Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unlawful'

English Word: unlawful

Key Russian Translations:

• незаконный /nʲɪˈzakənːɨj/ - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in legal, official, and news contexts, but less frequent in everyday casual speech).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of legal terminology and adjective inflections, suitable for learners with basic Russian grammar knowledge).

Pronunciation (Russian):

незаконный: /nʲɪˈzakənːɨj/

Note on незаконный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("za"), which is common in Russian adjectives. Be mindful of the soft 'н' sound at the beginning, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Not authorized by law; illegal or against regulations

Translation(s) & Context:

• незаконный - Used in formal contexts, such as legal documents, news reports, or discussions about regulations. It emphasizes actions or states that violate the law.

Usage Examples:

• Эта деятельность была признана незаконной судом. (Eta deyatel'nost' byla priznana nezakonnoy sudom.)

  This activity was deemed unlawful by the court.

• Незаконные действия могут привести к штрафам. (Nezakonnïe deystviya mogut privesti k shtrafrom.)

  Unlawful actions can lead to fines.

• В стране запрещены незаконные сборы информации. (V strane zapreshcheny nezakonnye sbory informatsii.)

  In the country, unlawful collection of information is prohibited.

• Он был арестован за незаконное хранение оружия. (On byl arestovan za nezakonnoe khranenie oruzhiya.)

  He was arrested for the unlawful possession of weapons.

• Незаконная торговля товарами под запретом. (Nezakonaya torgovlya tovarami pod zapretom.)

  Unlawful trade in prohibited goods is rampant.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

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

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • противозаконный (protivozakonnyy) - Similar to "illegal," often used interchangeably, but slightly more emphatic on opposition to the law.
  • запрещённый (zapreshchennyy) - Means "forbidden," used when something is explicitly prohibited by rules.
• Antonyms:
  • законный (zakonnyy) - Means "lawful" or "legal," directly opposite in legal contexts.
  • дозволенный (dozvolennyy) - Means "permitted" or "allowed."

Related Phrases:

• незаконная деятельность (nezakonaya deyatel'nost') - Illegal activity; commonly used in discussions of crime or regulatory violations.
• незаконное проникновение (nezakonnoe proniknovenie) - Unlawful entry; refers to trespassing or unauthorized access.
• незаконная торговля (nezakonaya torgovlya) - Black market trade; often associated with smuggling or underground economies.

Usage Notes:

"Незаконный" directly corresponds to "unlawful" in English, emphasizing actions or states that breach legal statutes. It is primarily used in formal settings, such as legal documents, news, or official reports, and is less common in casual conversation. When choosing between translations like "незаконный" and "противозаконный," opt for "незаконный" for general illegality and "противозаконный" for actions explicitly against the law. Grammatically, always inflect it according to the noun it modifies, and be aware of its formal tone to avoid sounding overly bureaucratic in everyday Russian.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "незаконный" with "нелегальный" (nelegal'nyy), which also means "illegal." Error: Using "нелегальный" in formal legal contexts where "незаконный" is more precise. Correct: Stick to "незаконный" for statutory violations. Explanation: "Нелегальный" often implies something unofficial or undocumented, like illegal immigration, while "незаконный" is broader for any law-breaking.

• Forgetting to inflect the adjective. Error: Saying "незаконный дом" instead of "незаконный дом" in the correct case (e.g., genitive: "незаконного дома"). Correct: Always match the case, e.g., "в незаконном доме" (in an unlawful house). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with nouns, so this is a common grammar oversight for English speakers used to invariant adjectives.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and legal systems, terms like "незаконный" often carry implications from historical contexts, such as the Soviet era's strict regulations. It can evoke ideas of state control and bureaucracy, where even minor infractions are heavily penalized, reflecting Russia's emphasis on centralized authority in law enforcement.

Related Concepts:

• преступление (prestuplenie) - Crime
• нарушение (narushenie) - Violation
• штраф (shtraf) - Fine