Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'reprimand'

English Word: reprimand

Key Russian Translations:

• Выговор [vɨˈɡvor] - [Formal, used in official or professional contexts]
• Упрек [ʊˈprʲɛk] - [Informal, less severe and more everyday usage]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, workplace discussions, and legal contexts, but not as frequent as everyday words like "hello").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and formal language, but not advanced idiomatic expressions).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Выговор: [vɨˈɡvor] (The stress is on the second syllable; note the soft 'г' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to its velar quality.)

Упрек: [ʊˈprʲɛk] (Stress on the second syllable; the 'рʲ' is a palatalized 'r', common in Russian but distinct from English 'r' sounds.)

Note on Выговор: Be cautious with the vowel in the first syllable, which is a reduced [ɨ] sound, often muted in fast speech.

Note on Упрек: This word may vary slightly in regional dialects, with a softer 'к' in some areas.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A formal expression of disapproval or criticism, often in a professional or authoritative setting.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Выговор - Used in formal contexts like workplaces or official reprimands, e.g., in disciplinary actions.
• Упрек - Applied in informal or personal situations, such as family discussions, where criticism is milder.

Usage Examples:

• Начальник сделал выговор сотруднику за опоздание. (The boss gave the employee a reprimand for being late.)

  English Translation: The boss reprimanded the employee for being late.

• Родители часто дают упрек детям, чтобы научить их ответственности. (Parents often give a reprimand to children to teach them responsibility.)

  English Translation: Parents frequently reprimand children to instill responsibility.

• В суде судья вынес выговор обвиняемому за неуважение. (In court, the judge issued a reprimand to the defendant for disrespect.)

  English Translation: In court, the judge reprimanded the defendant for showing disrespect.

• Друг сделал упрек за мою забывчивость, но без злобы. (My friend gave me a mild reprimand for my forgetfulness, without any malice.)

  English Translation: My friend lightly reprimanded me for my forgetfulness, but without ill intent.

• Школьный директор объявил выговор ученику за хулиганство. (The school principal announced a reprimand to the student for misconduct.)

  English Translation: The school principal reprimanded the student for bad behavior.

Secondary Meaning: A less formal criticism or admonishment in everyday interactions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Упрек - Common in casual conversations, emphasizing emotional or relational dynamics.
• Выговор - Occasionally used in semi-formal settings, like educational environments.

Usage Examples:

• Она сделала упрек мужу за то, что он забыл день рождения. (She gave her husband a reprimand for forgetting her birthday.)

  English Translation: She reprimanded her husband for forgetting her birthday.

• В разговоре с другом я получил выговор за несерьезное отношение. (In a conversation with a friend, I received a reprimand for my careless attitude.)

  English Translation: During a talk with a friend, I got a reprimand for my irresponsible behavior.

• Упрек от коллеги помог мне осознать ошибку. (The reprimand from my colleague helped me realize my mistake.)

  English Translation: The reprimand from my colleague made me aware of my error.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Выговор" and "Упрек" are masculine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard first-declension patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. They are inflected based on case, number, and gender agreements. "Выговор" is regular, while "Упрек" has no irregularities.

These nouns do not change in plural forms as they are not commonly used in plural (e.g., "выговоры" for multiple reprimands, but it's rare). Always ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs based on the context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Наказание (more general, implying punishment)
  • Осуждение (focuses on moral judgment, often in social contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • Похвала (praise, positive feedback)
  • Одобрение (approval, endorsement)

Related Phrases:

• Дать выговор (To give a reprimand) - Used in formal settings to indicate issuing criticism.
• Получить упрек (To receive a reprimand) - Common in everyday conversations for personal feedback.
• Официальный выговор (Official reprimand) - Refers to documented or institutional criticism.

Usage Notes:

"Выговор" is the most direct equivalent to "reprimand" in formal English contexts, such as workplaces or legal scenarios, and should be used when the criticism is official. "Упрек" is better for informal or emotional situations. Always consider the context's formality; for instance, in Russian culture, public reprimands can carry more weight due to emphasis on hierarchy. When choosing between translations, opt for "выговор" in written or professional Russian, and "упрек" in spoken language. Grammatically, ensure proper case agreement, as these nouns decline based on their role in the sentence.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "выговор" in informal contexts where "упрек" is more appropriate, e.g., saying "Я дал выговор другу" instead of "Я дал упрек другу".
  Correct: "Я дал упрек другу" (I gave my friend a reprimand). Explanation: "Выговор" implies formality, which can sound overly severe in casual settings.
• Mistake: Forgetting noun declension, e.g., saying "Я получил выговор от начальнику" instead of "Я получил выговор от начальника".
  Correct: "Я получил выговор от начальника" (I received a reprimand from the boss). Explanation: The genitive case is required after prepositions like "от".
• Mistake: Confusing with similar words like "ругань" (which means scolding or quarreling, not a formal reprimand).
  Correct: Use "выговор" for structured criticism. Explanation: "Ругань" is more emotional and less official.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, a "выговор" often reflects the hierarchical and collectivist nature of society, where authority figures like bosses or teachers use it to maintain order. It can carry a stigma, emphasizing the importance of face-saving in interactions, unlike in some Western cultures where reprimands might be more direct and less formal.

Related Concepts:

• Наказание
• Осуждение
• Дисциплина