Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unilateral'

English Word: unilateral

Key Russian Translations:

• односторонний /ɐdnɐˈstorənʲɪj/ - [Formal, used in legal, political, or diplomatic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing and discussions, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2 level, as it involves understanding abstract concepts and adjective inflections)

Pronunciation (Russian):

односторонний: /ɐdnɐˈstorənʲɪj/

Note on односторонний: The stress falls on the third syllable ("sto"), which is a common challenge for learners. The "й" sound at the end is a soft palatal approximant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Relating to or affecting only one side, often in legal, political, or agreement contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• односторонний - Used in formal contexts, such as international treaties or business agreements, to denote actions taken by one party without mutual consent.

Usage Examples:

• Этот договор является односторонним, что означает, что только одна сторона несет обязательства.

  This agreement is unilateral, meaning that only one party bears the obligations.

• Правительство приняло односторонние меры по контролю за импортом, что вызвало протесты со стороны других стран.

  The government implemented unilateral measures to control imports, which provoked protests from other countries.

• В одностороннем порядке компания расторгла контракт, не уведомив партнера.

  The company terminated the contract unilaterally, without notifying the partner.

• Односторонняя политика президента привела к изоляции страны на международной арене.

  The president's unilateral policy led to the country's isolation on the international stage.

• В случае одностороннего решения суда, ответчик имеет право на апелляцию.

  In the case of a unilateral court decision, the defendant has the right to appeal.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Односторонний" is an adjective in Russian, which means it changes based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for adjectives ending in -ий. Below is a table outlining its main inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once the basic adjective patterns are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • однобокий (more informal, implying imbalance or one-sidedness in a biased way; often used in critiques)
  • унилатеральный (a direct borrowing from English, used in highly technical or academic contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • двусторонний (bilateral, indicating mutual agreement or involvement)
  • многосторонний (multilateral, involving multiple parties)

Related Phrases:

• односторонний договор - A unilateral agreement or contract, often used in legal contexts to refer to obligations from one side only.
• односторонние действия - Unilateral actions, describing decisions made without consultation, common in international relations.
• односторонняя улица - A one-way street (literally and figuratively), implying a situation where only one direction is possible.

Usage Notes:

"Односторонний" directly corresponds to "unilateral" in English, emphasizing actions or decisions made by a single party. It is typically used in formal settings like law, politics, or diplomacy, and should be avoided in casual conversation to prevent sounding overly bureaucratic. When choosing between synonyms like "однобокий," opt for "односторонний" if the context is neutral and factual, rather than implying bias. Grammatically, always inflect it according to the noun it modifies, as Russian adjectives agree in gender, number, and case.

Common Errors:

• Using "односторонний" without proper inflection: For example, learners might say "Я подписал односторонний договор" (incorrect if the noun requires a different case), instead of "Я подписал односторонний договор" (correct in nominative). Explanation: Always check the case of the noun; here, it should match the object's case.

• Confusing it with "однобокий": A common mistake is using "однобокий" when "односторонний" is needed, e.g., saying "однобокий договор" to mean a legal agreement, which adds a connotation of unfairness. Correct usage: Stick with "односторонний" for neutral descriptions.

• Overusing in informal speech: Learners might incorrectly insert "односторонний" in everyday talk, like "Это односторонний план на выходные," which sounds awkward. Explanation: Reserve it for formal contexts to maintain naturalness.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and politics, "односторонний" often appears in discussions of international relations, reflecting historical contexts like the Cold War, where unilateral decisions by superpowers (e.g., the USSR or USA) shaped global dynamics. It carries a connotation of autonomy but can imply isolation if overused, highlighting Russia's emphasis on sovereignty in diplomacy.

Related Concepts:

• договор (contract or treaty)
• международные отношения (international relations)
• политика (policy)