Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'untruth'

English Word: untruth

Key Russian Translations:

• неправда /nʲɪˈprav.də/ - [Formal]
• ложь /loʂʲ/ - [Informal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations and formal writing, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of noun declensions and basic sentence structures, per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неправда: /nʲɪˈprav.də/

Note on неправда: The stress falls on the second syllable ("prav"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'n' sound.

Audio: []

ложь: /loʂʲ/

Note on ложь: The 'zh' sound (/ʂʲ/) is a retroflex fricative, similar to the 'sh' in "shoe" but softer; common in Russian but absent in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A statement that is not true or a falsehood.

Translation(s) & Context:

• неправда - Used in formal contexts, such as legal or academic discussions, to denote a deliberate or accidental untruth.
• ложь - Employed in informal settings, like casual conversations, to imply intentional deception or lying.

Usage Examples:

• Он сказал неправду во время допроса.

  He told an untruth during the interrogation. (This example shows 'untruth' in a formal, legal context.)

• Её слова оказались ложью.

  Her words turned out to be an untruth. (Illustrates informal use in everyday accusations.)

• Не говори неправду, это может повредить твоей репутации.

  Don't tell an untruth; it could harm your reputation. (Demonstrates advisory context with a moral implication.)

• Ложь часто приводит к большим проблемам.

  An untruth often leads to bigger problems. (Shows use in proverbial or reflective speech.)

• В этой истории слишком много неправды.

  There's too much untruth in this story. (Highlights use in narrative or storytelling.)

Meaning 2: Something that deviates from the truth, such as misinformation or error.

Translation(s) & Context:

• неправда - Applied in contexts involving factual errors, like journalism or history.
• ложь - Less common here, but used for intentional misinformation in informal media discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Эта статья полна неправды.

  This article is full of untruth. (Example in media critique, emphasizing factual inaccuracy.)

• Он распространяет ложь в социальных сетях.

  He is spreading untruth on social media. (Shows digital or modern communication context.)

• Неправда в его отчёте была unintentional.

  The untruth in his report was unintentional. (Illustrates accidental error in professional settings.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "неправда" and "ложь" are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard feminine declension patterns. "Неправда" is a regular noun with predictable changes, while "ложь" is also regular but can vary slightly in certain forms.

Note: These nouns do not change in plural forms as they are abstract concepts, making them invariant in many contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: фальшь (falseness, with a nuance of artificiality), обман (deception, implying trickery)
• Antonyms: правда (truth, directly opposite and commonly paired in contrasts)

Related Phrases:

• Говорить неправду - To speak an untruth; used to describe lying in a neutral or formal way.
• Распространять ложь - To spread untruth; often in contexts of misinformation or propaganda.
• Полная неправда - Complete untruth; emphasizes total fabrication in arguments.

Usage Notes:

"Неправда" is the more precise translation for "untruth" in formal English contexts, as it can cover both intentional lies and accidental errors, while "ложь" is better for deliberate deception. English speakers should note that Russian often requires the appropriate case based on sentence structure—e.g., use genitive for possession. In casual speech, "ложь" might be preferred for emotional emphasis, but avoid it in professional settings to prevent sounding accusatory. When choosing between translations, consider the intent: if the untruth is accidental, opt for "неправда."

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "неправда" in the nominative case universally without adjusting for grammar. Correct: In a sentence like "I am afraid of the untruth," say "Я боюсь неправды" (genitive case). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, so English learners often forget this, leading to ungrammatical sentences.

• Error: Confusing "ложь" with "неправда" in formal writing. Correct: Use "неправда" for neutral falsehoods; e.g., "Это ложь" (informal) vs. "Это неправда" (formal). Explanation: This can make speech sound too harsh or informal, affecting tone and clarity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "неправда" and "ложь" often tie into themes of honesty and integrity, influenced by historical events such as Soviet-era propaganda. For instance, "ложь" might evoke distrust from the Cold War era, where misinformation was rampant, adding a layer of emotional weight to everyday conversations.

Related Concepts:

• правда
• обман
• фальшь