Significado
To notify someone of something
Contexto cultural
In Russian offices, hierarchy is often more pronounced than in the West. Using 'ставить в известность' shows that you respect the chain of command and understand that certain information must be 'officially' transmitted. Russia has a deep-seated tradition of 'paper-based' bureaucracy. This phrase is a linguistic reflection of that—it's like a verbal stamp on a document. Russians use language to clearly mark the boundary between 'svoi' (ours/friends) and 'chuzhie' (others/officials). This phrase is a tool for maintaining that 'official' distance. During the Soviet era, 'канцелярит' (chancellery speak) became a way to sound authoritative. While modern Russian is becoming more informal, these structures remain essential for professional credibility.
The 'Responsibility' Marker
Use this phrase when you want to create a 'paper trail' in a conversation. It signals that the other person is now responsible for the information.
Case Alert!
Never use the Dative case for the person. It's always Accusative. 'Ставить (кого?) директора', not 'директору'.
Significado
To notify someone of something
The 'Responsibility' Marker
Use this phrase when you want to create a 'paper trail' in a conversation. It signals that the other person is now responsible for the information.
Case Alert!
Never use the Dative case for the person. It's always Accusative. 'Ставить (кого?) директора', not 'директору'.
Tone Check
In a relationship, this phrase can sound like a 'breakup' tone. Use it sparingly with loved ones unless you are making a very firm, non-negotiable point.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct form of the verb and the person in the correct case.
Я должен ________ (поставить) ________ (директор) в известность о результатах проверки.
We need the perfective infinitive 'поставить' after 'должен' and the Accusative case for 'директор'.
Which situation is MOST appropriate for using 'ставить в известность'?
Choose the best context:
This is a formal/official notification where a record of the information is important.
Match the Russian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
All pairs are correctly matched to show the spectrum of formality.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
Сотрудник: 'Извините, я забыл ________ вас в известность о том, что клиент отменил встречу.'
The fixed idiom is 'поставить в известность'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosЯ должен ________ (поставить) ________ (директор) в известность о результатах проверки.
We need the perfective infinitive 'поставить' after 'должен' and the Accusative case for 'директор'.
Choose the best context:
This is a formal/official notification where a record of the information is important.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
All pairs are correctly matched to show the spectrum of formality.
Сотрудник: 'Извините, я забыл ________ вас в известность о том, что клиент отменил встречу.'
The fixed idiom is 'поставить в известность'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it can be used for any official information, but because it is formal, it often accompanies serious or important news.
You can, but it will sound very formal or even cold. It's like saying 'I am officially notifying you' instead of 'I'm telling you.'
'Сообщить' is neutral. 'Ставить в известность' is formal and implies an official act of notification.
Both are correct. Use 'о + Prepositional case' for a noun (о встрече) and 'что' for a clause (что встреча отменена).
Use 'ставить' for the general idea or repeated actions, and 'поставить' for a specific, one-time notification.
The first 't' (in the middle) is usually silent in standard Russian pronunciation. The final 't' is soft and audible.
Only if it's a formal text to a client or boss. In a casual chat, it's too heavy.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but 'скрывать' (to hide/conceal) is the functional opposite.
Not necessarily, but it implies they can no longer say 'I didn't know.'
Rarely. Usually, you'll see 'Меня поставили в известность' (They put me into knowledge/I was informed).
Frases relacionadas
Доводить до сведения
synonymTo bring to the attention
Уведомлять
synonymTo notify
Держать в курсе
similarTo keep in the loop
Вводить в курс дела
builds onTo brief someone
Сообщать
similarTo inform
