Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'threat'

English Word: threat

Key Russian Translations:

• угроза [ʊˈɡro.zə] - [Formal, Common in written and spoken contexts]
• угроза опасности [ʊˈɡro.zə ɐˈpɑs.nəsʲ.tʲi] - [Formal, Used in specific risk assessment contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'угроза' appears regularly in news, legal, and everyday discussions, but it's not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves understanding noun declensions and contextual usage. For 'угроза опасности', it may edge toward B2 due to compound phrasing.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

угроза: [ʊˈɡro.zə]

угроза опасности: [ʊˈɡro.zə ɐˈpɑs.nəsʲ.tʲi]

Note on угроза: The stress falls on the second syllable ('gro'), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's variable stress patterns. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A statement or indication of potential harm or danger

Translation(s) & Context:

• угроза - Used in formal contexts like legal documents, news reports, or interpersonal warnings to denote a direct threat.
• угроза опасности - Applied in risk management or safety discussions, emphasizing an underlying peril.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: "Письмо содержало явную угрозу расправы." (The letter contained an explicit threat of retribution.)

  English Translation: "The letter contained an explicit threat of retribution."

• Русский: "В его словах прозвучала скрытая угроза, которая заставила всех насторожиться." (His words carried a hidden threat that made everyone wary.)

  English Translation: "His words carried a hidden threat that made everyone wary."

• Русский: "Правительство отреагировало на угрозу безопасности страны." (The government responded to the threat to the country's security.)

  English Translation: "The government responded to the threat to the country's security."

• Русский: "Эта угроза опасности от природных катастроф требует немедленных мер." (This threat of danger from natural disasters requires immediate action.)

  English Translation: "This threat of danger from natural disasters requires immediate action."

• Русский: "Он использовал угрозу как инструмент переговоров, но это не сработало." (He used the threat as a negotiation tool, but it didn't work.)

  English Translation: "He used the threat as a negotiation tool, but it didn't work."

A potential source of harm or danger

Translation(s) & Context:

• угроза - In broader contexts like environmental or health risks, to indicate an abstract danger.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: "Климатические изменения представляют глобальную угрозу для экосистем." (Climate change poses a global threat to ecosystems.)

  English Translation: "Climate change poses a global threat to ecosystems."

• Русский: "Эта угроза от вируса была недооценена в начале." (This threat from the virus was underestimated at the beginning.)

  English Translation: "This threat from the virus was underestimated at the beginning."

• Русский: "Угроза войны заставила страны усилить оборону." (The threat of war forced countries to strengthen their defense.)

  English Translation: "The threat of war forced countries to strengthen their defense."

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'угроза' is a feminine noun in the first declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. 'угроза опасности' is a compound phrase where 'угроза' inflects, but 'опасности' (genitive case) also changes.

For 'угроза опасности', note that 'опасности' is in the genitive case and would inflect as a separate noun if used independently.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • опасность (opasnost') - More general term for danger, often interchangeable in non-legal contexts.
  • риск (risk) - Emphasizes potential uncertainty, with a slight connotation of calculated hazard.
• Antonyms:
  • безопасность (bezopasnost') - Safety or security, directly opposing the idea of threat.
  • защита (zashchita) - Protection, implying defense against threats.

Related Phrases:

• Представлять угрозу (predstavlyat' ugrozu) - To pose a threat; used in discussions of risks or warnings.
• Подвергаться угрозе (podvergatsya ugroze) - To be subjected to a threat; common in personal or security contexts.
• Угроза жизни (ugroza zhizni) - Threat to life; a fixed phrase in emergency or medical scenarios.

Usage Notes:

'Угроза' directly corresponds to 'threat' in English but is often used in more formal or official settings in Russian, such as legal documents or media reports. English speakers should note that Russian requires careful attention to case endings; for example, use the genitive case after prepositions like 'от' (from). When choosing between translations, opt for 'угроза' for straightforward threats and 'угроза опасности' for compounded risks. It's neutral in tone but can carry emotional weight in spoken language.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'угроза' (noun) with 'угрожать' (verb, to threaten): Incorrect: "Я угрозать вам." (Wrong verb form). Correct: "Я угрожаю вам." Explanation: 'Угроза' is a noun, so ensure you're using the right part of speech; beginners often mix this with verb conjugations.
• Improper declension: Incorrect: "Из-за угроза" (missing genitive). Correct: "Из-за угрозы." Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case; forgetting this can make sentences grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of 'угроза' often appears in historical and political contexts, such as during the Cold War or in modern discussions of international relations. It can carry a sense of stoic resilience, reflecting Russia's history of facing external threats, which might influence its usage in literature and media to evoke national strength rather than fear.

Related Concepts:

• риск (risk)
• опасность (danger)
• кризис (crisis)