Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Battalion'

English Word: Battalion

Key Russian Translations:

• батальон [bɐtɐlʲˈon] - [Formal, Military Context]

Frequency: Medium (often used in military or historical contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Pronunciation and declension may pose challenges

Pronunciation (Russian):

батальон: [bɐtɐlʲˈon]

Note on батальон: Stress falls on the last syllable. The soft 'л' sound ([lʲ]) may be tricky for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Military Unit (Primary Meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• батальон - Refers to a military unit typically consisting of several companies, used in formal and military contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Батальон был отправлен на передовую линию.

  The battalion was sent to the front line.

• Командир батальона отдал приказ отступить.

  The battalion commander gave the order to retreat.

• В этом батальоне служат опытные солдаты.

  Experienced soldiers serve in this battalion.

• Батальон участвовал в решающей битве.

  The battalion took part in the decisive battle.

• Мы формируем новый батальон для поддержки войск.

  We are forming a new battalion to support the troops.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

батальон is a masculine noun in Russian and follows the regular declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• подразделение (subdivision, broader term)
• часть (unit, more general military term)

Note: 'подразделение' and 'часть' are broader and can refer to various military units, not specifically a battalion.

Antonyms:

• No direct antonyms, as 'battalion' is a specific military term.

Related Phrases:

• мотострелковый батальон - Motorized rifle battalion (a specific type of battalion in the Russian military)
• командир батальона - Battalion commander (the leader of a battalion)
• батальон связи - Communications battalion (a battalion specializing in military communications)

Usage Notes:

• The term 'батальон' is a direct equivalent of 'battalion' and is almost exclusively used in military contexts to denote a specific unit size.
• It is a formal term and not typically used metaphorically or in casual speech.
• Be mindful of the grammatical case when using 'батальон' in a sentence, as Russian nouns decline based on their role in the sentence (see the declension table above).

Common Errors:

• Error: Incorrect case usage, e.g., using Nominative 'батальон' instead of Genitive 'батальона' after prepositions like 'из' (from).

  Incorrect: Я вернулся из батальон.

  Correct: Я вернулся из батальона.

  Explanation: The preposition 'из' requires the Genitive case in Russian.

• Error: Mispronunciation by stressing the wrong syllable, e.g., stressing the first syllable instead of the last.

  Incorrect Pronunciation: [ˈbɐtɐlʲon]

  Correct Pronunciation: [bɐtɐlʲˈon]

  Explanation: Stress in Russian is crucial as it can change meaning or sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the term 'батальон' often evokes strong historical associations, particularly with World War II (referred to as the Great Patriotic War in Russia). Battalions played significant roles in key battles, and the term may carry a sense of valor or sacrifice in historical or patriotic contexts.

Related Concepts:

• рота (company - a smaller military unit within a battalion)
• полк (regiment - a larger military unit that includes battalions)
• дивизия (division - an even larger military unit)