Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Ballot'

English Word: Ballot

Key Russian Translations:

• бюллетень [bʲʊlʲɪˈtʲenʲ] - [Formal, Used in elections or voting contexts]
• голосование [ɡələsɐˈvanʲɪjə] - [Neutral, Refers to the act of voting or a ballot as a process]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in political or formal contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

бюллетень: [bʲʊlʲɪˈtʲenʲ]

Note on бюллетень: Stress falls on the third syllable. The soft 'л' sound can be tricky for non-native speakers.

голосование: [ɡələsɐˈvanʲɪjə]

Note on голосование: Stress on the fourth syllable. Ensure the 'о' sounds are reduced in unstressed positions.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A piece of paper or document used to cast a vote (Physical Ballot)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бюллетень - Primarily used to refer to the physical voting slip or ballot paper in elections.

Usage Examples:

• Избиратель заполнил бюллетень и опустил его в урну.

  The voter filled out the ballot and dropped it into the ballot box.

• На выборах были обнаружены поддельные бюллетени.

  Fake ballots were discovered during the elections.

• Каждый бюллетень должен быть подписан наблюдателем.

  Each ballot must be signed by an observer.

2. The act or process of voting (Voting Process)

Translation(s) & Context:

• голосование - Refers to the process or act of voting, often used in a broader sense than a physical ballot.

Usage Examples:

• Голосование начнется в 8 утра.

  Voting will start at 8 a.m.

• Результаты голосования будут объявлены завтра.

  The results of the ballot will be announced tomorrow.

• Электронное голосование становится популярным.

  Electronic voting is becoming popular.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

бюллетень (Noun, Masculine):

голосование (Noun, Neuter): This noun does not change form in the singular across cases, except for minor prepositional adjustments. Plural forms are rare as it is mostly used in the singular.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for бюллетень:

• избирательный лист
• анкета (in some survey contexts)

Note: "избирательный лист" is less common and more formal than "бюллетень".

Synonyms for голосование:

• выборы (in the context of elections)
• опрос (in the context of surveys or polls)

Antonyms: None directly applicable for either term.

Related Phrases:

• сдать бюллетень - To submit a ballot (literal).
• тайное голосование - Secret ballot/voting.
• открытое голосование - Open ballot/voting.
• подсчет бюллетеней - Counting of ballots.

Usage Notes:

• "бюллетень" specifically refers to the physical ballot paper or document used in voting, while "голосование" refers to the act or process of voting. English speakers should choose based on whether they mean the object or the action.
• "бюллетень" can also mean "bulletin" or "newsletter" in other contexts, so context is crucial to avoid confusion.
• "голосование" is often used in formal and informal settings to discuss elections or decision-making processes.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "бюллетень" to describe the act of voting.
  Incorrect: Я сделал бюллетень вчера. (I made a ballot yesterday.)
  Correct: Я участвовал в голосовании вчера. (I participated in voting yesterday.)
  Explanation: "бюллетень" is the physical object, not the action.
• Error: Misusing "голосование" for a ballot paper.
  Incorrect: Дайте мне голосование. (Give me a voting.)
  Correct: Дайте мне бюллетень. (Give me a ballot.)
  Explanation: "голосование" refers to the process, not the physical item.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, the term "бюллетень" is deeply associated with the electoral process, and discussions around voting often carry significant political and historical weight due to the country's history of elections and referendums. "Тайное голосование" (secret ballot) is a concept emphasized in democratic contexts and may evoke discussions about transparency and fairness in Russian culture.

Related Concepts:

• выборы (elections)
• избиратель (voter)
• урна (ballot box)
• кандидат (candidate)