Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'reproof'

English Word: reproof

Key Russian Translations:

• упрек [ʊˈprʲek] - [Noun, Formal]
• упрекать [ʊprʲɪˈkatʲ] - [Verb, Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature, formal writing, and discussions, but not in everyday casual speech).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and verb conjugations; for 'упрекать', it may vary slightly based on context).

Pronunciation (Russian):

упрек: [ʊˈprʲek]

Note on упрек: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'р' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

упрекать: [ʊprʲɪˈkatʲ]

Note on упрекать: This is a verb with a soft ending; the 'ть' is pronounced softly, and it often involves palatalization in conjugation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: An expression of criticism or disapproval (as a noun).

Translation(s) & Context:

• упрек - Used in formal contexts, such as in professional settings or written critiques, to denote mild but direct disapproval.

Usage Examples:

• Его упрек за опоздание был справедливым, но не слишком суровым.

  His reproof for being late was fair but not too harsh.

• В её глазах сквозил упрек, когда она услышала об ошибке.

  There was a reproof in her eyes when she heard about the mistake.

• Упрек родителей помог ему понять последствия его действий.

  The reproof from his parents helped him understand the consequences of his actions.

• Этот упрек в статье ясно указывал на недостатки системы.

  This reproof in the article clearly pointed out the system's flaws.

Meaning 2: To express criticism or disapproval (as a verb).

Translation(s) & Context:

• упрекать - Used in narrative or formal speech to describe the act of reproving someone, often implying a gentle or indirect approach.

Usage Examples:

• Она не хотела упрекать его, но всё же высказала своё недовольство.

  She didn't want to reproof him, but she still expressed her dissatisfaction.

• Учитель упрекал ученика за неисполнение домашних заданий.

  The teacher reproved the student for not doing the homework.

• Друзья иногда упрекают друг друга, чтобы поддерживать отношения.

  Friends sometimes reprove each other to maintain their relationship.

• В письме он упрекал коллегу за допущенные ошибки.

  In the letter, he reproved his colleague for the mistakes made.

• Родители упрекают детей, чтобы научить их ответственности.

  Parents reprove their children to teach them responsibility.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'упрек' (a masculine noun, 3rd declension), it follows standard Russian noun patterns with changes based on case and number:

For 'упрекать' (a verb, imperfective aspect), it conjugates irregularly in some tenses. Here is a basic present tense conjugation:

Note: This verb has a perfective counterpart 'упрекнуть', which is used for completed actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: порицание (poritsaniye) - More formal, often used in official contexts; выговор (vyigor) - Similar but implies a stronger tone in disciplinary settings.
• Antonyms: похвала (pohvala) - Praise, which is the opposite in expressing approval.

Related Phrases:

• Заслуженный упрек - A well-deserved reproof; used when criticism is justified based on actions.
• Неприятный упрек - An unpleasant reproof; implies emotional discomfort in the context of rebuke.
• Упрек в адрес кого-то - Reproof directed at someone; a common phrase for specifying the target.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'упрек' and 'упрекать' are more formal equivalents to 'reproof' and correspond closely in meaning, but they often carry a nuance of gentle criticism rather than harsh rebuke. Use 'упрек' in written or professional contexts, and 'упрекать' for actions in narratives. Be mindful of Russian's aspect system: 'упрекать' is imperfective (ongoing action), while 'упрекнуть' is perfective (completed). When choosing between translations, opt for 'упрек' if the context is nominal, and 'упрекать' if verbal. Grammar note: Always decline nouns like 'упрек' according to case for correct sentence structure.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'упрек' without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я слышал упрек" instead of "Я слышал упрек" (correct, but learners might forget in other cases like genitive: "от упрека"). Correct: Ensure the noun agrees with the case, e.g., "Я боюсь упрека" (genitive). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing 'упрекать' with 'порицать' (to condemn), e.g., using 'упрекать' in a context that demands a stronger term. Correct: Use 'упрекать' for mild reproof and 'порицать' for severe criticism. Explanation: These words have overlapping meanings, but 'упрекать' is less intense, so misusing it can soften the intended message.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, direct reproof like 'упрек' is often avoided in personal interactions to maintain harmony, especially in familial or social settings. Instead, it might be implied through indirect language or expressions, reflecting the value placed on collectivism and avoiding confrontation, unlike more direct Western styles.

Related Concepts:

• критика (kritika) - Criticism
• осуждение (osuzhdeniye) - Condemnation
• порицание (poritsaniye) - Disapproval