Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sabotage'

English Word: sabotage

Key Russian Translations:

• саботаж [səbɐˈtaʒ] - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (This word is encountered in contexts like politics, history, and business, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and formal vocabulary, as per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

саботаж: [səbɐˈtaʒ]

Note on саботаж: The stress falls on the second syllable ('taʒ'). Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional accents, such as in faster speech where the 's' sound softens. Be mindful of the palatalized 't' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Deliberate destruction or disruption of operations, often for political or strategic reasons

Translation(s) & Context:

• саботаж - Used in formal contexts such as military, industrial, or espionage scenarios to describe intentional sabotage acts.

Usage Examples:

• Они организовали саботаж на железной дороге во время войны.

  They organized sabotage on the railway during the war.

• Саботаж фабрики привел к значительным убыткам для компании.

  The sabotage of the factory led to significant losses for the company.

• Правительство обвинило оппозицию в саботаже национальных проектов.

  The government accused the opposition of sabotaging national projects.

• Акт саботажа был частью более широкой стратегии сопротивления.

  The act of sabotage was part of a broader resistance strategy.

• В романе описывается саботаж, совершенный шпионами.

  The novel describes sabotage carried out by spies.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Саботаж" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • диверсия (diversiya) - Often used interchangeably, but implies more covert or military actions.
  • вредительство (vreditelstvo) - Emphasizes harmful interference, with a connotation of internal betrayal.
• Antonyms:
  • сотрудничество (sotrudnichestvo) - Cooperation, highlighting productive collaboration.
  • поддержка (podderzhka) - Support, contrasting with destructive actions.

Related Phrases:

• Акты саботажа - Acts of sabotage; Used in historical or news contexts to describe multiple incidents.
• Организовать саботаж - To organize sabotage; Common in discussions of planned disruptions.
• Саботаж на предприятии - Sabotage in an enterprise; Refers to industrial or business settings.

Usage Notes:

"Саботаж" directly corresponds to the English "sabotage" in formal and professional contexts, such as legal, military, or historical discussions. It is typically used in written Russian or formal speech, avoiding casual conversations. When choosing between synonyms like "диверсия," opt for "саботаж" if the intent is general disruption rather than espionage. Grammatically, always decline it according to the sentence structure, e.g., in genitive case for possession: "план саботажа" (plan of sabotage).

Common Errors:

• Confusing "саботаж" with "саботажный" (sabotazhnyy, meaning "sabotage-related" as an adjective). Error: Using "саботаж" as an adjective, e.g., "саботаж действие" (incorrect). Correct: "саботажное действие" (sabotage action). Explanation: Russian requires proper adjective agreement for descriptions.

• Forgetting to decline the noun in sentences. Error: Saying "в саботаж" instead of "в саботаже" in prepositional case. Correct: "Участие в саботаже" (Participation in sabotage). Explanation: This is a common mistake for English speakers unfamiliar with Russian case systems, leading to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, "саботаж" is often associated with events like the Soviet era, where it was linked to counter-revolutionary activities or industrial sabotage during wars. This term carries a strong connotation of betrayal or resistance, reflecting Russia's complex history of espionage and internal conflicts, which can add nuance when used in literature or media.

Related Concepts:

• диверсия
• шпионаж
• вредительство