Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'robbery'

English Word: robbery

Key Russian Translations:

• Ограбление (/ɐˈɡrabʲlʲɪnʲɪje/) - [Formal, Noun, Used in legal or crime contexts]
• Грабёж (/ˈɡrabʲjɪʐ/) - [Informal, Noun, Plural forms possible, Used in everyday speech or historical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in news, legal discussions, and crime-related narratives, but not in casual everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level, as it involves understanding noun declensions and crime-related vocabulary; for 'ограбление', B2; for 'грабёж', B1 due to simpler forms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Ограбление: /ɐˈɡrabʲlʲɪnʲɪje/

Note on Ограбление: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'б' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft 'l' as in 'million'.

Грабёж: /ˈɡrabʲjɪʐ/

Note on Грабёж: The 'ё' sound is distinct and often softened; it's similar to 'yo' in 'yoga', but ensure the 'ж' is voiced like the 's' in 'measure'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The act of stealing from someone, often using force or threat.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Ограбление - Used in formal contexts like police reports or legal documents, emphasizing a violent or planned theft.
• Грабёж - Applied in informal or historical settings, such as describing raids or everyday criminal acts.

Usage Examples:

• Вчера произошло ограбление банка в центре города.

  Yesterday, a bank robbery occurred in the city center.

• Преступники совершили грабёж, угрожая жертве оружием.

  The criminals carried out a robbery, threatening the victim with a weapon.

• Ограбление музея вызвало большой резонанс в обществе.

  The museum robbery caused a significant stir in society.

• В исторических текстах часто упоминается грабёж деревень во время войн.

  Historical texts often mention the robbery of villages during wars.

• Чтобы предотвратить ограбление, установили дополнительные камеры наблюдения.

  To prevent a robbery, they installed additional surveillance cameras.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'ограбление' and 'грабёж' are nouns. 'Ограбление' is a neuter noun with regular declension, while 'грабёж' is also neuter but can vary slightly. Below is a table for their key inflections:

Note: These nouns follow standard neuter patterns, but 'грабёж' may have slight irregularities in plural forms in poetic or archaic usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Кража (theft; more general and less violent)
  • Разбой (banditry; implies organized crime)
• Antonyms:
  • Возмещение (compensation; returning what was taken)
  • Защита (protection; preventing theft)

Related Phrases:

• Вооружённый грабёж - Armed robbery; used for crimes involving weapons.
• Ограбление с проникновением - Burglary with entry; refers to breaking into a building.
• Массовое ограбление - Mass robbery; describes large-scale thefts like in heists.

Usage Notes:

'Ограбление' is the most precise translation for 'robbery' in modern Russian, especially in formal contexts, as it directly conveys the element of force or threat. In contrast, 'грабёж' is more archaic or informal and might be used in literature or historical discussions. English speakers should note that Russian nouns like these decline based on case, so always adjust for grammar (e.g., use genitive for possession). When choosing between translations, opt for 'ограбление' in everyday or legal scenarios for accuracy.

• Context matters: 'Грабёж' can imply a more brutal or historical act, while 'ограбление' is neutral.
• Grammar tip: Always pair with appropriate verbs like 'совершить' (to commit) for active voice.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'ограбление' with 'кража' (theft), thinking they are identical. For example, a common mistake is saying "Я совершил кража" instead of "Я совершил ограбление" when force was involved. Correct usage: Use 'ограбление' for violent thefts and 'кража' for non-violent ones. Another error is improper declension, like using nominative in all cases: Incorrect - "Из-за ограбление" (should be "Из-за ограбления" in genitive). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always check the sentence structure to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'ограбление' are often associated with media portrayals of crime in urban areas, influenced by historical events such as the lawlessness during the post-Soviet era. This can add a layer of connotation related to social instability, making the word not just about the act but also about broader societal issues like corruption or economic disparity.

Related Concepts:

• Кража
• Воровство
• Преступление
• Похищение