Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'reliability'

English Word: reliability

Key Russian Translations:

• надежность [nɐˈdʲeʐnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, often used in technical, professional, or everyday contexts]
• надёжность [nɐˈdʲoʐnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, archaic variant with a different spelling; [Used in older texts or poetic language]]

Frequency: Medium (Common in professional, technical, and everyday discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "дом" [house].)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of abstract concepts and noun declensions. For "надежность", it's B2; for "надёжность", it might be C1 due to its archaic nature.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

надежность: [nɐˈdʲeʐnəsʲtʲ]

надёжность: [nɐˈdʲoʐnəsʲtʲ]

Note on надежность: The stress falls on the second syllable; be mindful of the soft "ж" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to its palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The quality of being reliable, dependable, or trustworthy (e.g., in machinery, people, or systems)

Translation(s) & Context:

• надежность - Used in formal contexts like engineering or personal reliability, e.g., when discussing product quality or character traits.
• надёжность - A less common variant, often in literary or historical contexts, implying a more enduring or traditional sense of dependability.

Usage Examples:

• Эта машина известна своей высокой надежностью в суровых погодных условиях.

  This car is known for its high reliability in harsh weather conditions.

• В работе с клиентами важна не только скорость, но и надежность услуг.

  In working with clients, not only speed but also the reliability of services is important.

• Надёжность друзей проверяется в трудные моменты жизни.

  The reliability of friends is tested in difficult moments of life. (Note: This uses the variant for a more poetic tone.)

• Инженеры тестируют надежность моста перед открытием для транспорта.

  Engineers test the reliability of the bridge before opening it to traffic.

• Без надежности в технологиях современный мир не смог бы функционировать эффективно.

  Without reliability in technology, the modern world wouldn't be able to function effectively.

Secondary meaning: Consistency or predictability in performance or behavior

Translation(s) & Context:

• надежность - Applied in contexts emphasizing long-term stability, such as in statistics or psychology.

Usage Examples:

• Надежность данных в этом отчете подтверждена несколькими источниками.

  The reliability of the data in this report is confirmed by several sources.

• Для успеха проекта требуется надежность команды в выполнении задач.

  For the project's success, the reliability of the team in completing tasks is required.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "надежность" and "надёжность" are feminine nouns (3rd declension in Russian). They follow standard noun declension patterns, which are regular but require attention to case endings. Below is a table for "надежность" as an example; "надёжность" follows the same pattern.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners, but always pay attention to the soft sign (ь) which affects pronunciation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • устойчивость [ustaivost'] - Emphasizes stability over pure reliability.
  • надёжность (as a variant) - Similar but with a more traditional connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • ненадежность [nɪnɐˈdʲeʐnəsʲtʲ] - Direct opposite, meaning unreliability.
  • нестабильность [nʲɪstɐˈbʲilʲnəsʲtʲ] - Implies instability or inconsistency.

Related Phrases:

• Высокая надежность - High reliability; Used in product descriptions or evaluations.
• Гарантия надежности - Guarantee of reliability; Common in contracts or warranties.
• Потеря надежности - Loss of reliability; Refers to situations where something becomes undependable.

Usage Notes:

"Надежность" directly corresponds to the English "reliability" in most contexts, making it a precise translation for abstract qualities. However, it is more commonly used in formal or technical settings; in casual speech, Russians might imply reliability through phrases rather than the word itself. Be cautious with word order in sentences, as Russian often places the noun in different positions for emphasis. When choosing between "надежность" and "надёжность", opt for the former in modern usage; the latter is better for literary or historical texts. Grammatically, always decline it according to the case required by the sentence structure.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "надежность" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я доверяю надежность" instead of "Я доверяю этой надежности" (I trust this reliability).
  Correct: "Я доверяю этой надежности." Explanation: Nouns in Russian must agree in case; here, it should be in the dative case.
• Mistake: Confusing it with "надежда" (hope), leading to sentences like "Эта машина имеет надежду" instead of "Эта машина имеет надежность."
  Correct: "Эта машина имеет надежность." Explanation: "Надежда" means hope, not reliability, so ensure context matches the intended meaning.
• Mistake: Overusing in informal speech; e.g., saying "Мой друг имеет надежность" when a more natural phrase is "Мой друг надежен" (My friend is reliable).
  Correct: Use adjectives like "надежный" for people or objects in casual contexts. Explanation: Nouns like "надежность" are better for abstract discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "надежность" often carries a deeper connotation of moral steadfastness, especially in interpersonal relationships or national infrastructure. Historically, during the Soviet era, reliability was emphasized in engineering and manufacturing, symbolizing collective strength and endurance. This cultural emphasis can make the word feel more weighted in emotional or patriotic contexts compared to its neutral English counterpart.

Related Concepts:

• доверие [doverie] - Trust
• устойчивость [ustaivost'] - Stability
• качество [kachestvo] - Quality