Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wrong'

English Word: wrong

Key Russian Translations:

• неправильный [nʲɪˈpravʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective; used for describing something incorrect or inaccurate]
• ошибка [ɐˈʂɨbkə] - [Informal, Noun; used for a mistake or error in action or judgment]
• неверный [nʲɪˈvʲernɨj] - [Formal, Adjective; used in contexts involving falsehood or inaccuracy, often in intellectual or factual matters]

Frequency: High (The word and its translations are commonly used in everyday Russian conversations, literature, and media.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp basic usages, but full mastery of inflections and nuances requires practice. For 'ошибка' as a noun, it's A2; for 'неправильный' as an adjective, it's B1.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неправильный: [nʲɪˈpravʲɪlʲnɨj]

ошибка: [ɐˈʂɨbkə]

неверный: [nʲɪˈvʲernɨj]

Note on неправильный: The stress falls on the third syllable ('prav'), and the initial 'н' is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not correct, accurate, or true (e.g., as an adjective describing errors in fact or action)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неправильный - Used in formal or educational contexts, such as criticizing a method or answer.
• неверный - Applied in situations involving falsehood, like in logic or relationships.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Этот ответ неправильный, потому что он не соответствует фактам. (This answer is wrong because it doesn't match the facts.)

  English Translation: This answer is wrong because it doesn't match the facts.

• Русский пример: В математике неверный расчёт может привести к ошибкам. (In math, a wrong calculation can lead to mistakes.)

  English Translation: In math, a wrong calculation can lead to mistakes.

• Русский пример: Её решение было неправильным в данном контексте. (Her decision was wrong in this context.)

  English Translation: Her decision was wrong in this context.

• Русский пример: Не верьте неверным данным из ненадёжных источников. (Don't believe wrong data from unreliable sources.)

  English Translation: Don't believe wrong data from unreliable sources.

• Русский пример: Неправильный подход к проблеме только ухудшит ситуацию. (A wrong approach to the problem will only worsen the situation.)

  English Translation: A wrong approach to the problem will only worsen the situation.

Meaning 2: A mistake, error, or injustice (e.g., as a noun referring to something incorrect or unfair)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ошибка - Common in everyday language for personal or technical errors, often in informal settings.
• неправильный - Less common as a noun equivalent, but can imply an erroneous action in formal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Я совершил ошибку, не проверив факты заранее. (I made a wrong move by not checking the facts beforehand.)

  English Translation: I made a wrong move by not checking the facts beforehand.

• Русский пример: Эта ошибка в отчёте может стоить нам дорого. (This wrong in the report could cost us dearly.)

  English Translation: This wrong in the report could cost us dearly.

• Русский пример: Исправление ошибки требует времени и усилий. (Fixing the wrong requires time and effort.)

  English Translation: Fixing the wrong requires time and effort.

• Русский пример: В суде они обсуждали несправедливость как большую ошибку. (In court, they discussed the injustice as a major wrong.)

  English Translation: In court, they discussed the injustice as a major wrong.

• Русский пример: Ошибка в общении иногда приводит к недоразумениям. (A wrong in communication sometimes leads to misunderstandings.)

  English Translation: A wrong in communication sometimes leads to misunderstandings.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'неправильный' (adjective), it follows standard Russian adjective declension patterns, changing based on gender, number, and case. It is a regular adjective.

For 'ошибка' (noun, feminine), it is a first-declension noun with regular inflections based on case and number. It does not have irregularities.

'Неверный' follows the same adjective declension as 'неправильный'.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Ошибочный (similar to 'wrong' but emphasizes error in judgment; often used in formal contexts)
  • Неверный (interchangeable with 'неправильный' in factual errors)
  • Несоответствующий (implies not matching standards)
• Antonyms:
  • Правильный (correct)
  • Верный (accurate or true)

Related Phrases:

• Сделать ошибку - (To make a mistake; used in contexts of personal error or regret)
• Неправильный выбор - (Wrong choice; common in decision-making scenarios)
• Исправить ошибку - (To correct a wrong; implies fixing an error in work or behavior)

Usage Notes:

• The English 'wrong' as an adjective often translates to 'неправильный' in formal settings, but 'ошибка' is preferred for nouns. Choose based on context: use 'неверный' for intellectual falsehoods.
• In Russian, adjectives like 'неправильный' must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which has no direct equivalent in English.
• Avoid using these in overly casual speech; 'ошибка' is neutral and versatile, while 'неправильный' suits written or professional language.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'неправильный' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "неправильный дом" when it should be "неправильная дом" for feminine nouns. Correct: "неправильный дом" (if masculine). Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender; English learners often forget this.
• Error: Confusing 'ошибка' with 'проблема' (problem), leading to phrases like "Это ошибка" when meaning "This is a problem." Correct: Use 'проблема' for issues, not errors. Explanation: 'Ошибка' specifically denotes a mistake, not a general issue.
• Error: Overusing 'неверный' in everyday speech; it's more formal. Correct: In casual talk, opt for 'неправильный'. Explanation: This can make speech sound overly literary.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, admitting a 'ошибка' (wrong or mistake) is often seen as a sign of humility and growth, especially in education and personal development. Historically, in Soviet-era literature, themes of 'wrong' decisions under pressure (e.g., in war or politics) are common, reflecting broader societal introspection.

Related Concepts:

• Правильный (correct)
• Ошибка в расчёте (calculation error)
• Несоответствие (inconsistency)