Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'reprieve'

English Word: reprieve

Key Russian Translations:

• Отсрочка [ɐtsˈroʧkə] - [Formal, Legal contexts]
• Передышка [pʲɪrʲɪˈdɨʂkə] - [Informal, Everyday situations for a brief rest]

Frequency: Medium (Common in legal, administrative, and conversational contexts, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of abstract concepts like delays or relief, with "Отсрочка" being slightly more challenging due to formal usage, while "Передышка" is easier for beginners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Отсрочка: [ɐtsˈroʧkə]

Note on Отсрочка: The stress falls on the second syllable ("ro"), which is common in Russian nouns. Be mindful of the soft "ч" sound, similar to "ch" in "church".

Передышка: [pʲɪrʲɪˈdɨʂkə]

Note on Передышка: The "ш" sound is a voiceless retroflex fricative, like "sh" in "rush", and the word has a rolling "р" that may vary by dialect.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A temporary relief from harm, punishment, or obligation (e.g., legal or formal reprieve)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Отсрочка - Used in formal settings like courts or official documents to indicate postponement of a sentence or deadline.

Usage Examples:

• Суд предоставил отсрочку приговора из-за новых обстоятельств.

  The court granted a reprieve of the sentence due to new circumstances.

• Правительство объявило отсрочку налоговых платежей для пострадавших от кризиса.

  The government announced a reprieve on tax payments for those affected by the crisis.

• Врачи попросили отсрочку операции, чтобы провести дополнительные тесты.

  The doctors requested a reprieve on the surgery to conduct further tests.

• Отсрочка выезда была необходима для завершения административных процедур.

  A reprieve on departure was needed to complete administrative procedures.

2. A brief period of rest or respite from stress or activity

Translation(s) & Context:

• Передышка - Applied in informal, everyday conversations to describe a short break, often in non-legal contexts like work or daily life.

Usage Examples:

• После тяжелого дня работы он взял передышку, чтобы отдохнуть.

  After a tough day of work, he took a reprieve to rest.

• Во время пробежки она сделала передышку у парка.

  During her run, she took a reprieve at the park.

• Передышка в переговорах позволила сторонам переосмыслить предложения.

  A reprieve in the negotiations allowed the parties to rethink their offers.

• Дети получили передышку от уроков во время каникул.

  The children got a reprieve from classes during the holidays.

• В жару передышка в тени деревьев была настоящим облегчением.

  In the heat, a reprieve in the shade of the trees was a real relief.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are nouns, but they follow different inflection patterns in Russian. "Отсрочка" is a feminine noun (3rd declension), while "Передышка" is also feminine but may vary slightly. Russian nouns inflect for case, number, and gender.

Note: These are regular feminine noun inflections. "Отсрочка" does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Помилование (more specific to pardon), Задержка (delay in a general sense) - Помилование implies a more official forgiveness, while Задержка is broader for any hold-up.
• Antonyms: Казнь (execution), Продолжение (continuation) - These represent the opposite of relief or delay.

Related Phrases:

• Отсрочка платежа - A deferral of payment, often used in financial contexts.
• Передышка в работе - A break at work, indicating a pause for rest in professional settings.
• Краткая передышка - A short reprieve, emphasizing brevity in informal conversations.

Usage Notes:

Use "Отсрочка" for formal or legal scenarios, as it directly aligns with the English "reprieve" in contexts like court decisions. "Передышка" is better for everyday, informal situations involving a quick rest. Always consider the context to choose the right translation; for example, in legal English, "Отсрочка" is more precise. Grammatically, these nouns require appropriate case agreement with prepositions (e.g., "в отсрочке" for "in a reprieve"). Learners should note that Russian often requires specifying the type of reprieve for clarity.

Common Errors:

• Mistaking "Отсрочка" for "Отказ" (refusal): English learners might confuse it with denial. Incorrect: "Суд дал отказ" (The court gave a refusal). Correct: "Суд дал отсрочку" (The court granted a reprieve). Explanation: "Отказ" means outright rejection, not a delay.
• Using "Передышка" in formal contexts: Incorrect: "В контракте указано передышка" (In the contract, it states a break). Correct: "В контракте указано отсрочка" (In the contract, it states a reprieve). Explanation: "Передышка" is too casual for official documents.
• Forgetting inflections: Incorrect: "Я прошу отсрочка" (I request reprieve, with wrong case). Correct: "Я прошу отсрочку" (I request a reprieve, accusative case). Explanation: Russian verbs require nouns in the correct case based on the sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "Отсрочка" often tie to historical events, such as amnesties during Soviet times or modern legal reforms, symbolizing mercy or state benevolence. "Передышка" reflects the value placed on resilience in daily life, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works, where brief respites highlight human endurance amid hardship.

Related Concepts:

• Амнистия (amnesty)
• Помилование (pardon)
• Задержка (delay)