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сфера Primary Russian translation

Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'purview'

English Word: purview

Key Russian Translations:

  • сфера [ˈsfʲɪ.rə] - [Formal, commonly used in legal, professional, or academic contexts]
  • полномочия [pɐlˈnomət͡ɕɪ.jə] - [Formal, often in administrative or governmental settings; Plural]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in written and formal spoken Russian, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and formal vocabulary. For 'сфера', it's B2; for 'полномочия', it's B2-C1 due to its plural and legal connotations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сфера: [ˈsfʲɪ.rə]

Note on сфера: The stress falls on the first syllable ('sfʲɪ'). Be mindful of the palatalized 's' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'r' in some dialects.

полномочия: [pɐlˈnomət͡ɕɪ.jə]

Note on полномочия: The 't͡ɕ' is a soft 'ch' sound, similar to 'church' in English, but more palatalized. Stress is on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The scope or range of an activity, subject, or authority.
Translation(s) & Context:
  • сфера - Used in formal contexts to denote the boundaries or domain of influence, such as in business or law. Often implies a broader, more abstract scope.
  • полномочия - Applied when referring to specific powers or jurisdictions, especially in official or bureaucratic settings. Implies legal authority and is typically plural.
Usage Examples:
  • Эта сфера деятельности выходит за рамки наших полномочий.

    This purview of activity goes beyond our authority.

  • В своей сфере, он является экспертом по международному праву.

    In his purview, he is an expert in international law.

  • Компания расширяет свою сферу влияния на новые рынки.

    The company is expanding its purview to new markets.

  • Его полномочия не включают принятие таких решений.

    His purview does not include making such decisions.

  • Сфера применения этого закона ограничена определенными регионами.

    The purview of this law is limited to specific regions.

Meaning 2: The range of vision or oversight in a metaphorical sense.
Translation(s) & Context:
  • сфера - Less common, but used metaphorically in discussions of perception or oversight.
Usage Examples:
  • Ее сфера видения охватывает как прошлое, так и будущее.

    Her purview encompasses both the past and the future.

  • В этой роли его сфера контроля расширяется.

    In this role, his purview of control is expanding.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'сфера' is a feminine noun in the first declension, which follows regular patterns in Russian. It changes based on case and number. 'полномочия' is a plural-only noun and follows patterns for neuter or mixed declensions.

Case/Number сфера (Singular) полномочия (Plural Only)
Nominative сфера полномочия
Genitive сферы полномочий
Dative сфере полномочиям
Accusative сферу полномочия
Instrumental сферой полномочиями
Prepositional сфере полномочиях

Note: 'сфера' is invariant in plural forms when used generically, but 'полномочия' does not have a singular form and must always be treated as plural.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

  • Synonyms: область (more geographical or broad); круг (emphasizes a circle or group, with subtle differences in connotation for social contexts)
  • Antonyms: вне сферы (outside the purview); ограничения (limitations, implying the opposite boundary)

Related Phrases:

  • В своей сфере - In one's purview; Used to indicate expertise within a specific domain.
  • Расширить сферу влияния - To expand one's purview; Common in business or political contexts.
  • За пределами полномочий - Beyond the purview; Often in legal discussions to denote exceeding authority.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'сфера' is a versatile term that directly corresponds to the English 'purview' in abstract senses, but it may feel more neutral and less legalistic. Choose 'полномочия' when emphasizing official authority, as it aligns with contexts like government or corporate roles. Be cautious with declensions: always adjust for case to maintain grammatical accuracy. In informal speech, native speakers might prefer simpler alternatives, so 'сфера' is ideal for written or formal English-to-Russian translations.

  • Avoid direct word-for-word translation; consider the context to select the appropriate term.
  • In plural forms like 'полномочия', ensure subject-verb agreement in sentences.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse 'сфера' by treating it as unchangeable, leading to incorrect declensions. For example, incorrect: "Я работаю в сфера" (should be "в сфере" in prepositional case). Correct usage: "Я работаю в сфере IT" (I work in the purview of IT). Another error is confusing 'полномочия' with 'власть' (power), which is broader; this can alter the meaning. Always check for plural agreement to avoid such mistakes.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'сфера' often carry implications of hierarchical structures, reflecting the historical influence of Soviet-era bureaucracy. For instance, discussions of 'полномочия' in modern Russia may evoke themes of state control, helping English users understand the subtle undertones in legal or political contexts.

Related Concepts:

  • область
  • круг
  • влияние