Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'reputation'

English Word: reputation

Key Russian Translations:

• Репутация [rʲɪpʊ'tatsɨə] - [Formal, often used in professional or business contexts]
• Имидж [ˈimʲɪʐ] - [Informal, borrowed from English, used in modern or marketing contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, business discussions, and media, but not in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding borrowed words and basic noun inflections; for 'Репутация', it's straightforward, but 'Имидж' may require familiarity with loanwords)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Репутация: [rʲɪpʊ'tatsɨə]

Имидж: [ˈimʲɪʐ]

Note on Репутация: The stress falls on the third syllable ('ta'), which is a common point of difficulty for English speakers due to the soft 'r' sound (palatalized). Pronunciation can vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something (e.g., a person's standing or a company's image).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Репутация - Used in formal contexts, such as legal, business, or academic discussions, to denote a stable and established opinion.
• Имидж - Applied in informal or contemporary settings, like advertising or social media, to imply a more superficial or managed perception.

Usage Examples:

• Его репутация в компании всегда была безупречной, несмотря на трудности.

  His reputation in the company has always been impeccable, despite the difficulties.

• Эта фирма потеряла имидж из-за скандала с коррупцией.

  This firm lost its image due to the corruption scandal.

• В интернете можно легко повредить репутацию человека фейковыми отзывами.

  On the internet, it's easy to damage a person's reputation with fake reviews.

• Политик работает над улучшением своего имиджа перед выборами.

  The politician is working on improving his image before the elections.

• Репутация хорошего специалиста открывает многие двери в бизнесе.

  A reputation as a good specialist opens many doors in business.

2. A specific aspect of fame or notoriety (e.g., in historical or cultural contexts).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Репутация - Used when referring to long-term or historical perceptions, often in literary or formal narratives.

Usage Examples:

• Историческая репутация Наполеона как гения войны все еще обсуждается учеными.

  Napoleon's historical reputation as a military genius is still debated by scholars.

• Ее репутация в обществе пострадала из-за ложных обвинений.

  Her reputation in society suffered due to false accusations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Репутация' is a feminine noun (1st declension). It follows standard Russian noun inflections for gender, number, and case. It is invariable in the plural form as it typically refers to a singular concept, but can be used in plural for multiple entities.

For 'Имидж', it is also a masculine noun and follows similar patterns, but it is less inflected in informal use: Nominative: Имидж; Genitive: Имиджа; etc. It remains relatively stable due to its loanword status.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Доброе имя (implies a positive, moral standing; more traditional than 'Репутация')
  • Авторитет (focuses on authority and respect in professional contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • Позор (shame or disgrace, emphasizing negative perception)
  • Недобросовестность (dishonesty, contrasting with a good reputation)

Related Phrases:

• Повредить репутацию - To damage one's reputation (used in contexts of scandals or mistakes).
• Поддерживать имидж - To maintain an image (common in marketing or personal branding).
• Репутация на кону - Reputation at stake (idiomatic, similar to English, in high-risk situations).

Usage Notes:

'Репутация' directly corresponds to the English 'reputation' in formal settings, emphasizing long-term public opinion, while 'Имидж' is closer to 'image' and is preferred in modern, visual or media-related contexts. Be cautious with case inflections; for example, use the genitive 'Репутации' after prepositions like 'из-за' (because of). In Russian, reputation often carries a more serious connotation, tied to societal judgment, so avoid using it lightly in casual speech. When choosing between translations, opt for 'Репутация' in business or historical discussions and 'Имидж' for contemporary topics.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse the case of 'Репутация', e.g., saying "из репутация" instead of the correct genitive "из репутации". Correct usage: "Из-за репутации" (Because of the reputation). Explanation: Russian requires the genitive case after certain prepositions.
• Confusing 'Репутация' with 'Имидж' by using them interchangeably; for instance, saying 'Имидж компании безупречна' when 'Репутация компании безупречна' is more appropriate for formal contexts. Correct: Use 'Имидж' only if focusing on outward appearance.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'Репутация' is deeply tied to concepts of honor and social standing, influenced by historical traditions like the importance of 'честь' (honor) in literature and society. For example, in classic Russian novels by authors like Tolstoy, a character's reputation can dictate their fate, reflecting a cultural emphasis on collective opinion over individual perception.

Related Concepts:

• Честь (honor)
• Авторитет (authority)
• Доброе имя (good name)