Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'underage'

English Word: underage

Key Russian Translations:

• несовершеннолетний [nʲɪsɐˈvʲɛrʂənnəˈlʲetnʲɪj] - [Formal, Legal context]
• малолетний [məlɐˈlʲetnʲɪj] - [Informal, Everyday conversation, but less precise]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly used in legal, social, and media contexts, but not in casual everyday speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and inflections, with "несовершеннолетний" being more challenging due to its length and formal nature, while "малолетний" is slightly easier)

Pronunciation (Russian):

несовершеннолетний: [nʲɪsɐˈvʲɛrʂənnəˈlʲetnʲɪj] (Stress on the fourth syllable; the 'щ' sound is a soft, hissing 'sh')

малолетний: [məlɐˈlʲetnʲɪj] (Stress on the second syllable; note the soft 'л' sound)

Note on несовершеннолетний: This word has a complex consonant cluster; non-native speakers often struggle with the 'щ' and rapid vowel transitions. Practice with slow repetition.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Not yet of legal age (e.g., below the age limit for activities like drinking alcohol or voting)

Translation(s) & Context:

• несовершеннолетний - Used in formal, legal, or official contexts, such as documents or discussions about age restrictions.
• малолетний - Applied in informal or descriptive contexts, often implying youthfulness but with a slightly negative connotation, like recklessness.

Usage Examples:

• В баре не обслуживают несовершеннолетних посетителей.

  In the bar, they do not serve underage visitors.

• Этот фильм не рекомендуется для малолетних зрителей из-за насилия.

  This film is not recommended for underage viewers due to violence.

• Несовершеннолетний водитель не имеет права садиться за руль без сопровождения.

  An underage driver is not allowed to get behind the wheel without supervision.

• Малолетние дети часто пытаются купить сигареты, но им отказывают.

  Underage children often try to buy cigarettes, but they are refused.

• Закон защищает несовершеннолетних от эксплуатации в трудовой сфере.

  The law protects underage individuals from exploitation in the workplace.

Meaning: Referring to something prohibited due to age (e.g., activities or items)

Translation(s) & Context:

• несовершеннолетний - In contexts involving legal age limits, such as purchasing alcohol.
• малолетний - In everyday warnings or casual advice, emphasizing immaturity.

Usage Examples:

• Продажа алкоголя несовершеннолетним строго запрещена.

  The sale of alcohol to underage individuals is strictly prohibited.

• Малолетние подростки не должны посещать ночные клубы.

  Underage teenagers should not visit nightclubs.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. "Несовершеннолетний" is more formal and follows standard adjective patterns, while "малолетний" is similar but can vary slightly in usage.

These adjectives follow regular patterns but can be irregular in compounds. They do not change for verbs but agree with nouns in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• юный (young, but less formal)
• подростковый (adolescent-related; implies a stage of development)

Antonyms:

• взрослый (adult; direct opposite in age context)
• совершеннолетний (of legal age; precise antonym in legal terms)

Note: "юный" is often used for positive connotations of youth, while "подростковый" focuses on the teenage phase.

Related Phrases:

• несовершеннолетний возраст - Refers to the age below legal majority (e.g., under 18 in many contexts).
• малолетний преступник - A young or underage offender, often in criminal discussions.
• защита несовершеннолетних - Protection of minors, a common phrase in legal and social services.

Usage Notes:

"Underage" directly corresponds to "несовершеннолетний" in formal Russian contexts, such as law or official documents, due to its precise legal implications. Use "малолетний" for more casual or descriptive scenarios, but be cautious as it can imply immaturity or negative traits. In Russian, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key grammatical difference from English. For example, choose "несовершеннолетний" when discussing legal age limits, and avoid it in everyday speech to prevent sounding overly formal.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "несовершеннолетний" in informal contexts without proper inflection. Incorrect: "Он несовершеннолетний ребенок" (missing agreement). Correct: "Он несовершеннолетний ребёнок". Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender and case; learners often forget this, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing "малолетний" with "юный", thinking they are interchangeable. Incorrect: Using "малолетний" to mean simply "young" in a positive way. Correct: Use "юный" for neutral or positive youth; "малолетний" has a connotation of childishness. Explanation: This can offend in social contexts, as "малолетний" implies irresponsibility.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "несовершеннолетний" are heavily tied to legal and familial structures, influenced by Soviet-era policies that emphasized state protection of minors. For instance, the age of majority is 18, but cultural attitudes often view anyone under 18 as needing guidance, reflecting a collectivist society where family and community play a strong role in youth development.

Related Concepts:

• подросток (teenager)
• юность (youth)
• совершеннолетие (coming of age)