Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'avant'

English Word: avant

Key Russian Translations:

• авангард [ɐvɐnˈɡard] - [Formal, Used in artistic or cultural contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions of art, literature, and culture, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding cultural and historical contexts; suitable for learners with basic vocabulary and grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

авангард: [ɐvɐnˈɡard]

Note on авангард: The stress falls on the last syllable ('ɡard'). Pronunciation may vary slightly by regional dialect, with a harder 'г' sound in some areas.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A pioneering or innovative movement, especially in art, culture, or ideas (e.g., referring to 'avant-garde' in English)

Translation(s) & Context:

• авангард - Used in formal discussions of modern art or social innovation, often implying something experimental or ahead of its time.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: В начале XX века авангард в искусстве революционизировал традиционные формы.

  English Translation: In the early 20th century, the avant-garde in art revolutionized traditional forms.

• Русский пример: Этот фильм — классический пример советского авангарда, сочетающий абстракцию и политический комментарий.

  English Translation: This film is a classic example of Soviet avant-garde, combining abstraction and political commentary.

• Русский пример: Авангард в моде часто отталкивается от уличной культуры, создавая неожиданные комбинации.

  English Translation: Avant-garde in fashion often draws from street culture, creating unexpected combinations.

• Русский пример: Художники авангарда в России, такие как Кандинский, повлияли на мировое искусство.

  English Translation: Avant-garde artists in Russia, such as Kandinsky, influenced global art.

• Русский пример: Авангард не всегда популярен сразу, но со временем он становится основой для новых тенденций.

  English Translation: Avant-garde is not always popular immediately, but over time it becomes the foundation for new trends.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Авангард" is a masculine noun in Russian (2nd declension). It follows regular patterns for most cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in some contexts (e.g., as a proper noun for specific movements), but generally follows standard masculine noun rules without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • передовой (peredovoy) - More general, meaning 'advanced' or 'leading', often used in non-artistic contexts.
  • инновационный (innovatsionnyy) - Emphasizes innovation, with subtle differences in connotation from авангард, which implies cultural rebellion.
• Antonyms:
  • традиционный (traditsionnyy) - Meaning 'traditional', highlighting the opposite of innovative approaches.
  • консервативный (konservativnyy) - Implies resistance to change, often in cultural or social contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Авангардное искусство - Refers to 'avant-garde art', a common phrase in cultural discussions.
• Движение авангарда - Means 'avant-garde movement', used when talking about historical art periods.
• Авангардный подход - Translates to 'avant-garde approach', often in business or innovation contexts, with a connotation of experimental strategies.

Usage Notes:

• The English word 'avant' is not commonly used alone; it likely refers to 'avant-garde'. In Russian, 'авангард' is a direct equivalent and is typically formal. Use it in contexts like art criticism or history, not casual conversation.
• When translating, choose 'авангард' for cultural or artistic innovation, but consider 'передовой' for broader applications to avoid overemphasis on rebellion.
• Grammatically, as a masculine noun, it requires agreement in gender, number, and case (e.g., with adjectives: "русский авангард" for "Russian avant-garde").
• In modern Russian, it's often associated with 20th-century art, so provide historical context when using it.

Common Errors:

• Error: Misusing 'авангард' as a synonym for any 'modern' thing, e.g., saying "Это авангардный телефон" (This is an avant-garde phone) when it means innovative tech.
  Correct: Use 'инновационный' instead, as 'авангард' implies cultural or artistic innovation. Explanation: 'Авангард' has a specific historical and artistic connotation, not just 'new' or 'trendy'.
• Error: Forgetting case agreement, e.g., saying "в авангард" instead of "в авангарде" in prepositional case.
  Correct: "В авангарде искусства" (In the avant-garde of art). Explanation: Russian nouns change based on case, so always check the context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'авангард' is deeply tied to early 20th-century movements like Suprematism and Constructivism, influenced by artists such as Malevich and Tatlin. It often symbolizes rebellion against tsarist and later Soviet norms, reflecting broader themes of revolution and modernity in Russian history.

Related Concepts:

• Супрематизм (Suprematism)
• Конструктивизм (Constructivism)
• Модернизм (Modernism)