Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Brotherly'

English Word: brotherly

Key Russian Translations:

• братский [ˈbratskʲɪj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• братний [ˈbratnʲɪj] - [Less Common, Poetic]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

братский: [ˈbratskʲɪj]

Note on братский: The stress falls on the first syllable, and the 'т' is pronounced softly due to palatalization before 'с'.

братний: [ˈbratnʲɪj]

Note on братний: Less commonly used, with a slightly archaic or poetic tone. Stress is on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Relating to or characteristic of a brother (literal or metaphorical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• братский - Used to describe a relationship or feeling akin to that between brothers, often in a positive, supportive sense (e.g., brotherly love or solidarity).
• братний - Rarely used, but can appear in older texts or poetic contexts with a similar meaning.

Usage Examples:

• Он проявил братскую заботу о своём друге.

  He showed brotherly care for his friend.

• Братская любовь объединила их в трудные времена.

  Brotherly love united them in difficult times.

• Мы должны поддерживать братские отношения между нашими странами.

  We must maintain brotherly relations between our countries.

• Его братский совет помог мне принять решение.

  His brotherly advice helped me make a decision.

• В старых текстах можно встретить слово "братний" в значении братского единства.

  In old texts, one can find the word "братний" in the sense of brotherly unity.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

братский (Adjective): As a Russian adjective, it declines according to gender, number, and case. Below is a simplified declension table for the singular forms:

братний (Adjective): Follows similar declension patterns as "братский," though it is less common and often restricted to specific contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• дружеский (friendly, amicable - broader in meaning but can overlap)
• товарищеский (comradely - often used in a collective or ideological sense)

Antonyms:

• враждебный (hostile)
• чуждый (alien, foreign)

Related Phrases:

• братская любовь - Brotherly love, often used to describe deep affection or solidarity.
• братская помощь - Brotherly help, referring to assistance given in a spirit of kinship.
• братские народы - Brotherly peoples, a historical term often used in Soviet contexts to describe allied or related nations.

Usage Notes:

• "братский" is the primary and most versatile translation of "brotherly," suitable for both literal (related to a brother) and metaphorical (fraternal feelings or solidarity) contexts.
• "братний" is archaic and rarely used in modern Russian, appearing mostly in historical or literary texts. English learners should prioritize "братский."
• The term "братский" can sometimes carry a cultural or ideological connotation, especially in phrases like "братские народы," which was common in Soviet rhetoric.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "братский" interchangeably with "брат" (brother). For example, saying "мой братский" instead of "мой брат" to mean "my brother."
  Explanation: "братский" is an adjective, not a noun. The correct form for "my brother" is "мой брат."
• Error: Misusing "братний" in modern contexts. For example, "братний совет" instead of "братский совет" for "brotherly advice."
  Explanation: "братний" is outdated and sounds unnatural in contemporary speech. Use "братский" instead.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "brotherly" ties, especially in the form of "братские отношения" (brotherly relations), often extends beyond family to include close friendships or national alliances. During the Soviet era, "братский" was frequently used in propaganda to emphasize unity among socialist countries (e.g., "братские народы" - brotherly peoples). Understanding this historical context can help learners grasp the emotional and ideological weight of the term in certain contexts.

Related Concepts:

• дружба (friendship)
• товарищество (comradeship)
• единство (unity)