Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bourgeoisie'

English Word: bourgeoisie

Key Russian Translations:

• буржуазия [bʊrʒʊˈazʲɪjə] - [Formal, Often used in political or historical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in academic, political, or historical discussions)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate - Requires understanding of socio-political context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

буржуазия: [bʊrʒʊˈazʲɪjə]

Note on буржуазия: Stress falls on the third syllable ("a"). The "zh" sound is like the 's' in "measure".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Middle or Capitalist Class (Socio-Economic Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• буржуазия - Refers to the capitalist or middle class, often with a negative connotation in Soviet or Marxist contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Буржуазия эксплуатировала рабочий класс в XIX веке.

  The bourgeoisie exploited the working class in the 19th century.

• В советской идеологии буржуазия считалась врагом пролетариата.

  In Soviet ideology, the bourgeoisie was considered the enemy of the proletariat.

• Он критиковал буржуазию за их жадность и эгоизм.

  He criticized the bourgeoisie for their greed and selfishness.

• Буржуазия играла ключевую роль в развитии капитализма.

  The bourgeoisie played a key role in the development of capitalism.

• Его взгляды на буржуазию были сформированы марксистской теорией.

  His views on the bourgeoisie were shaped by Marxist theory.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

буржуазия is a feminine noun (1st declension). It follows standard Russian noun declension patterns for feminine nouns ending in -ия.

Note: This noun is typically used in the singular form as it refers to a collective concept. Plural forms are rare and context-dependent.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• капиталисты (capitalists - often used interchangeably in political contexts)
• средний класс (middle class - more neutral, less ideological)

Antonyms:

• пролетариат (proletariat - the working class, often contrasted in Marxist theory)
• рабочий класс (working class - similar to proletariat)

Related Phrases:

• мелкая буржуазия - "petty bourgeoisie" (refers to small business owners or lower middle class)
• буржуазная революция - "bourgeois revolution" (a revolution led by the bourgeoisie, often historically)
• буржуазные ценности - "bourgeois values" (values associated with materialism or capitalism)

Usage Notes:

• The Russian term буржуазия often carries a negative connotation, especially in historical or political discussions influenced by Soviet ideology. Unlike the English "bourgeoisie," which can be neutral, the Russian term is frequently used in a critical or derogatory sense.
• It is primarily used in formal, academic, or ideological contexts rather than everyday conversation.
• Be mindful of the context when translating "bourgeoisie" to Russian, as a more neutral term like средний класс might be appropriate in non-political discussions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using буржуазия in casual or neutral contexts to refer to the middle class.
  Incorrect: "Моя семья - буржуазия." (My family is bourgeoisie.)
  Correct: "Моя семья относится к среднему классу." (My family belongs to the middle class.)
  Explanation: буржуазия implies a socio-political critique and is inappropriate for neutral descriptions of social status.
• Error: Mispronouncing the stress as [ˈbʊrʒʊazʲɪjə].
  Explanation: The stress is on the third syllable, not the first. Incorrect stress can make the word sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the term буржуазия is heavily associated with Marxist-Leninist ideology due to the Soviet Union's historical emphasis on class struggle. It often evokes images of exploitation and capitalism, contrasting with the glorified image of the proletariat. Understanding this cultural and historical baggage is crucial for accurate usage, as the term is rarely neutral.

Related Concepts:

• пролетариат (proletariat)
• капитализм (capitalism)
• классовая борьба (class struggle)