Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pursuit'

English Word: pursuit

Key Russian Translations:

• преследование [prʲɪslʲɪˈdovanʲɪje] - [Formal, often used in legal or literal contexts like chasing or pursuing someone]
• стремление [strʲɪmˈlʲenʲɪje] - [Informal, commonly for pursuits of goals, ambitions, or endeavors]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations appear regularly in everyday Russian, especially in narrative, legal, and motivational contexts, but not as common as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun inflections and contextual usage, with стремление being slightly easier for beginners due to its abstract nature, while преследование may need more advanced comprehension of formal language.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

преследование: [prʲɪslʲɪˈdovanʲɪje]

Note on преследование: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("do"), and the initial "prʲ" sound is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers. Practice with soft consonants.

стремление: [strʲɪmˈlʲenʲɪje]

Note on стремление: The "strʲ" is a palatalized cluster; the word has a flowing rhythm, with stress on the second syllable ("m"). It's often pronounced more fluidly in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

First Meaning: Chasing or following someone/something (e.g., in a literal or legal sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• преследование - Used in contexts involving pursuit in law enforcement, hunting, or tracking; common in formal writing or news.

Usage Examples:

• Полиция организовала преследование подозреваемого по городу.

  The police organized the pursuit of the suspect through the city.

• В фильме показано напряженное преследование героя его врагами.

  The film shows the intense pursuit of the hero by his enemies.

• Преследование диких животных в заповеднике строго запрещено.

  The pursuit of wild animals in the reserve is strictly prohibited.

• Во время войны солдаты вели преследование отступающих войск.

  During the war, soldiers conducted the pursuit of retreating troops.

Second Meaning: Pursuit of goals, ambitions, or endeavors (e.g., in a metaphorical sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• стремление - Applied to personal or professional pursuits, like career goals or self-improvement; versatile in informal and motivational contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Его стремление к успеху вдохновляет всю команду.

  His pursuit of success inspires the entire team.

• В погоне за счастьем люди часто забывают о настоящем.

  In the pursuit of happiness, people often forget about the present.

• Стремление к знаниям — ключ к личному развитию.

  The pursuit of knowledge is the key to personal development.

• Ее стремление к совершенству делает ее отличным лидером.

  Her pursuit of perfection makes her an excellent leader.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns in Russian, with specific inflection patterns based on gender, number, and case. Russian nouns inflect for six cases (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, instrumental, prepositional) and number (singular and plural).

For преследование (neuter noun):

Note: This follows standard neuter noun patterns with no irregularities.

For стремление (neuter noun, similar pattern):

Note: Like преследование, it is a regular neuter noun with no special irregularities, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • охота (okhota) - More literal, often for hunting or eager pursuit; differs from преследование by implying enthusiasm.
  • погоня (pogonya) - Similar to преследование but with a sense of speed or chase in action contexts.
  • стрем (strem) - A less common variant for стремление, emphasizing direction toward a goal.
• Antonyms:
  • отступление (otstuplenie) - Retreat or giving up, opposite of active pursuit.
  • бездействие (bezdeystvie) - Inaction or passivity, contrasting with стремление.

Related Phrases:

• в погоне за (v pogone za) - In pursuit of; used for chasing goals, e.g., "in pursuit of dreams."
• стремление к совершенству (stremienie k sovershenstvu) - Pursuit of perfection; a common motivational phrase.
• преследование справедливости (presledovanie spravedlivosti) - Pursuit of justice; often in legal or ethical contexts.

Usage Notes:

Choose преследование for literal or formal pursuits, such as legal chases, to match the English "pursuit" in contexts like law enforcement. For abstract goals, like "pursuit of happiness," opt for стремление, which is more versatile in everyday conversation. Be mindful of Russian's case system: always adjust the noun based on its role in the sentence (e.g., genitive for possession). In formal writing, преследование is preferred, while стремление works well in motivational or informal speech. Avoid direct word-for-word translations; consider the context to select the appropriate synonym.

Common Errors:

• Confusing преследование with погоня: Learners might use преследование interchangeably with погоня, but погоня implies a faster, more dynamic chase. Error: "Я веду погоню за целью" (incorrect if meaning steady pursuit). Correct: "Я испытываю стремление к цели." Explanation: Use стремление for goals to avoid implying physical speed.

• Overusing in wrong cases: English speakers often forget inflections, e.g., saying "о преследование" instead of "о преследовании." Error: "Я думаю о преследование." Correct: "Я думаю о преследовании." Explanation: Always apply the prepositional case for "about" phrases.

• Mixing with English structure: Treating it as unchangeable, like English nouns. Error: "Мое преследование счастья" (should be "Мое стремление к счастью"). Correct: Adjust for genitive. Explanation: Russian requires prepositions and cases that English doesn't, so practice sentence building.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "pursuit" as in стремление often ties to historical themes like the Soviet-era emphasis on collective goals and personal ambition in literature (e.g., in works by Tolstoy, where pursuit of ideals reflects moral struggles). Преследование can evoke connotations of political repression, as seen in 20th-century history, so use it carefully in sensitive contexts to avoid unintended historical references.

Related Concepts:

• охота
• цель
• амбиция
• стрем