Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'capitulation'

English Word: capitulation

Key Russian Translations:

• капитуляция (/kəpɪtʊˈlaʦɨə/) - [Formal; Used in historical, military, or legal contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word is encountered in historical texts, news, and formal discussions but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and formal vocabulary, suitable for upper-intermediate learners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

капитуляция: /kəpɪtʊˈlaʦɨə/ (The stress is on the fourth syllable; note the soft 'ц' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

Note on капитуляция: The 'ю' sound is pronounced like 'yu' in "yule," and the final 'я' is a soft 'ya.' Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Surrender or giving up in a military or conflict context

Translation(s) & Context:

• капитуляция - Used in formal settings to describe the act of surrendering in war or negotiations, often implying defeat.

Usage Examples:

• Во время войны 1945 года Германия подписала капитуляцию.

  During the 1945 war, Germany signed the capitulation.

• Армия была вынуждена принять капитуляцию после длительной осады.

  The army was forced to accept capitulation after a prolonged siege.

• Капитуляция нации привела к значительным политическим изменениям.

  The nation's capitulation led to significant political changes.

• В переговорах стороны обсуждали условия капитуляции.

  In the negotiations, the parties discussed the terms of capitulation.

• Историки изучают причины капитуляции в ключевых битвах.

  Historians study the reasons for capitulation in key battles.

2. General submission or yielding in non-military contexts

Translation(s) & Context:

• капитуляция - Applied metaphorically in everyday or business scenarios to mean giving in, though less common; often formal.

Usage Examples:

• В споре он выбрал капитуляцию, чтобы избежать дальнейшего конфликта.

  In the argument, he chose capitulation to avoid further conflict.

• Компания пошла на капитуляцию в переговорах с конкурентами.

  The company opted for capitulation in negotiations with competitors.

• Её капитуляция в этом вопросе удивила всех присутствующих.

  Her capitulation on this issue surprised everyone present.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Капитуляция" is a feminine noun (feminine singular) in Russian, following the first declension pattern. It undergoes regular changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This word is invariable in terms of gender and follows standard rules for feminine nouns ending in -я.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сдача (sdacha) - More general term for surrender, often used in casual contexts.
  • уступка (ustupka) - Implies concession or yielding, with a nuance of compromise.
• Antonyms:
  • победа (pobeda) - Victory, directly opposite in military or competitive scenarios.
  • сопротивление (soprotivleniye) - Resistance, emphasizing opposition rather than submission.

Related Phrases:

• Подписать капитуляцию - To sign the capitulation; Used in historical or formal agreements (e.g., in peace treaties).
• Принять капитуляцию - To accept capitulation; Common in military contexts to indicate surrender acceptance.
• Условия капитуляции - Terms of capitulation; Refers to the conditions set for surrender.

Usage Notes:

"Капитуляция" directly corresponds to the English "capitulation" in formal and historical contexts, but it is rarely used in everyday Russian speech. English learners should note its formal tone and association with defeat or submission. When choosing between translations like "сдача," opt for "капитуляция" in written or official contexts for precision. Grammatically, always ensure it agrees with the case required by the sentence structure, as Russian nouns must inflect.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "капитуляция" in plural form incorrectly, e.g., saying "капитуляций" when referring to a single event. Correct: Use singular for specific instances. Example: Incorrect - "Они сделали капитуляций." Correct - "Они подписали капитуляцию." Explanation: Russian nouns require proper number agreement; "капитуляция" is typically singular for events.

• Error: Mispronouncing the stress or soft consonants, leading to confusion with similar words. Correct: Practice the IPA /kəpɪtʊˈlaʦɨə/ to avoid sounding unnatural. Explanation: English speakers often stress the wrong syllable, which can alter the word's perceived meaning in conversation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, "капитуляция" is often linked to significant events like the end of World War II, evoking themes of national resilience and defeat. It carries a connotation of humiliation, influencing its use in literature and media to discuss Russia's past struggles, such as in WWII narratives, where it symbolizes the cost of war and the importance of victory in Russian identity.

Related Concepts:

• поражение (porazheniye) - Defeat
• перемирие (peremiriye) - Armistice
• война (voyna) - War