Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'suspicion'

English Word: suspicion

Key Russian Translations:

• подозрение /pə.dɐˈzre.nʲɪ.jɛ/ - [Formal, Noun]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly used in everyday Russian conversations, literature, and media, but not as basic as everyday vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual usage, which may challenge beginners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

подозрение: /pə.dɐˈzre.nʲɪ.jɛ/

Note on подозрение: The stress falls on the third syllable ("zre"), and the "щ" sound is a soft, palatalized "sh" (/ʂ/). Pronunciation can vary slightly in fast speech, so practice with native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A feeling of mistrust, doubt, or the act of suspecting something wrong.

Translation(s) & Context:

• подозрение - Used in formal and informal contexts to describe a state of doubt, often in investigations, relationships, or daily suspicions. Context: Everyday conversations or legal settings.

Usage Examples:

• У него было подозрение, что его друг скрывает правду.

  He had a suspicion that his friend was hiding the truth.

• Полиция начала расследование на основе подозрения о мошенничестве.

  The police started an investigation based on suspicion of fraud.

• Её подозрение относительно нового соседа оказалось оправданным.

  Her suspicion about the new neighbor turned out to be justified.

• Подозрение в шпионаже вызвало международный скандал.

  Suspicion of espionage caused an international scandal.

Meaning 2: A slight indication or trace of something, often implying doubt or potential wrongdoing.

Translation(s) & Context:

• подозрение - In this sense, it's used metaphorically, such as in expressions of faint evidence. Context: Literary or descriptive language.

Usage Examples:

• В его глазах мелькнуло лёгкое подозрение.

  A slight suspicion flashed in his eyes.

• Подозрение на коррупцию вынудило компанию провести аудит.

  Suspicion of corruption forced the company to conduct an audit.

• Её слова вызвали у меня подозрение о скрытых мотивах.

  Her words aroused a suspicion of hidden motives in me.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Подозрение" is a neuter noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows standard noun inflection patterns for case, number, and gender agreement. As a neuter noun ending in -ие, it has regular declensions but no irregularities.

Note: Always ensure the noun agrees with adjectives, verbs, and other elements in the sentence based on case and number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сомнение (slight doubt; often used interchangeably but implies less intensity)
  • недоверие (mistrust; emphasizes a lack of faith, common in interpersonal contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • доверие (trust; directly opposite, implying confidence)
  • уверенность (certainty; used when there's no doubt)

Related Phrases:

• Вызывать подозрение - To arouse suspicion; Used in contexts where something seems suspicious, e.g., in detective stories.
• Подозрение в чем-либо - Suspicion of something; A common phrase for accusing or doubting, often in legal or social scenarios.
• Развеять подозрения - To dispel suspicions; Implies removing doubts, frequently in interpersonal or investigative situations.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "подозрение" directly corresponds to the English "suspicion" as a noun, but it must always be declined according to the grammatical case required by the sentence structure. For example, use the genitive case after prepositions like "о" (about). It's versatile across formal and informal settings but is more common in written or serious contexts. When choosing between synonyms like "сомнение" and "недоверие," opt for "подозрение" if the focus is on potential wrongdoing rather than general doubt. Remember, Russian nouns like this agree in gender, number, and case with accompanying words.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "подозрение" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я имею подозрение" instead of "У меня есть подозрение" (correct: I have a suspicion).

  Correct Usage: У меня есть подозрение (The noun should be in the nominative or appropriate case). Explanation: English speakers often forget that Russian requires prepositional phrases for possession, leading to awkward constructions.

• Error: Confusing it with "подозрительный" (suspicious as an adjective), e.g., using "подозрение" when describing a person as suspicious.

  Correct Usage: Use "подозрительный" for the adjective form, as in "Он подозрительный" (He is suspicious). Explanation: This mix-up can alter the meaning entirely, so always check the part of speech.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "подозрение" often carries connotations from historical contexts like the Soviet era, where suspicion of espionage or dissent was prevalent in literature and society (e.g., in works by authors like Solzhenitsyn). This can add a layer of paranoia or caution in modern usage, reflecting Russia's complex history of surveillance and mistrust.

Related Concepts:

• сомнение
• недоверие
• паранойя