Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'supposedly'

English Word: supposedly

Key Russian Translations:

• якобы (/jɐˈkobɨ/) - [Neutral, often used in formal or journalistic contexts to express doubt or hearsay]

Frequency: Medium - The word is commonly encountered in news articles, literature, and everyday discussions involving speculation or unverified information.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level can grasp its usage, but it requires understanding of adverbial expressions and nuances of doubt in Russian.

Pronunciation (Russian):

якобы: /jɐˈkobɨ/

Note on якобы: The stress falls on the second syllable (/ˈkobɨ/), and the initial /j/ sound is similar to the 'y' in "yes." Be mindful of the soft sign (ъ) which affects pronunciation subtly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Indicating something is alleged or rumored to be true, often with skepticism.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Якобы - Used in contexts where the speaker expresses doubt about the truth of a statement, such as in news reports or casual conversations about hearsay.

Usage Examples:

• Якобы он видел привидение в старом доме. (Yakoby on videl prividenie v starom dome.)

  Supposedly, he saw a ghost in the old house. (This example shows the word in a narrative context, expressing unverified information.)

• Эта якобы редкая монета оказалась подделкой. (Eta yakoby redkaya moneta okazalas' poddelkoy.)

  This supposedly rare coin turned out to be a fake. (Here, it highlights skepticism in a discovery scenario.)

• Якобы правительство скрывает правду. (Yakoby pravitel'stvo skryvaet pravdu.)

  Supposedly, the government is hiding the truth. (Demonstrates use in political or conspiratorial discussions.)

• Он якобы выиграл в лотерею, но никто не верит. (On yakoby vyigral v lotereyu, no nikto ne verit.)

  Supposedly, he won the lottery, but no one believes it. (Illustrates interpersonal doubt in everyday stories.)

• Якобы это лекарство творит чудеса. (Yakoby eto lekarstvo tvorit chudesa.)

  Supposedly, this medicine works miracles. (Shows application in product reviews or advertisements with irony.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Якобы is an adverb in Russian and does not undergo inflection or change based on gender, number, case, or tense. It remains invariant in all contexts, making it straightforward for learners. For example:

• Singular/Plural: No change (e.g., "Якобы он" or "Якобы они").
• Tense: Used across tenses without alteration (e.g., past: "Якобы был"; future: "Якобы будет").

If multiple translations were present, each would be analyzed separately, but якобы is uninflected.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Похоже (Pokhozhe) - Similar to "apparently," but with less emphasis on doubt; used in more neutral contexts.
  • Будто (Budto) - Implies "as if," often in hypothetical scenarios; slight difference in connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • Действительно (Deystvitel'no) - Means "actually" or "truly," directly opposing the skeptical tone of якобы.
  • На самом деле (Na samom dele) - Translates to "in fact," emphasizing reality over supposition.

Related Phrases:

• Якобы так (Yakoby tak) - Supposedly so; used to confirm unverified information in conversations.
• Якобы из-за этого (Yakoby iz-za etogo) - Supposedly because of this; common in explanations involving rumors.
• Якобы правда (Yakoby pravda) - Supposedly the truth; often in contexts of misinformation or conspiracy theories.

Usage Notes:

Якобы directly corresponds to "supposedly" in English by introducing hearsay or unconfirmed information, but it carries a stronger sense of skepticism in Russian. It is typically used in formal writing, journalism, or ironic speech rather than casual everyday talk. When choosing among translations, opt for якобы when emphasizing doubt; for more neutral expressions, use synonyms like "похоже." Grammatically, it functions as an adverb and can modify verbs without changing form. Be cautious in cultural contexts where it might imply accusation.

Common Errors:

• Confusing якобы with будто: Learners might overuse будто (budto), which means "as if," leading to incorrect sentences like "Будто он видел привидение" instead of "Якобы он видел привидение." Correct usage: Якобы implies external hearsay, while будто suggests imagination. Explanation: This error stems from overlapping meanings, so focus on context—use якобы for reported information.

• Omitting in informal speech: English speakers might forget to include якобы altogether, saying "Он видел привидение" (He saw a ghost), which lacks the skeptical tone. Correct: Add якобы as in "Якобы он видел привидение." Explanation: This dilutes the intended doubt, so always pair it with verbs of perception or reporting.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, якобы is frequently used in media and literature to discuss rumors or unofficial narratives, reflecting a historical skepticism toward authority and information sources, especially post-Soviet era. It often appears in satirical contexts, highlighting the prevalence of misinformation in society.

Related Concepts:

• Наверное (Navernoe) - Probably
• Слух (Slukh) - Rumor
• Достоверно (Dostoverno) - Reliably