Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'setback'

English Word: setback

Key Russian Translations:

• неудача [nʲɪʊˈdaʧə] - [Informal; Common in everyday conversation]
• задержка [zəˈdʲerʒkə] - [Formal; Often used in professional or technical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations appear regularly in Russian media, literature, and daily speech, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level should grasp the concept after basic exposure to Russian nouns and contexts, though nuances may require practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неудача: [nʲɪʊˈdaʧə]

Note on неудача: The soft 'н' (nʲ) can be tricky for English speakers; it's pronounced with the tongue touching the alveolar ridge. Stress is on the third syllable.

задержка: [zəˈdʲerʒkə]

Note on задержка: The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in "measure." Stress falls on the second syllable, which is common in Russian nouns.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A reversal in progress or a minor failure (e.g., in personal or professional life)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неудача - Used in informal settings to describe everyday setbacks, such as failing a task.
• задержка - Applied in more formal contexts, like project delays or obstacles in planning.

Usage Examples:

• Эта неудача не должна остановить тебя от дальнейших попыток. (This setback shouldn't stop you from further attempts.)

  English Translation: This failure shouldn't stop you from further attempts.

• Из-за задержки в поставках проект был отложен на неделю. (Due to the setback in deliveries, the project was delayed by a week.)

  English Translation: Due to the setback in deliveries, the project was delayed by a week.

• После неудачи в экзамене, он решил больше учиться. (After the setback in the exam, he decided to study more.)

  English Translation: After the setback in the exam, he decided to study more.

• Задержка в переговорах вызвала беспокойство среди инвесторов. (The setback in negotiations caused concern among investors.)

  English Translation: The setback in negotiations caused concern among investors.

Meaning 2: An obstacle or hindrance in a process (e.g., in travel or events)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неудача - Informal, for unexpected personal obstacles.
• задержка - Formal, especially in logistical or scheduled contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Из-за неудачи с погодой, пикник был отменён. (Due to the setback with the weather, the picnic was canceled.)

  English Translation: Due to the setback with the weather, the picnic was canceled.

• Задержка поезда из-за технических проблем раздражала пассажиров. (The setback of the train due to technical issues irritated the passengers.)

  English Translation: The setback of the train due to technical issues irritated the passengers.

• Эта неудача в бизнесе научила его быть более осторожным. (This setback in business taught him to be more cautious.)

  English Translation: This setback in business taught him to be more cautious.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "неудача" and "задержка" are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow the standard first-declension patterns for feminine nouns ending in -а. They are inflected based on case, number, and gender agreements.

Note: These nouns do not change in plural forms as frequently, but "неудачи" (plural nominative) and "задержки" (plural nominative) are used when referring to multiple setbacks.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • провал (proval) - More emphatic, implying complete failure.
  • препятствие (prepyatstvie) - Focuses on an obstacle, often physical.
• Antonyms:
  • успех (uspekh) - Success, direct opposite in achievement contexts.
  • прогресс (progress) - Forward movement, contrasting with reversal.

Related Phrases:

• Переживание неудачи - Experiencing a setback; Often used in psychological or personal development contexts.
• Задержка в развитии - Developmental setback; Common in educational or medical discussions.
• Встать после неудачи - To rise after a setback; Implies resilience and recovery.

Usage Notes:

"Неудача" is the most direct and idiomatic translation for "setback" in informal English-Russian correspondence, capturing emotional or personal aspects, while "задержка" is better for formal or logistical scenarios. Choose based on context: use "неудача" for human experiences and "задержка" for delays in processes. Be mindful of Russian's case system, as these nouns must agree with adjectives and verbs in sentences. For example, in formal writing, pair with verbs like "вызвать" (to cause) for a neutral tone.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing "неудача" with "неудачный" (an adjective meaning unsuccessful). Correct: Use "неудача" as a noun for the event itself, e.g., "Это была неудача" (This was a setback), not "Это была неудачный" (incorrect).
• Mistake: Overusing "задержка" in personal contexts. Correct: In informal speech, opt for "неудача" instead, e.g., Wrong: "Моя задержка в работе" (My setback at work - sounds odd); Right: "Моя неудача в работе".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, setbacks like "неудача" are often portrayed in literature and proverbs as opportunities for growth, reflecting resilience in the face of historical challenges such as wars or economic shifts. For instance, Russian folklore emphasizes overcoming failures, as seen in stories like those of Pushkin, where characters learn from defeats.

Related Concepts:

• кризис (crisis)
• препятствие (obstacle)
• разочарование (disappointment)