Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rejoinder'

English Word: rejoinder

Key Russian Translations:

• реплика [rʲɪˈplʲikə] - [Formal, used in debates or dialogues]
• ответ [ɐˈtvʲɛt] - [General, informal contexts]
• возражение [vəzraˈʐɛnʲijɛ] - [Formal, legal or argumentative settings]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal writing and discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and contextual usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

реплика: [rʲɪˈplʲikə]

ответ: [ɐˈtvʲɛt]

возражение: [vəzraˈʐɛnʲijɛ]

Note on реплика: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations may occur in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A sharp or witty response in a conversation or debate

Translation(s) & Context:

• реплика - Used in formal discussions or literature to denote a quick retort.
• ответ - Applied in everyday contexts for a simple reply, less emphatic.

Usage Examples:

• Его реплика в споре была убедительной и остроумной.

  His rejoinder in the argument was convincing and witty.

• В ответ на критику, она дала быструю реплику.

  In response to the criticism, she gave a quick rejoinder.

• Его ответ прозвучал как слабая реплика, не убедившая оппонента.

  His answer sounded like a weak rejoinder, not convincing the opponent.

• В дискуссии коллега выдвинул возражение, которое послужило репликой к моему предложению.

  In the discussion, my colleague raised an objection that served as a rejoinder to my proposal.

• Она не ожидала такой быстрой реплики от собеседника.

  She didn't expect such a quick rejoinder from her conversation partner.

Secondary Meaning: A response in a legal or formal setting

Translation(s) & Context:

• возражение - Specifically in legal or formal debates, implying opposition.

Usage Examples:

• Судья не принял его возражение как допустимую реплику.

  The judge did not accept his objection as a valid rejoinder.

• В переписке адвокат предоставил возражение в качестве реплики на иск.

  In the correspondence, the lawyer provided an objection as a rejoinder to the claim.

• Его возражение прозвучало как сильная реплика в зале суда.

  His objection sounded like a strong rejoinder in the courtroom.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Реплика" is a feminine noun (feminine gender in Russian). It follows the standard first declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -а. Below is a table of its inflections:

"Ответ" is a masculine noun with standard declensions, but it is less variable in common usage. "Возражение" is a neuter noun and follows irregular patterns; it remains mostly unchanged in informal contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • комментарий [kəmʲɛnˈtarʲij] - More neutral, often used for comments in media.
  • замечание [zəmʲɪˈtɕanʲijɛ] - Implies a remark or observation, with subtle differences in tone.
• Antonyms:
  • вопрос [vopros] - A question, contrasting as it initiates rather than responds.
  • молчание [məlʲtɕanʲijɛ] - Silence, indicating no response at all.

Related Phrases:

• Быстрая реплика - A quick rejoinder; used in fast-paced conversations to emphasize immediacy.
• Остроумная реплика - A witty rejoinder; highlights humor in responses.
• Реплика в споре - Rejoinder in an argument; common in debates to denote counterpoints.

Usage Notes:

"Реплика" is the most precise translation for "rejoinder" in formal contexts, such as literature or debates, while "ответ" is better for everyday replies. English users should note that Russian requires attention to gender and case—e.g., "реплика" must agree with adjectives and verbs. In informal speech, "ответ" might be preferred to avoid sounding overly formal. When choosing between translations, consider the context: use "возражение" for legal settings to convey opposition.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "реплика" in plural form incorrectly, e.g., saying "репликас" instead of "реплики".
  Correct: "Реплики" (plural nominative). Explanation: Russian nouns follow specific declension rules; always check the case for agreement.
• Mistake: Confusing "реплика" with "ответ" in formal debates, leading to a less emphatic response.
  Correct: Opt for "реплика" for a sharp retort. Explanation: "Ответ" is too general and may dilute the intended meaning of a witty comeback.
• Mistake: Mispronouncing the soft consonants, e.g., hardening the 'л' in "реплика".
  Correct: Pronounce as [rʲɪˈplʲikə] with a soft 'л'. Explanation: This can make the word sound unnatural to native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, a "реплика" often appears in literary works like those of Chekhov or Dostoevsky, where witty rejoinders highlight character dynamics. It reflects the value placed on intellectual discourse in Russian society, where debates are common in social and political contexts.

Related Concepts:

• диалог [dʲiɐˈloɡ]
• дискуссия [dʲisˈkusʲijə]
• аргумент [arɡuˈmʲɛnt]