Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'apolitical'

English Word: apolitical

Key Russian Translations:

• аполитичный [a.pɐ.lʲiˈtʲi.nɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]

Frequency: Medium (This word is not extremely common in everyday Russian but appears in discussions about politics, philosophy, or social issues.)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and their inflections, as per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

аполитичный: [a.pɐ.lʲiˈtʲi.nɨj]

Note on аполитичный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("tʲi"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's variable stress patterns. The "лʲ" sound is a palatalized 'l', softer than in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not interested in or concerned with politics; neutral in political matters.

Translation(s) & Context:

• аполитичный - Used in formal contexts, such as academic discussions, journalism, or philosophical texts, to describe individuals, organizations, or stances that avoid political involvement.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда был аполитичным человеком, избегая любых политических дебатов.

  He was always an apolitical person, avoiding any political debates.

• Эта организация придерживается аполитичной позиции, фокусируясь только на гуманитарной помощи.

  This organization maintains an apolitical position, focusing solely on humanitarian aid.

• В молодости она была аполитичной, но со временем её взгляды изменились.

  In her youth, she was apolitical, but over time her views changed.

• Аполитичный подход к проблемам общества часто критикуют за пассивность.

  An apolitical approach to societal issues is often criticized for its passivity.

• Многие учёные стараются оставаться аполитичными в своих исследованиях.

  Many scholars strive to remain apolitical in their research.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Аполитичный" is an adjective in Russian, which means it inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for adjectives ending in -ый. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward once the basic adjective patterns are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • незаинтересованный в политике (nezainteresovannyy v politike) - More literal, emphasizing lack of interest, often used in casual contexts.
  • нейтральный (neytrahlnyy) - Similar but broader, implying neutrality in various contexts, not just politics.
• Antonyms:
  • политический (politicheskiy) - Directly opposite, meaning involved in or related to politics.
  • партийный (partiynyy) - Specifically tied to political parties or affiliations.

Related Phrases:

• аполитичная позиция - An apolitical position; used in debates about neutrality in organizations or individuals.
• аполитичный взгляд - An apolitical viewpoint; common in philosophical or social discussions to describe unbiased perspectives.
• оставаться аполитичным - To remain apolitical; a phrase often used in contexts where one avoids taking sides in conflicts.

Usage Notes:

"Аполитичный" directly corresponds to the English "apolitical" but is typically used in more formal or intellectual settings in Russian, such as in media, academia, or literature. It implies a deliberate choice to avoid politics, which may carry a connotation of neutrality or detachment. When choosing between translations like "аполитичный" and "нейтральный", opt for "аполитичный" if the context specifically excludes political involvement. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun they describe. For example, it's common in Russian to pair this with nouns like "человек" (person) or "организация" (organization).

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "аполитичный" with "политический" and using it incorrectly in sentences. For instance, an English learner might say "Он политический" when meaning "He is apolitical."

  Correct Usage: Он аполитичный. (He is apolitical.)

  Explanation: "Политический" means "political," so it conveys the opposite meaning. Always check the root word for accuracy.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect the adjective properly, e.g., saying "аполитичный женщина" instead of "аполитичная женщина."

  Correct Usage: Аполитичная женщина. (An apolitical woman.)

  Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun, which is a common pitfall for speakers of non-inflected languages like English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, being "аполитичный" (apolitical) has often been viewed with skepticism, especially during the Soviet era, where neutrality could be seen as a form of dissent or avoidance. Today, it reflects a desire for objectivity in a society with strong political undercurrents, such as in discussions about government policies or international relations.

Related Concepts:

• нейтральный (neutral)
• объективный (objective)
• независимый (independent)