires or international diplomacy.
• Беседа - Applied in less adversarial contexts, such as casual talks, but can extend to negotiations if informal.

Usage Examples:

• Во время войны стороны согласились на переговоры для обсуждения условий перемирия.

  During the war, the sides agreed to a parley to discuss truce conditions.

• Пираты предложили переговоры, чтобы избежать дальнейшего сражения.

  The pirates suggested a parley to avoid further battle.

• В исторических текстах переговоры часто описываются как ключевой момент в разрешении конфликтов.

  In historical texts, parleys are often described as pivotal moments in resolving conflicts.

• Дипломаты организовали беседу, которая переросла в полноценные переговоры.

  The diplomats arranged a conversation that evolved into a full parley.

• Несмотря на напряжение, лидеры провели переговоры в нейтральной зоне.

  Despite the tension, the leaders held a parley in a neutral zone.

Meaning 2: Any informal or structured discussion aimed at resolution (broader, non-military use)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Беседа - Suitable for everyday or semi-formal talks, such as business negotiations.
• Переговоры - Still applicable but more formal, often implying structured dialogue.

Usage Examples:

• Бизнес-партнеры устроили беседу, чтобы уладить разногласия.

  The business partners held a parley to settle their differences.

• Переговоры между компаниями длились несколько часов, но не принесли результатов.

  The parley between the companies lasted several hours but yielded no results.

• В повседневной жизни беседа может стать impromptu переговором.

  In everyday life, a conversation can turn into an impromptu parley.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Переговоры' is a plural noun (feminine) and follows standard Russian noun declension patterns for first-declension nouns. It does not change in the nominative singular but is typically used in plural form.

'Беседа' is a feminine noun that follows regular first-declension patterns and inflects as follows:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Договорённость [dəɡɐˈvɔr.nəsʲtʲ] - More formal agreement, often implying a binding outcome.
  • Обсуждение [ɐp.sʊˈʐdʲenʲɪje] - General discussion, less structured than 'Переговоры'.
• Antonyms:
  • Война [vɐjˈna] - Direct opposition or conflict.
  • Конфликт [kɐnˈflʲikt] - Escalation rather than resolution.

Related Phrases:

• Вести переговоры - To conduct negotiations; often used in diplomatic contexts.
• Переговоры за столом - Parley at the table; implies a formal meeting for discussion.
• Начать беседу - To start a conversation; a lighter way to initiate talks that could lead to a parley.

Usage Notes:

'Переговоры' directly corresponds to 'parley' in formal or military English contexts, emphasizing structured dialogue, while 'Беседа' is better for informal settings. In Russian, these words are often used with verbs like 'вести' (to lead) or 'провести' (to hold). Choose 'Переговоры' for official scenarios and 'Беседа' for everyday use. Be mindful of grammatical gender and case agreements, as Russian requires adjectives and verbs to match.

• Always consider the context: 'Parley' implies potential hostility, so pair it with words indicating conflict resolution.
• In business, 'Переговоры' is common, but in casual speech, 'Беседа' might feel more natural.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'Переговоры' in singular form, e.g., saying "Переговор" instead of "Переговоры". Correct: "Они провели переговоры." (They held parleys.) Explanation: 'Переговоры' is almost always plural in modern Russian; using singular can sound archaic or incorrect.
• Error: Confusing 'Беседа' with 'Переговоры' in formal contexts, e.g., saying "Мы имели беседу" for a diplomatic meeting. Correct: "Мы имели переговоры." Explanation: 'Беседа' implies informality, which may understate the seriousness of a 'parley'.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'Переговоры' often evokes historical events like the negotiations during World War II or the Cold War, symbolizing diplomacy as a tool for peace. It reflects a cultural emphasis on collective decision-making and avoiding direct confrontation, rooted in Russia's long history of geopolitical negotiations.

Related Concepts:

• Мир [mir] - Peace
• Конфликт [konflikt] - Conflict
• Дипломатия [diplomatia] - Diplomacy