Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sake'

English Word: sake

Key Russian Translations:

• ради [ˈradʲɪ] - [Formal, used in written and spoken contexts for expressing purpose or benefit]
• в интересах [v ɪn.tʲeˈres.ɐx] - [Formal, often in legal or official contexts]
• из-за [ɪzˈza] - [Informal, when implying a cause or reason, though less precise for 'sake']

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday Russian conversations, literature, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic prepositions like "для").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of prepositional phrases and context, per CEFR standards. For 'в интересах', it may lean towards B2 due to its formal usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ради: [ˈradʲɪ]

в интересах: [v ɪn.tʲeˈres.ɐx]

из-за: [ɪzˈza]

Note on ради: The stress is on the first syllable; be mindful of the soft 'd' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers due to its palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Purpose, benefit, or regard for someone or something (e.g., "for the sake of peace").

Translation(s) & Context:

• ради - Used in contexts emphasizing motivation or sacrifice, such as in philosophical or emotional discussions.
• в интересах - Applied in formal or professional settings, like policy-making, to denote broader benefits.

Usage Examples:

• Ради мира мы должны пойти на компромисс. (Radi mira my dolzhny pojti na kompromiss.)

  For the sake of peace, we must make a compromise. (This example shows 'ради' in a diplomatic context, highlighting purpose in negotiations.)

• В интересах ребёнка родители решили переехать. (V interesakh rebyonka roditeli reshili pereexat'.)

  For the sake of the child, the parents decided to move. (Here, 'в интересах' demonstrates its use in family or welfare scenarios, emphasizing long-term benefits.)

• Из-за дружбы он рискнул своей карьерой. (Iz-za druzhby on risknul svoej kar'yeroy.)

  For the sake of friendship, he risked his career. (This illustrates 'из-за' in informal, personal contexts, though it's more causal than the others.)

• Ради семьи я отказался от поездки. (Radi sem'i ya otkazalsya ot poezdki.)

  For the sake of family, I declined the trip. (This example varies the structure, showing 'ради' with emotional weight in daily decisions.)

• В интересах общества нам нужно изменить законы. (V interesakh obshchestva nam nuzhno izmenit' zakony.)

  For the sake of society, we need to change the laws. (This highlights 'в интересах' in a broader social or ethical context.)

Secondary Meaning: In the context of Japanese rice wine (less common for this word).

Translation(s) & Context:

• сакэ [ˈsa.kɛ] - Used specifically for the beverage, in cultural or culinary discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В Японии сакэ является традиционным напитком. (V Yaponii sake yavlyayetsya traditsionnym napitkom.)

  In Japan, sake is a traditional drink. (This example focuses on cultural reference, directly borrowing the term.)

• Он предпочитает сакэ другому алкоголю. (On predpochtayet sake drugomu alkogolyu.)

  He prefers sake to other alcohols. (Shows 'сакэ' in a preference context, less related to the primary meaning.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The key translations like 'ради' and 'из-за' are prepositions, which do not inflect based on gender, number, or case. They remain unchanged in all contexts.

For 'в интересах', 'интересах' is a prepositional phrase where 'интересов' (from 'интерес') can inflect as a genitive plural noun:

For 'сакэ' (as a noun), it is an indeclinable borrowed word, meaning it does not change: Nominative: сакэ; remains the same in all cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ради - из-за (iz-za): Similar in casual contexts, but 'из-за' often implies negative causation.
  • в интересах - для блага (dlya blaga): 'Для блага' is a softer synonym, emphasizing well-being.
• Antonyms:
  • против (protiv): Meaning "against", contrasting with purpose-driven actions.
  • вред (vred): Implies harm, as an opposite to benefit.

Related Phrases:

• Ради друга (Radi druga) - For the sake of a friend; used in loyalty or sacrifice contexts.
• В интересах общества (V interesakh obshchestva) - In the interests of society; common in political discourse.
• Из-за любви (Iz-za lyubvi) - For the sake of love; often in romantic or emotional phrases.

Usage Notes:

'Ради' is the most direct equivalent to 'for the sake of' in English and is versatile for both formal and informal use, but it pairs best with nouns or infinitives. 'В интересах' is more formal and suits institutional or ethical discussions. When choosing between translations, opt for 'ради' in personal contexts and 'в интересах' for broader implications. Be cautious with word order in Russian sentences, as prepositions like these often require the genitive case for following nouns.

• Grammar tip: Always follow 'ради' with the genitive case, e.g., 'ради мира' (for the sake of peace).
• Contextual advice: In modern Russian, these phrases can vary by region; in formal writing, 'в интересах' is preferred for precision.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'ради' with 'для' (for), using 'для' incorrectly in purpose-driven sentences. For example:

• Error: Для мира мы должны пойти на компромисс. (Incorrect: This implies "for peace" as a recipient, not purpose.)
• Correct: Ради мира мы должны пойти на компромисс. (Proper use, emphasizing purpose.)
• Explanation: 'Для' is for direction or benefit, while 'ради' denotes sacrifice or motivation. Another mistake is omitting the genitive case, e.g., saying 'ради мир' instead of 'ради мира'.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like 'ради' are often used in literature and proverbs to highlight self-sacrifice or collective good, reflecting values from Russian history, such as in wartime stories or socialist rhetoric. For instance, it echoes themes in works by Tolstoy, where characters act 'for the sake of' higher ideals, underscoring Russia's emphasis on communal harmony over individualism.

Related Concepts:

• для (dlya)
• из-за (iz-za)
• в угоду (v ugodu)