Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rejection'

English Word: rejection

Key Russian Translations:

• отказ [ɐtˈkas] - [Formal, Common in everyday and official contexts]
• отвержение [ɐdvɪrˈʐɛnʲɪje] - [Formal, Often used in emotional or psychological contexts, Plural possible]

Frequency: High (The word 'отказ' is frequently used in Russian conversations, media, and official documents, while 'отвержение' is medium-frequency in literary or therapeutic discussions.)

Difficulty: A2 for 'отказ' (Basic level, suitable for beginners as it's a straightforward noun); B1 for 'отвержение' (Intermediate, due to its abstract connotations and potential for inflection variations).

Pronunciation (Russian):

отказ: [ɐtˈkas]

отвержение: [ɐdvɪrˈʐɛnʲɪje]

Note on отказ: The stress falls on the second syllable; be mindful of the soft 'з' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers as it's similar to 's' in "measure".

Note on отвержение: Pronounce the 'ж' as a soft, voiced fricative; variations may occur in fast speech. This word has a more emphatic tone in emotional contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The act of refusing something offered or requested (e.g., in social or professional settings)

Translation(s) & Context:

• 'отказ' - Used in formal refusals, such as job applications or invitations; common in business or everyday interactions.
• 'отвержение' - Applied in contexts involving emotional rejection, like relationships or personal decisions.

Usage Examples:

• Я вынужден был дать отказ на их предложение. (I was forced to give a rejection to their offer.)

  English Translation: I was forced to reject their offer.

• Его отказ от проекта удивил всех. (His rejection of the project surprised everyone.)

  English Translation: His rejection of the project surprised everyone. (Note: Here, 'отказ' shows refusal in a professional context.)

• Психолог обсудил с ним его отвержение в детстве. (The psychologist discussed his rejection from childhood with him.)

  English Translation: The psychologist discussed his rejection from childhood with him. (This highlights emotional depth.)

• После отказа она почувствовала облегчение. (After the rejection, she felt relief.)

  English Translation: After the rejection, she felt relief. (Demonstrates 'отказ' in personal decision-making.)

Meaning 2: The state of being dismissed or excluded (e.g., in social or psychological contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• 'отвержение' - Often used for deeper exclusion, such as in therapy or literature; implies ongoing emotional impact.
• 'отказ' - In contexts of formal exclusion, like legal or administrative rejections.

Usage Examples:

• Его отвержение обществом привело к депрессии. (His rejection by society led to depression.)

  English Translation: His rejection by society led to depression. (Shows 'отвержение' in a social context.)

• Административный отказ был оформлен официально. (The administrative rejection was formalized.)

  English Translation: The administrative rejection was formalized. (Illustrates 'отказ' in bureaucratic settings.)

• Дети иногда переживают отвержение от сверстников. (Children sometimes experience rejection from their peers.)

  English Translation: Children sometimes experience rejection from their peers. (Emphasizes psychological aspects.)

• Её отказ участия в конкурсе был неожиданным. (Her rejection of participation in the competition was unexpected.)

  English Translation: Her rejection of participation in the competition was unexpected. (Varied grammatical structure with genitive case.)

• После отказа ему пришлось искать другие варианты. (After the rejection, he had to look for other options.)

  English Translation: After the rejection, he had to look for other options. (Common everyday usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'отказ' and 'отвержение' are masculine nouns in Russian, following standard declension patterns. 'Отказ' is a third-declension noun with regular inflections, while 'отвержение' is also regular but can vary in plural forms.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • отрицание (otritsanije) - More neutral, often used in philosophical contexts; differs from 'отказ' by implying denial rather than refusal.
  • неприятие (nepriyatiye) - Similar to 'отвержение', but with a broader emotional scope.
• Antonyms:
  • принятие (prinatiye) - Acceptance or approval.
  • согласие (soglasiye) - Agreement or consent.

Related Phrases:

• отказ от (otkaz ot) - Refusal of something; e.g., in contexts of giving up, like "отказ от курения" (giving up smoking).
• получить отказ (poluchit' otkaz) - To receive a rejection; common in job or relationship scenarios.
• эмоциональное отвержение (emotsional'noye otverzheniye) - Emotional rejection; used in psychological discussions to imply deeper impact.

Usage Notes:

• Russian 'отказ' directly corresponds to 'rejection' in formal English contexts, such as business or legal refusals, but avoid using it for emotional nuances where 'отвержение' is more appropriate.
• Be mindful of case usage: 'отказ' must agree with the sentence structure, e.g., in genitive for possession ("отказа в помощи" - rejection of help).
• In informal speech, 'отказ' is preferred for everyday rejections, while 'отвержение' suits literary or therapeutic settings. Choose based on context to avoid sounding overly dramatic.
• Grammar tip: These nouns often pair with verbs like 'дать' (to give) or 'получить' (to receive) to form phrases.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing the cases, e.g., using nominative 'отказ' in a genitive context like "Я боюсь отказ" instead of "Я боюсь отказа".
  Correct: "Я боюсь отказа" (I fear rejection). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; nominative is for subjects, genitive for possession or fear of something.
• Error: Overusing 'отвержение' in simple contexts, e.g., saying "Я получил отвержение на работу" instead of "Я получил отказ на работу".
  Correct: "Я получил отказ на работу" (I received a rejection for the job). Explanation: 'Отвержение' implies emotional depth, which may not fit professional scenarios.
• Error: Mispronouncing the stress, e.g., stressing the first syllable of 'отказ'.
  Correct Pronunciation: [ɐtˈkas]. Explanation: Incorrect stress can alter perceived meaning or make the word sound unnatural to native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'отказ' or 'отвержение' often carries a stoic connotation, reflecting historical influences like Soviet-era resilience. For instance, rejection in personal relationships might be expressed indirectly to maintain social harmony, emphasizing collectivism over individualism. This contrasts with more direct Western approaches, helping English speakers understand subtleties in communication.

Related Concepts:

• отрицание (otritsanije)
• неприятие (nepriyatiye)
• исключение (isklyucheniye)