Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'partiality'

English Word: partiality

Key Russian Translations:

• предвзятость [prʲɪdvʲæˈtostʲ] - [Formal, used in contexts involving bias or favoritism]
• предпочтение [prʲɪdpɐˈt͡ɕenʲɪje] - [Informal, when referring to personal preference or inclination]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions of fairness, justice, or personal biases, but not as frequent in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and nuanced vocabulary; for 'предвзятость', it's B2, while 'предпочтение' may be A2 for basic forms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

предвзятость: [prʲɪdvʲæˈtostʲ]

предpochтение: [prʲɪdpɐˈt͡ɕenʲɪje]

Note on предвзятость: The stress falls on the third syllable ('tostʲ'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants; pronounce with a clear 'v' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Bias or favoritism toward one side in judgment or opinion

Translation(s) & Context:

• предвзятость - Used in formal contexts like legal, ethical, or academic discussions to denote unfair prejudice.
• предпочтение - Applied in everyday situations for personal likes, but can imply bias if overemphasized.

Usage Examples:

• Его предвзятость в суде помешала справедливому решению.

  His partiality in court hindered a fair decision.

• В науке предвзятость может искажать результаты экспериментов.

  In science, partiality can distort experimental results.

• Она проявила предвзятость, отдавая предпочтение своему другу в конкурсе.

  She showed partiality by giving preference to her friend in the competition.

• Предпочтение к определенным продуктам часто влияет на наши покупки.

  Partiality toward certain products often influences our purchases.

• В семейных делах предвзятость родителей может создать конфликт.

  In family matters, parental partiality can create conflict.

2. A liking or inclination for something

Translation(s) & Context:

• предпочтение - Common in informal or personal contexts, such as preferences in hobbies or tastes.

Usage Examples:

• Его предпочтение классической музыки очевидно в его коллекции дисков.

  His partiality for classical music is evident in his record collection.

• Предпочтение сладкого вкуса делает его выбор десертов предсказуемым.

  Partiality for sweet flavors makes his dessert choices predictable.

• В работе она показывает предпочтение творческим задачам над рутинными.

  In her work, she shows partiality for creative tasks over routine ones.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard feminine declension patterns. 'Предвзятость' and 'предпочтение' are abstract nouns and do not change in most cases unless specified by grammatical context.

Note: These words are invariant in gender and do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • субъективность (subyektivnost') - More emphasis on personal subjectivity.
  • фаворитизм (favoritizm) - Often used in borrowed contexts, implying favoritism in a professional setting.
• Antonyms:
  • объективность (obyektivnost') - Neutrality or impartiality.
  • справедливость (spravedlivost') - Fairness, directly opposing bias.

Related Phrases:

• предвзятое отношение - Biased attitude (used to describe preconceived opinions in social or professional interactions).
• проявлять предпочтение - To show partiality (common in contexts of decision-making or personal choices).
• избегать предвзятости - To avoid partiality (often in ethical or legal advice).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'предвзятость' directly corresponds to the negative connotation of 'partiality' as bias, and is best used in formal writing or discussions where impartiality is expected, such as in law or journalism. 'Предпочтение', however, is milder and aligns with positive or neutral inclinations, like preferences in daily life. English speakers should note that Russian often requires the appropriate case for these nouns based on sentence structure—e.g., use genitive for possession. When choosing between translations, opt for 'предвзятость' in critical contexts and 'предпочтение' for everyday preferences to ensure cultural accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'предвзятость' with 'предпочтение' and using the latter in formal bias contexts. For example, incorrectly saying "Его предпочтение в суде" instead of "Его предвзятость в суде". Correct usage: The former implies simple preference, while the latter denotes unfair bias. Explanation: This mix-up can dilute the meaning; always assess the context for negativity.

• Error: Forgetting case changes, e.g., using nominative 'предвзятость' in a genitive context like "из-за предвзятость" (wrong) instead of "из-за предвзятости". Correct: Adjust for genitive as "из-за предвзятости". Explanation: Russian grammar requires precise declension to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'предвзятость' often carries a strong negative connotation, especially in contexts like justice and media, where impartiality (объективность) is highly valued due to historical influences from Soviet-era propaganda. Understanding this helps English speakers appreciate why Russians emphasize fairness in public discourse.

Related Concepts:

• справедливость (justice)
• нейтральность (neutrality)
• субъективный взгляд (subjective viewpoint)