Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'theft'

English Word: theft

Key Russian Translations:

• кража [ˈkraʐə] - [Formal, Legal contexts]
• воровство [vɐˈrovstvə] - [Informal, Everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (Common in legal and news contexts, but not in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; involves basic noun forms, suitable for learners with foundational grammar knowledge. For 'кража', it's straightforward; for 'воровство', similar difficulty.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кража: [ˈkraʐə]

воровство: [vɐˈrovstvə]

Note on кража: The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure' in English; be careful with stress on the first syllable.

Note on воровство: The 'в' is pronounced as a voiced labiodental fricative; common in informal speech.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The act of taking someone else's property without permission, often with criminal intent.

Translation(s) & Context:

• кража - Used in formal or legal settings, such as police reports or court documents, to describe straightforward theft.
• воровство - Applied in informal contexts, like everyday conversations, to imply petty or habitual stealing.

Usage Examples:

• Полиция расследует кражу драгоценностей из музея.

  The police are investigating the theft of jewelry from the museum.

• Его уволили за воровство офисного оборудования.

  He was fired for the theft of office equipment.

• Кража в магазине часто происходит из-за несовершенной системы безопасности.

  Theft in stores often occurs due to inadequate security systems.

• Воровство в интернете становится всё более распространённой проблемой.

  Online theft is becoming an increasingly common issue.

• Суд приговорил его к штрафу за кражу велосипеда.

  The court sentenced him to a fine for the theft of a bicycle.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'кража' (feminine noun, first declension) and 'воровство' (neuter noun, third declension) follow standard Russian inflection patterns. 'Кража' is more commonly used and has regular inflections, while 'воровство' is also regular but less frequently inflected in practice.

Note: These are regular inflections; no irregularities for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • хищение (hishchenie) - More formal, often used for embezzlement or misappropriation.
  • грабёж (grabëzh) - Implies robbery with force, distinct from simple theft.
• Antonyms:
  • возврат (vozvrat) - Return or restitution, as in giving back stolen items.

Related Phrases:

• кража со взломом - Burglary; used for breaking and entering with theft. (Context: Legal and crime-related discussions.)
• воровство из кармана - Pickpocketing; implies stealthy theft from pockets. (Context: Everyday warnings about crime.)
• массовое воровство - Mass theft; refers to large-scale stealing, like in riots. (Context: News reports on social unrest.)

Usage Notes:

'Кража' is the most precise translation for 'theft' in formal English contexts, such as law enforcement, and aligns closely with legal definitions in Russian. Use 'воровство' for more colloquial situations to convey a sense of ongoing or petty theft. Be mindful of grammatical gender: 'кража' is feminine, so it requires feminine agreement in adjectives and verbs (e.g., "Эта кража была профессиональной"). In spoken Russian, 'воровство' might carry a slightly negative connotation implying moral fault. Choose based on context—formal vs. informal—to avoid sounding unnatural.

Common Errors:

• Confusing cases: English learners often misuse the genitive case, e.g., saying "кража от дом" instead of "кража из дома" (correct: theft from the house). Error: "кража от дом" (incorrect genitive). Correct: "кража из дома". Explanation: Use the correct preposition and case for location (prepositional or genitive as needed).

• Overgeneralizing synonyms: Mistaking 'грабёж' for simple theft, leading to phrases like "Я видел грабёж в магазине" when 'кража' is more appropriate. Error: "грабёж в магазине" (implies violence). Correct: "кража в магазине". Explanation: 'Грабёж' suggests robbery with force, so reserve it for more aggressive scenarios.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and law, 'кража' is a serious criminal offense under the Criminal Code, often linked to economic hardship or social issues in history, such as during the Soviet era when petty theft was common due to shortages. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on community property and anti-corruption sentiments in modern Russia.

Related Concepts:

• вор (thief)
• грабеж (robbery)
• хищение (embezzlement)