Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'upkeep'

English Word: upkeep

Key Russian Translations:

• содержание [sədɨrʐɐˈnʲije] - [Formal, used in contexts like property or financial maintenance]
• обслуживание [ɐbslʊʐɨˈvanʲije] - [Formal, often for technical or service-related upkeep]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday and professional contexts, such as business, real estate, and maintenance discussions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves understanding noun declensions and contextual usage; for 'содержание', it's straightforward, but 'обслуживание' may require more nuance)

Pronunciation (Russian):

содержание: [sədɨrʐɐˈnʲije]

обслуживание: [ɐbslʊʐɨˈvanʲije]

Note on содержание: The stress falls on the third syllable ('nʲije'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'zh' sound; a common variant in fast speech might soften the 'r' sound.

Note on обслуживание: Pronounce with a clear 'sh' in 'sl', and the stress on the fourth syllable; avoid overemphasizing the initial 'o' as in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The process of keeping something in good condition, such as property or equipment.

Translation(s) & Context:

• содержание - Used in formal or financial contexts, like maintaining a building or ongoing costs.
• обслуживание - Applied in technical or service-oriented scenarios, such as vehicle or machinery upkeep.

Usage Examples:

• Ежегодное содержание дома требует значительных вложений.

  Annual upkeep of the house requires significant investments.

• Регулярное обслуживание автомобиля предотвращает поломки.

  Regular upkeep of the car prevents breakdowns.

• В стоимость квартиры входит содержание общедомового имущества.

  The cost of the apartment includes the upkeep of common property in the building.

• Без надлежащего содержания парка, деревья и дорожки быстро приходят в негодность.

  Without proper upkeep of the park, the trees and paths quickly fall into disrepair.

2. The cost or expenses associated with maintenance.

Translation(s) & Context:

• содержание - Common in financial or administrative contexts, emphasizing ongoing expenses.
• обслуживание - Used when referring to service fees or contractual upkeep costs.

Usage Examples:

• Содержание автомобиля в хорошем состоянии обходится в несколько тысяч рублей в год.

  The upkeep costs for keeping a car in good condition amount to several thousand rubles per year.

• Ежемесячное обслуживание офиса включает уборку и ремонт оборудования.

  Monthly upkeep of the office includes cleaning and equipment repairs.

• В бюджете предусмотрены средства на содержание общественных зданий.

  The budget allocates funds for the upkeep of public buildings.

• Стоимость содержания дачи выросла из-за инфляции.

  The upkeep costs for the dacha have increased due to inflation.

• Обслуживание бытовой техники часто покрывается гарантией.

  Upkeep of household appliances is often covered by warranty.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'содержание' and 'обслуживание' are neuter nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard neuter declension patterns. Russian nouns change based on case, number, and gender, but these words are invariable in plural forms for general usage.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, but always check the context for correct case usage, as Russian requires agreement with other sentence elements.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • поддержание (podderzhanie) - Similar to 'upkeep' but emphasizes sustaining or sustaining over time; often used interchangeably in formal contexts.
  • уход (uhod) - More general, implying care or maintenance, especially for living things or personal items.
• Antonyms:
  • разрушение (razrushenie) - Destruction or neglect, directly opposing the idea of maintenance.
  • запущенность (zapushchennost') - Abandonment or deterioration, highlighting the lack of upkeep.

Related Phrases:

• Текущее содержание (tekushchee soderzhanie) - Ongoing upkeep; refers to routine maintenance tasks.
• Капитальное обслуживание (kapital'noe obsluzhivanie) - Major upkeep; used for significant repairs or overhauls.
• Содержание в порядке (soderzhanie v poryadke) - Keeping in order; a phrase for maintaining something tidy and functional.

Usage Notes:

'Содержание' is the most direct translation for 'upkeep' in contexts involving costs or general maintenance, while 'обслуживание' is better for service-oriented scenarios. In Russian, these words often require the appropriate case to match the sentence structure, so pay attention to prepositions (e.g., 'о содержании' for 'about upkeep'). Use 'содержание' in formal writing or business discussions, and avoid it in casual speech where simpler terms like 'уход' might suffice. When choosing between translations, opt for 'обслуживание' if the upkeep involves professional services.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я плачу за содержание" instead of "Я плачу за содержанием" in certain contexts (though the first is correct for direct object).
  Correct: Ensure the noun agrees with the verb and preposition; for example, "Затраты на содержание" (Expenses for upkeep) vs. Error: "Затраты на содержания" (incorrect genitive form).
  Explanation: Russian cases are crucial; learners often overlook them, leading to grammatical errors.
• Mistake: Confusing 'содержание' with 'содержимое' (contents, as in inside of something).
  Correct: Use 'содержание' for maintenance; for example, "Содержание дома" (upkeep of the house) vs. Error: "Содержимое дома" (meaning the items inside the house).
  Explanation: These words look similar but have distinct meanings, which can confuse English speakers due to false cognates.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'upkeep' like that of homes or communal spaces often reflects communal responsibility, especially in apartment blocks where residents share costs for 'содержание' of shared areas. This stems from Soviet-era housing policies, emphasizing collective maintenance over individual ownership, which can add a layer of social obligation to the term.

Related Concepts:

• ремонт (remont) - Repair
• уход (uhod) - Care
• поддержка (podderzhka) - Support or sustenance