Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'responsibility'

English Word: responsibility

Key Russian Translations:

• ответственность /ɐt.vʲɛt.stvʲɪn.nɔsʲtʲ/ - [Formal, Singular]
• обязанность /ɐ.bə.zan.nɔsʲtʲ/ - [Formal, Plural or Contextual, Used in legal or moral obligations]

Frequency: High (Common in everyday, professional, and educational contexts in Russian-speaking regions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and abstract concepts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ответственность: /ɐt.vʲɛt.stvʲɪn.nɔsʲtʲ/

обязанность: /ɐ.bə.zan.nɔsʲtʲ/

Note on ответственность: The stress falls on the fourth syllable (-носʲтʲ), which can be tricky for beginners due to the consonant clusters; slight variations may occur in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ответственность - Used in formal settings like work or ethics, emphasizing accountability.
• обязанность - Applied in contexts involving legal or moral duties, often plural for multiple obligations.

Usage Examples:

• Я беру на себя ответственность за этот проект.

  I take responsibility for this project.

• В нашей компании каждый сотрудник имеет определённые обязанности.

  In our company, each employee has certain responsibilities.

• Ответственность родителей за воспитание детей — это основа общества.

  The responsibility of parents for raising children is the foundation of society.

• Он не выполнил свои обязанности, и это привело к проблемам.

  He did not fulfill his responsibilities, and it led to problems.

• Принятие ответственности за ошибки помогает в личностном росте.

  Taking responsibility for mistakes helps in personal growth.

2. The opportunity or ability to act independently and make decisions without authorization.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ответственность - In professional contexts, implying autonomy and trust.

Usage Examples:

• Эта должность требует полной ответственности и самостоятельности.

  This position requires full responsibility and independence.

• Дети учатся ответственности, когда им дают свободу выбора.

  Children learn responsibility when they are given freedom of choice.

• Ответственность в работе позволяет проявлять инициативу.

  Responsibility at work allows for taking initiative.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are feminine nouns in Russian, which follow standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. They are inflected based on case, number, and gender.

Note: These nouns do not change in a highly irregular way, but pay attention to the soft endings in genitive and dative forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • долг (duty; more moral connotation)
  • забота (care; implies nurturing responsibility)
• Antonyms:
  • безответственность (irresponsibility; direct opposite)
  • бездействие (inaction; when responsibility involves action)

Related Phrases:

• нести ответственность (to bear responsibility) - Implies taking on duties in a professional context.
• чувство ответственности (sense of responsibility) - Refers to an internal motivation or awareness.
• исполнять обязанности (to fulfill responsibilities) - Often used in formal or official settings.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "responsibility" is often translated as "ответственность" for abstract or personal contexts, while "обязанность" is preferred for concrete, task-oriented duties. Be mindful of the formal tone; these words are rarely used in casual conversations. When translating from English, consider the context: if it's about legal accountability, use "обязанность." Grammatically, these nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying words, such as adjectives or verbs.

• Choose "ответственность" for ethical or emotional responsibility.
• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; adapt based on Russian idiomatic expressions.

Common Errors:

One common mistake is confusing "ответственность" with "обязанность" in contexts where precision is needed; for example, learners might say "Я имею ответственность" instead of "Я несу ответственность," which sounds unnatural. Correct usage: Use "нести ответственность" for taking on responsibility. Another error is incorrect declension, such as using the nominative form in all cases, e.g., "о ответственность" instead of "об ответственности." Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always check the sentence structure for proper inflection.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "ответственность" are deeply tied to collectivism and historical influences from Soviet-era emphasis on communal duties. For instance, it often extends beyond individual actions to societal obligations, reflecting values in literature like Tolstoy's works, where personal responsibility intersects with moral and social themes.

Related Concepts:

• этика (ethics)
• самоконтроль (self-control)
• обязательство (commitment)