Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'postscript'

English Word: postscript

Key Russian Translations:

• постскриптум (/pɐstskriptʊm/) - [Formal, Used in written correspondence or literary contexts]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday spoken Russian; it's more prevalent in formal writing or historical texts.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1) - Involves understanding loanwords from English and Latin, as well as basic noun declensions.

Pronunciation (Russian):

постскриптум: /pɐstskriptʊm/

Note on постскриптум: The pronunciation emphasizes the 'skript' syllable, which can be tricky for English speakers due to the Russian 'р' (trilled r) and soft consonants. Stress falls on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: An additional remark or note added at the end of a letter or document

Translation(s) & Context:

• постскриптум - Used in formal written contexts, such as letters, emails, or official documents, to add supplementary information after the main body.

Usage Examples:

• В письме к другу я добавил постскриптум о нашей следующей встрече.

  In the letter to my friend, I added a postscript about our next meeting.

• Постскриптум в контракте уточнил дополнительные условия оплаты.

  The postscript in the contract clarified additional payment terms.

• В конце эссе автор поместил постскриптум с благодарностями коллегам.

  At the end of the essay, the author included a postscript with thanks to colleagues.

• Она забыла упомянуть важный факт, поэтому добавила постскриптум в электронное письмо.

  She forgot to mention an important fact, so she added a postscript to the email.

• Постскриптум к официальному документу может изменить его интерпретацию.

  A postscript to an official document can alter its interpretation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Постскриптум" is a masculine noun (masc. inanimate) borrowed from Latin via English. It follows the standard third declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This word is not commonly inflected in plural forms due to its specialized use, but the above represents standard rules.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • добавление (dobavlenie) - A general addition, often used in informal contexts for any extra note.
  • примечание (primechanie) - A footnote or remark, with a slight nuance of being more explanatory.
• Antonyms:
  • основной текст (osnovnoy tekst) - The main body of text, implying the primary content without additions.

Related Phrases:

• в постскриптуме (v postskriptume) - In the postscript; Used to refer to content within an addendum. (e.g., This phrase highlights supplementary information in formal writing.)
• добавить постскриптум (dobavit postskriptum) - To add a postscript; Common in contexts like letter-writing or editing documents.
• послесловие (posleslovie) - Afterword or epilogue; Sometimes used interchangeably in literary works, but more for books than letters.

Usage Notes:

"Постскриптум" directly corresponds to the English "postscript" as an addendum, but it's more formal in Russian and often appears in written correspondence rather than spoken language. English speakers should note that Russian has no exact equivalent for casual uses; choose based on context—use "постскриптум" for official documents and "примечание" for everyday notes. Grammatically, it requires correct declension based on case, as shown in the inflections table. When multiple translations exist, opt for "постскриптум" in historical or literary settings for precision.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "постскрипт" instead of "постскриптум" (a common misspelling or shortening). Correct: Always use the full form "постскриптум" in standard Russian. Explanation: This error stems from English influence; the correct word maintains its Latin roots for accuracy.

• Error: Failing to decline the noun properly, e.g., saying "в постскриптум" instead of "в постскриптуме". Correct: Use the prepositional case "в постскриптуме". Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English learners often overlook, leading to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

"Постскриптум" is a borrowed term from Latin ("post scriptum"), reflecting Russia's historical influence from Western languages. In Russian culture, it's often associated with 19th-century literature, like in the works of Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, where characters add postscripts to letters for dramatic effect, emphasizing personal or emotional afterthoughts.

Related Concepts:

• примечание (primechanie)
• послесловие (posleslovie)
• добавка (dobavka)