Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'plaintiff'

English Word: plaintiff

Key Russian Translations:

• истец [ˈistʲɛts] - [Formal, Legal context]

Frequency: Medium (Common in legal and formal documents, but not everyday conversation; frequently encountered in Russian legal texts or court proceedings)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with legal terminology and Russian noun declensions, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

истец: [ˈistʲɛts]

Note on истец: The stress is on the first syllable. The 'ц' sound is a voiceless alveolar affricate, which may be challenging for English speakers; it sounds similar to 'ts' in 'cats'. Pronounce it with a soft 't' followed by a clear 's' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A person who brings a case against another in a court of law.

Translation(s) & Context:

• истец - Used in formal legal contexts, such as civil lawsuits or trials, to refer to the party initiating the action.

Usage Examples:

• В суде истец подал иск против ответчика за нарушение контракта.

  In court, the plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the defendant for breach of contract.

• Истец имеет право на представление доказательств во время процесса.

  The plaintiff has the right to present evidence during the trial.

• После долгих дебатов судья выслушал аргументы истца и вынес решение.

  After lengthy debates, the judge heard the plaintiff's arguments and issued a decision.

• В этом деле истец требует компенсации за причиненный ущерб.

  In this case, the plaintiff is seeking compensation for the damages caused.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Истец" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows regular noun declension patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table outlining its key inflections for number and case:

Note: The plural form is used when referring to multiple plaintiffs in a case. This declension is regular, but learners should pay attention to the soft sign (ь) in certain forms, which affects pronunciation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • проситель (more archaic, used in older legal texts; implies a petitioner seeking justice)
  • заявитель (in administrative contexts, such as appeals; slightly broader than истец)
• Antonyms:
  • ответчик (direct opposite, meaning 'defendant')
  • подсудимый (in criminal contexts, meaning 'accused')

Related Phrases:

• истец по делу - Refers to "the plaintiff in the case," used in legal discussions to specify the party's role.
• заявление истца - Means "the plaintiff's statement," common in court filings or testimonies.
• права истца - Translates to "the plaintiff's rights," often discussed in legal education or advocacy contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Истец" directly corresponds to the English "plaintiff" in legal contexts, but it's primarily used in formal, written Russian, such as court documents or legal proceedings. It's essential to use the correct case based on the sentence structure; for example, in "иск истца" (the plaintiff's claim), "истца" is in the genitive case. When choosing between synonyms like "заявитель," opt for "истец" in civil lawsuits for precision. Avoid using it in informal conversations, as it's domain-specific. For English learners, remember that Russian legal terms often require understanding of declensions to fit grammatically.

Common Errors:

• Common Error: Confusing "истец" with "ответчик" (defendant). Incorrect: "Истец защищается в суде" (The plaintiff defends themselves in court). Correct: "Ответчик защищается в суде." Explanation: "Истец" initiates the case, while "ответчик" responds; this mix-up stems from not fully grasping the roles in Russian legal terminology.

• Common Error: Forgetting to decline the noun properly. Incorrect: "Судья слушает истец" (The judge listens to plaintiff). Correct: "Судья слушает истца." Explanation: In accusative case, it must be "истца"; undeclined forms sound unnatural and mark non-native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and legal systems, the concept of "истец" reflects the civil law tradition inherited from the Soviet era, emphasizing written codes and formal procedures. Unlike common law systems in English-speaking countries, Russian courts often require plaintiffs to provide substantial evidence upfront, which can influence how "истец" is perceived—as an active initiator rather than a reactive party.

Related Concepts:

• суд (court)
• иск (lawsuit)
• ответчик (defendant)