Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'payoff'

English Word: payoff

Key Russian Translations:

• вознаграждение [vɐznɐˈɡraʐdʲɪnʲɪje] - [Formal, often used in business or legal contexts]
• выплата [vɨˈplatə] - [Neutral, Informal, referring to a payment or return]
• взятка [ˈvzjatkə] - [Informal, with negative connotation, used when implying bribery]

Frequency: Medium (Common in professional and financial discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and contextual nuances; 'вознаграждение' is B2, while 'взятка' might be A2 due to its simplicity)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вознаграждение: [vɐznɐˈɡraʐdʲɪnʲɪje]

Note on вознаграждение: This word has stress on the fourth syllable, which can be tricky for beginners; it often softens in casual speech.

выплата: [vɨˈplatə]

Note on выплата: The initial 'в' is pronounced as a voiced labiodental fricative; common in everyday financial talk.

взятка: [ˈvzjatkə]

Note on взятка: Stress on the first syllable; avoid over-emphasizing the 'т' sound, as it can sound unnatural.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A reward or return on investment (e.g., financial gain)

Translation(s) & Context:

• вознаграждение - Used in formal settings like business contracts or investments to denote a legitimate return.
• выплата - Applied in more neutral or everyday contexts, such as salary bonuses or settlements.

Usage Examples:

• Инвесторы ожидают вознаграждение от своих вложений в компанию.

  Investors expect a payoff from their investments in the company.

• Эта выплата стала приятным вознаграждением за годы тяжелой работы.

  This payment became a nice payoff for years of hard work.

• В бизнесе риск всегда сопряжен с потенциальным вознаграждением.

  In business, risk is always tied to potential payoff.

• Он получил выплату как вознаграждение за успешный проект.

  He received a payoff as a reward for the successful project.

• Финансовая выплата в конце года служит хорошим стимулом.

  The year-end payoff serves as a great incentive.

Meaning 2: A bribe or illicit payment

Translation(s) & Context:

• взятка - Used in informal or negative contexts, such as corruption or unethical dealings.

Usage Examples:

• Он предложил взятку, чтобы ускорить процесс.

  He offered a payoff to speed up the process.

• Взятка в политике часто приводит к скандалам.

  Payoffs in politics often lead to scandals.

• Эта взятка была раскрыта во время расследования.

  This payoff was uncovered during the investigation.

• Менеджер принял взятку за конфиденциальную информацию.

  The manager took a payoff for confidential information.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are nouns and follow standard Russian declension patterns. 'вознаграждение' and 'выплата' are neuter nouns, while 'взятка' is feminine.

Note: These words do not have irregular inflections, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • награда (reward; similar to вознаграждение but more general)
  • премия (bonus; often used for financial incentives, slightly less formal than выплата)
  • подкуп (bribe; direct synonym for взятка in illicit contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • наказание (punishment; opposite of any positive payoff)
  • убыток (loss; contrasts with financial payoff)

Related Phrases:

• Финансовое вознаграждение - Financial payoff; used in contexts of investments or rewards.
• Получить выплату - To get a payoff; common in employment or contractual situations.
• Дать взятку - To give a payoff (bribe); implies corruption and is often illegal.
• Обещанное вознаграждение - Promised payoff; highlights expectations in negotiations.

Usage Notes:

'Payoff' translates variably in Russian based on context: use 'вознаграждение' for positive, formal rewards, 'выплата' for neutral payments, and 'взятка' for negative connotations like bribery. Be mindful of the word's declension in sentences, as Russian requires case agreement. In formal writing, opt for 'вознаграждение' to match the precise English meaning, but in casual speech, 'выплата' is more versatile. Avoid mixing with similar words like 'премия' unless the context specifically involves bonuses.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'вознаграждение' with 'взятка', using the latter in positive contexts. Error: "Я получил взятку за работу" (incorrect, as it implies bribery). Correct: "Я получил вознаграждение за работу" – This mistake stems from overlooking the ethical nuance.

• Another error is improper declension, e.g., saying "без вознаграждений" instead of "без вознаграждения" in genitive. Correct usage: Always adjust for case to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a 'payoff' as a reward is often linked to Soviet-era practices where state bonuses motivated workers. However, 'взятка' reflects ongoing issues with corruption, a sensitive topic in modern Russia, highlighting the importance of context to avoid misunderstandings.

Related Concepts:

• премия
• бонус
• награда
• подкуп