Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'perjury'

English Word: perjury

Key Russian Translations:

• лжесвидетствование [lʲʐɨsvʲɪdʲɛtstvaˈvanʲɪjɛ] - [Formal, Legal, Used in court contexts]
• дача ложных показаний [ˈdat͡ɕə ˈloʐnʲɨx pakaˈzanʲɪj] - [Formal, Legal, Phrase-based, Used in official documents]

Frequency: Low (This term is specialized and primarily encountered in legal or formal contexts, not everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: C1 (Advanced; requires familiarity with Russian legal terminology and complex noun structures, making it challenging for intermediate learners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

лжесвидетствование: [lʲʐɨsvʲɪdʲɛtstvaˈvanʲɪjɛ]

дача ложных показаний: [ˈdat͡ɕə ˈloʐnʲɨx pakaˈzanʲɪj]

Note on лжесвидетствование: The initial "лж-" cluster can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft "л" [lʲ] and the fricative "ж" [ʐ], which may sound like a prolonged "zh". Practice with native audio for accurate intonation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The act of willfully making a false statement under oath in a legal setting.

Translation(s) & Context:

• лжесвидетствование - Used in formal legal proceedings, such as trials, to denote perjury as a criminal offense.
• дача ложных показаний - Employed in written legal contexts or indictments, emphasizing the act of giving false testimony.

Usage Examples:

• Он был обвинен в лжесвидетствовании во время судебного процесса.

  He was accused of perjury during the court trial. (This example shows the noun in a nominative case, highlighting its use in accusatory statements.)

• Судья строго наказал за дачу ложных показаний в этом деле.

  The judge severely punished for giving false testimony in this case. (Illustrates the phrase in a genitive context, common in legal judgments.)

• Лжесвидетствование может привести к лишению свободы на несколько лет.

  Perjury can lead to imprisonment for several years. (Demonstrates the noun in a general warning, showing its role in explanatory sentences.)

• В России дача ложных показаний считается серьезным преступлением.

  In Russia, giving false testimony is considered a serious crime. (This highlights cultural and legal specificity, using the phrase in a comparative context.)

• Адвокат предупредил клиента об опасностях лжесвидетствования.

  The lawyer warned the client about the dangers of perjury. (Shows the noun in a genitive form within a advisory sentence, emphasizing preventive use.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"лжесвидетствование" is a neuter noun (singular) in Russian, following the standard pattern for abstract nouns. It undergoes regular declension based on cases, but as a compound word, it remains relatively stable. Below is a table of its inflections:

For "дача ложных показаний", this is a phrase where "дача" (feminine noun) and "показаний" (genitive plural of "показание") follow their own inflections. It is not a single word, so it doesn't inflect as a unit but adapts in sentences (e.g., "дачи ложных показаний" in genitive).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • клевета [klʲɪˈvʲɛtə] - Similar but broader, implying slander; often used interchangeably in non-legal contexts.
  • ложь под присягой [loʐʲ ˈpod prʲɪˈsʲagəj] - Literal phrase for "lie under oath," more descriptive and less formal.
• Antonyms:
  • правдивость [ˈpravʲdʲɪvastʲ]
  • честность [ˈt͡ɕɛstnəstʲ]

Related Phrases:

• Дача ложных показаний в суде - Giving false testimony in court; used to specify perjury in a judicial setting.
• Обвинение в лжесвидетствовании - Accusation of perjury; common in legal indictments.
• Наказание за лжесвидетствование - Punishment for perjury; highlights consequences in Russian legal discussions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "лжесвидетствование" directly corresponds to "perjury" in English legal contexts, emphasizing the act of lying under oath. It is strictly formal and should be used only in professional or official settings to avoid sounding overly dramatic in casual speech. When choosing between translations, opt for "дача ложных показаний" in written documents for clarity. Be mindful of grammatical agreement, as Russian nouns like this must align with case and number in sentences. For English speakers, remember that Russian legal terms often carry a more bureaucratic tone.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "лжесвидетствование" with "клевета": Learners might use "клевета" (slander) interchangeably, but it's broader and doesn't imply oath-taking. Correct: "Он совершил лжесвидетствование" (He committed perjury). Incorrect: "Он совершил клевету" (which means slander, not necessarily under oath). Explanation: Always verify the context of oath or testimony.

• Improper inflection: Forgetting to change cases, e.g., using nominative in a genitive context. Correct: "обвинение в лжесвидетствовании" (accusation of perjury). Incorrect: "обвинение в лжесвидетствование". Explanation: Russian requires precise case agreement for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and legal system, perjury (лжесвидетствование) is viewed as a severe breach of trust and morality, rooted in historical influences from Soviet-era justice. It often carries implications of state security, as false testimony can undermine public institutions, reflecting Russia's emphasis on collective truthfulness in society.

Related Concepts:

• суд [sud]
• показания [pakaˈzanʲɪjə]
• преступление [prʲɪˈstʊpəlʲɛnʲɪjɛ]