Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Blockade'

English Word: blockade

Key Russian Translations:

• блокада [blɐˈkadə] - [Formal, Commonly Used]
• блокирование [blɐkʲɪˈrɐvənʲɪjə] - [Formal, Less Common]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

блокада: [blɐˈkadə]

Note on блокада: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'о' is pronounced as a reduced 'a' sound in unstressed position.

блокирование: [blɐkʲɪˈrɐvənʲɪjə]

Note on блокирование: Stress falls on the third syllable. Pay attention to the soft 'р' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Military or Political Blockade (e.g., of a city or port)

Translation(s) & Context:

• блокада - Used in contexts of military or economic isolation of a specific area.

Usage Examples:

• Во время войны была установлена блокада города.

  During the war, a blockade of the city was established.

• Блокада Ленинграда длилась почти 900 дней.

  The blockade of Leningrad lasted almost 900 days.

• Экономическая блокада вызвала нехватку товаров.

  The economic blockade caused a shortage of goods.

2. General Blocking or Obstruction (e.g., of actions or processes)

Translation(s) & Context:

• блокирование - Used in abstract or technical contexts for blocking or preventing something.

Usage Examples:

• Блокирование счета произошло из-за подозрительной активности.

  The blocking of the account happened due to suspicious activity.

• Блокирование дороги создало огромные пробки.

  The blockade of the road caused massive traffic jams.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

блокада (feminine noun): Follows the standard feminine noun declension in Russian.

блокирование (neuter noun): Follows the standard neuter noun declension. Derived from the verb "блокировать" (to block).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for блокада:

• осада (siege, often used in military contexts)
• изоляция (isolation, broader term)

Note: "осада" is more specific to sieges, while "изоляция" can refer to non-military isolation.

Antonyms for блокада:

• доступ (access)
• освобождение (liberation)

Related Phrases:

• установить блокаду - to establish a blockade
• снять блокаду - to lift a blockade
• экономическая блокада - economic blockade

Usage Notes:

• "блокада" is the primary and most common translation for "blockade," especially in historical, military, or political contexts. It directly corresponds to the English term in most cases.
• "блокирование" is more abstract and often used for non-physical blocking, such as blocking an account or a process. It is less common and more formal or technical.
• Be mindful of the context when choosing between these translations, as "блокада" is almost always tied to a physical or territorial restriction.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "блокирование" in a military context. Incorrect: "Блокирование города во время войны." Correct: "Блокада города во время войны." (Explanation: "блокирование" is not idiomatic for military blockades; "блокада" is the standard term.)
• Error: Mispronouncing "блокада" with stress on the first syllable. (Explanation: Stress must be on the second syllable [blɐˈkadə]; incorrect stress can lead to misunderstandings.)

Cultural Notes:

The term "блокада" holds significant historical weight in Russian culture, particularly due to the Blockade of Leningrad during World War II (1941–1944). This event is a symbol of endurance and tragedy in Russian history, and mentioning "блокада" often evokes this specific context for native speakers.

Related Concepts:

• осада (siege)
• эмбарго (embargo)
• изоляция (isolation)