Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'valid'

English Word: valid

Key Russian Translations:

• действительный [dʲɪjstvʲɪˈtʲelʲnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective; Used in legal, official, or everyday contexts for something legally effective or in force]
• законный [zɐˈkonnɨj] - [Formal; Primarily used when emphasizing legality or compliance with laws]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal writing, legal documents, and everyday conversations, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "good" or "bad")

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of Russian adjective inflections and formal contexts. For 'действительный', it's B1; for 'законный', it's also B1 due to similar grammatical rules)

Pronunciation (Russian):

действительный: [dʲɪjstvʲɪˈtʲelʲnɨj]

Note on действительный: This word has a complex consonant cluster; stress falls on the fourth syllable ("tel'"). Pronunciation can vary slightly in fast speech, potentially softening the 't' sound.

законный: [zɐˈkonnɨj]

Note on законный: The initial 'z' is soft and dental; stress is on the second syllable. Common in formal speech, but avoid over-emphasizing the final 'y' sound in casual contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Legally or officially acceptable (e.g., a valid document or argument)

Translation(s) & Context:

• действительный - Used in formal or bureaucratic contexts, such as passports or contracts, to indicate something is currently in effect.
• законный - Applied when referring to something that complies with laws, often in legal or ethical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Этот паспорт действительный до 2025 года.

  This passport is valid until 2025.

• В контракте указан действительный срок действия соглашения.

  The contract specifies the valid term of the agreement.

• Его аргументы были законными и убедительными в суде.

  His arguments were valid and convincing in court.

• Договор должен быть действительным для всех сторон.

  The contract must be valid for all parties.

Meaning 2: Logically sound or well-founded (e.g., a valid point in an argument)

Translation(s) & Context:

• действительный - Used in intellectual or philosophical contexts to mean something is logically sound.
• законный - Less common here; reserved for legal implications rather than pure logic.

Usage Examples:

• Её точка зрения действительна, но требует дополнительных доказательств.

  Her point of view is valid but requires additional evidence.

• В дискуссии он привёл действительные примеры из истории.

  In the discussion, he provided valid examples from history.

• Это действительное объяснение проблемы, но оно не полное.

  This is a valid explanation of the issue, but it's not complete.

• Законные основания для претензии должны быть действительными.

  The legal grounds for the claim must be valid.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'действительный' and 'законный' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for first-declension adjectives, with some irregularities in spelling due to palatalization.

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form but must agree with the noun they modify. They are regular in most cases, with no major irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: подлинный (podlinnyy; exact and authentic, with a nuance of originality) - Often used for documents; законопослушный (zakonoposlushnyy; law-abiding, emphasizing compliance)
• Antonyms: недействительный (nedeystvitel'nyy; invalid or expired) - Directly opposite in legal contexts; незаконный (nezakonnnyy; illegal)

Related Phrases:

• Действительный паспорт - A valid passport; Used in travel or identification contexts.
• Законный наследник - A lawful heir; Refers to someone with legal rights in inheritance matters.
• Действительный срок - Valid period or term; Common in contracts or warranties.

Usage Notes:

'Действительный' is the most direct translation for 'valid' in contexts involving effectiveness or official status, while 'законный' emphasizes legal compliance. Choose 'действительный' for general use, as it's more versatile and neutral. Be mindful of adjective agreement with nouns in Russian sentences. In formal writing, these words often appear in official documents, so they pair well with nouns like 'договор' (contract) or 'документ' (document). Avoid using them interchangeably in legal contexts, as 'законный' implies a stronger moral or regulatory aspect.

• In spoken Russian, 'действительный' can sound overly formal; opt for simpler synonyms in casual conversations.
• When translating from English, ensure the context matches; for example, 'valid ID' translates to 'действительный удостоверение личности'.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'действительный' with 'подлинный', thinking they mean the same thing. For instance, a common mistake is saying 'подлинный паспорт' when meaning 'valid passport' (which should be 'действительный паспорт'), as 'подлинный' implies authenticity rather than current validity. Correct usage: Incorrect - "Это подлинный документ" (if you mean it's effective, not just genuine); Correct - "Это действительный документ". Another error is forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., using 'действительный' with a feminine noun without changing it to 'действительная'.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'действительный' and 'законный' often appear in bureaucratic contexts due to Russia's emphasis on formal documentation (e.g., in government offices or legal systems). This reflects a cultural value on official validation, stemming from historical influences like Soviet-era administration, where proving something is 'valid' could be crucial for daily life, such as obtaining visas or property rights.

Related Concepts:

• Закон (law)
• Договор (contract)
• Паспорт (passport)