Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'petition'

English Word: petition

Key Russian Translations:

• петиция [pʲɪˈtʲit͡sɨjə] - [Formal, used in official or political contexts]
• заявление [zəˈjavlʲenʲɪje] - [Informal or general, often for everyday requests]
• ходатайство [xədɐˈtajstvə] - [Formal, legal or intercessory contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, politics, and legal discussions, but not in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of formal vocabulary and basic noun declensions; 'петиция' may be easier for beginners, while 'ходатайство' could reach B2 for its nuanced usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

петиция: [pʲɪˈtʲit͡sɨjə]

заявление: [zəˈjavlʲenʲɪje]

ходатайство: [xədɐˈtajstvə]

Note on петиция: The stress falls on the third syllable; be mindful of the palatalized 'т' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A formal written request, often signed by many, appealing to authority

Translation(s) & Context:

• петиция - Used in political or public campaigns, such as online petitions or protests (formal context).
• заявление - Applied in everyday administrative requests, like to a school or office (less formal).
• ходатайство - Employed in legal settings, such as court appeals (highly formal, often professional).

Usage Examples:

• Граждане подали петицию против нового закона.

  Citizens submitted a petition against the new law.

• Он написал заявление в администрацию для разрешения проблемы.

  He wrote a petition to the administration to resolve the issue.

• Адвокат подготовил ходатайство о досрочном освобождении.

  The lawyer prepared a petition for early release.

• Под online-петицией собралось более тысячи подписей.

  The online petition gathered more than a thousand signatures.

A general plea or appeal, not necessarily written

Translation(s) & Context:

• заявление - In spoken contexts, like a verbal request in daily life (informal).
• ходатайство - For intercessory appeals, such as in religious or humanitarian scenarios (formal).

Usage Examples:

• Она сделала устное заявление на собрании жителей.

  She made a verbal petition at the residents' meeting.

• Друзья написали ходатайство в его поддержку.

  Friends wrote a petition in his support.

• В суде было подано заявление о пересмотре дела.

  A petition for case review was filed in court.

• Петиция была направлена напрямую президенту.

  The petition was sent directly to the president.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Most key translations are nouns. 'Петиция' is a feminine noun (3rd declension), which follows standard patterns. 'Заявление' is neuter (2nd declension), and 'Ходатайство' is neuter as well. These words inflect based on case, number, and gender in Russian sentences.

These are regular inflections; no irregularities noted. For unchangeable words in certain contexts (e.g., in fixed phrases), they remain in their base form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • просьба (prosbá) - A general request, often more polite and less formal.
  • апелляция (apel-lyátsiya) - Specifically for appeals in legal contexts, with a nuance of challenging a decision.
  • обращение (obrashchéniye) - A formal address or appeal, commonly in official letters.
• Antonyms:
  • отказ (otkáz) - Refusal or denial.
  • противодействие (protivodéystviye) - Opposition or resistance.

Related Phrases:

• Подписать петицию - To sign a petition; used in activism or public campaigns.
• Подать заявление - To submit a petition or application; common in bureaucratic settings.
• Ходатайствовать за кого-то - To petition on behalf of someone; implies intercession in legal or personal matters.
• Онлайн-петиция - Online petition; a modern phrase for digital activism.

Usage Notes:

'Петиция' directly corresponds to the English 'petition' in formal, public contexts, while 'заявление' is broader and can cover informal requests. Always consider the context: use 'ходатайство' for legal scenarios to convey a sense of advocacy. In Russian, these nouns require proper case agreement with verbs and prepositions, e.g., 'подать петицию' (to submit a petition). English speakers should note that Russian often requires more formal language in official settings, so avoid mixing with casual synonyms like 'просьба' unless the tone is appropriate.

• Choose 'петиция' for political or mass appeals.
• Grammar tip: These nouns decline, so pay attention to case endings in sentences.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'петиция' with 'заявление' and use them interchangeably, but 'петиция' is specifically for collective appeals, while 'заявление' is for individual ones. For example:

• Error: "Я подал петицию в банк" (incorrect if it's a personal request).
• Correct: "Я подал заявление в банк" (for a bank application). Explanation: 'Петиция' implies a group effort, so use it only for public petitions to avoid sounding overly dramatic.
• Another error: Forgetting declensions, e.g., saying "о петиция" instead of "о петиции" in prepositional case. Correct form: "Мы говорим о петиции" (We talk about the petition).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, petitions like 'петиция' have historical roots in tsarist-era appeals to the monarchy, such as the 1905 petitions. Today, they are common in modern activism, especially via platforms like Change.org, reflecting Russia's vibrant civil society movements. However, in authoritarian contexts, submitting a 'петиция' might carry risks, highlighting themes of free speech and government response.

Related Concepts:

• демонстрация (demonstration)
• протест (protest)
• апелляция (appeal)
• обращение к власти (address to authority)