Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prosecute'

English Word: prosecute

Key Russian Translations:

• преследовать [prʲɪsʲɪˈslʲovətʲ] - [Formal, Legal context]
• возбуждать дело [vɐzˈbuʐdətʲ ˈdʲelə] - [Formal, Often used in official or legal proceedings]

Frequency: Medium (Common in legal and formal contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of legal terminology and verb conjugations, though basic forms can be grasped at A2 with context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

преследовать: [prʲɪsʲɪˈslʲovətʲ]

возбуждать дело: [vɐzˈbuʐdətʲ ˈdʲelə] (Note that "возбуждать" has stress on the second syllable, which can be tricky for learners due to shifting stress in verb forms)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Legal Meaning: To initiate or carry out a prosecution in court

Translation(s) & Context:

• преследовать - Used in formal legal contexts to describe pursuing a case against someone, often in criminal law.
• возбуждать дело - Applied when formally starting a legal investigation or prosecution, typically in official documents or court settings.

Usage Examples:

• Прокурор решил преследовать преступника в суде.

  The prosecutor decided to prosecute the criminal in court.

• Власти возбудят дело против компании за финансовые нарушения.

  The authorities will prosecute the company for financial violations.

• Судебное преследование может занять несколько лет.

  The prosecution may take several years.

• Адвокат настаивает, чтобы дело было возбуждено немедленно.

  The lawyer insists that the case be prosecuted immediately.

• Преследование по политическим мотивам часто встречается в истории.

  Prosecution for political reasons is often seen in history.

General Meaning: To continue or carry out an action persistently

Translation(s) & Context:

• преследовать - In non-legal contexts, meaning to pursue or follow through, such as in business or personal endeavors.

Usage Examples:

• Компания продолжает преследовать свои цели несмотря на трудности.

  The company continues to prosecute its goals despite difficulties.

• Он преследует мечту стать писателем с детства.

  He has been prosecuting his dream of becoming a writer since childhood.

• Преследование проекта требует постоянной мотивации.

  Prosecuting the project requires constant motivation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translations are verbs, which undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. "Преследовать" is an imperfective verb, meaning it describes ongoing actions, while "возбуждать" is also imperfective.

These verbs follow standard first conjugation patterns with no irregularities, but pay attention to stem changes and stress shifts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вести судебное преследование (more formal, emphasizes the process)
  • осуществлять (general pursuit, less legal-specific; differs by implying execution rather than initiation)
• Antonyms:
  • закрывать дело (to close a case)
  • отменять (to cancel or annul)

Related Phrases:

• Уголовное преследование - Criminal prosecution; used in contexts involving serious crimes.
• Судебное дело возбуждено - The case has been prosecuted; a phrase for formal announcements.
• Преследование в интересах общества - Prosecution in the public interest; highlights societal implications.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "преследовать" directly corresponds to "prosecute" in legal English but can also mean "to pursue" in broader contexts, so context is key. It's typically formal and avoids informal speech. For legal usage, pair it with nouns like "в суде" (in court). When multiple translations exist, choose "возбуждать дело" for initiating actions and "преследовать" for ongoing ones. Grammatically, ensure verb agreement with subject in number and gender.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "преследовать" in everyday contexts without legal connotation, e.g., saying "Я преследую проект" when "Я занимаюсь проектом" is more neutral. Correct: Stick to formal settings to avoid confusion; explanation: This verb implies pursuit with intensity, which might sound overly dramatic.
• Mistake: Incorrect conjugation, e.g., saying "преследуюет" instead of "преследует". Correct: "преследует" for third person singular; learners often forget vowel changes in present tense.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, prosecution (e.g., via "преследовать") often reflects the state's role in the legal system, which is influenced by Soviet-era practices. Terms like this can carry connotations of state authority, and in modern contexts, they might evoke discussions on human rights, as seen in cases involving political dissidents.

Related Concepts:

• обвинение (accusation)
• суд (court)
• защита (defense)