Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'shortcoming'

English Word: shortcoming

Key Russian Translations:

• недостаток /nʲɪdəˈstatək/ - [Formal, Singular; commonly used in written and professional contexts]
• пробел /ˈpro.bʲɪl/ - [Informal; often used metaphorically for gaps or omissions, but less common for personal flaws]

Frequency: Medium (This word appears regularly in everyday Russian discourse, literature, and professional settings, but is not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; according to CEFR, as it involves understanding noun declensions and contextual usage. For 'пробел', difficulty is A2 if used in simpler contexts.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

недостаток: /nʲɪdəˈstatək/ (Note the palatalized 'н' sound, which can be challenging for non-native speakers; stress on the third syllable.)

пробел: /ˈpro.bʲɪl/ (Emphasize the initial stress; the 'б' is softened before 'е'.)

Note on недостаток: Be mindful of regional variations; in some dialects, the 'д' may sound slightly softer.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A fault, weakness, or deficiency in something or someone.

Translation(s) & Context:

• недостаток - Used in formal discussions about personal or systemic flaws, such as in business or self-improvement contexts.
• пробел - Applied in informal settings for gaps in knowledge or minor oversights.

Usage Examples:

• У него есть несколько недостатков, но он старается их исправить.

  He has several shortcomings, but he's trying to fix them.

• В этом плане есть пробелы, которые нужно устранить для успеха проекта.

  There are shortcomings in this plan that need to be eliminated for the project's success.

• Её недостаток в терпении часто приводит к конфликтам на работе.

  Her shortcoming in patience often leads to conflicts at work.

• Несмотря на пробелы в опыте, она быстро учится новым навыкам.

  Despite her shortcomings in experience, she quickly learns new skills.

• Основной недостаток этой системы — её уязвимость к ошибкам.

  The main shortcoming of this system is its vulnerability to errors.

Secondary Meaning: A limitation or inadequacy in quality or performance.

Translation(s) & Context:

• недостаток - In technical or evaluative contexts, such as product reviews or assessments.

Usage Examples:

• Недостаток этого смартфона — слабый аккумулятор.

  The shortcoming of this smartphone is its weak battery.

• В образовательной системе есть недостатки, которые влияют на качество обучения.

  There are shortcomings in the education system that affect the quality of learning.

• Его недостаток в креативности компенсируется сильными аналитическими способностями.

  His shortcoming in creativity is compensated by strong analytical skills.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'недостаток' is a masculine noun in the third declension. It follows regular patterns for most cases but has variations in plural forms. Below is a declension table:

'пробел' is also a masculine noun with similar regular declension patterns, but it is less frequently inflected in everyday use. It remains unchanged in most compound phrases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • слабость (/ˈsla.bəsʲtʲ/) - Often implies a weakness in character or ability, with a more emotional connotation.
  • изъян (/ɪzˈjan/) - Used for flaws in objects or systems, highlighting imperfections.
• Antonyms:
  • достоинство (/dəsˈto.jɪn.stvə/) - Refers to merits or advantages.
  • преимущество (/prʲɪɪˈmu.ɕʲest.və/) - Indicates strengths or benefits, often in comparisons.

Related Phrases:

• Исправить недостаток - To correct a shortcoming (Used in self-improvement or problem-solving contexts).
• Устранить пробелы - To eliminate gaps (Common in educational or professional settings for addressing deficiencies).
• Недостатки характера - Shortcomings of character (Refers to personal flaws in psychological discussions).

Usage Notes:

'Недостаток' directly corresponds to 'shortcoming' in formal English contexts, emphasizing flaws that can be improved. It is neutral and widely applicable but should be used with care in sensitive conversations to avoid sounding judgmental. For informal situations, 'пробел' might be a lighter alternative. When choosing between translations, opt for 'недостаток' in written or professional English-Russian correspondence. Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian case rules to ensure natural flow.

• In plural forms, it can denote multiple issues, e.g., in lists of problems.
• Avoid overusing in positive contexts, as it inherently implies negativity.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse the genitive case, saying "у меня недостаток" instead of "у меня есть недостаток" (correct: I have a shortcoming). Error: "Я имею недостатка" (incorrect declension). Correct: "Я имею недостаток". This stems from direct word-for-word translation; always ensure proper verb agreement and case usage to sound natural in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussing 'недостатки' (shortcomings) is common in self-reflection or literature, influenced by traditions like the Russian soul's emphasis on introspection. For instance, in classic works by authors like Tolstoy, characters often confront their flaws, reflecting a cultural value of honesty and improvement.

Related Concepts:

• ошибка (error or mistake)
• слабость (weakness)
• проблема (problem)