Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Caste'

English Word: caste

Key Russian Translations:

• каста [ˈkastə] - [Formal, Neutral]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

каста: [ˈkastə]

Note on каста: The stress is on the first syllable, which is common for borrowed words in Russian. Ensure the 'a' sounds are pronounced clearly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Social Class or Group (Hereditary System)

Translation(s) & Context:

• каста - Refers to a hereditary social class, often used in historical or cultural discussions, especially regarding India.

Usage Examples:

• В Индии каста определяет социальный статус человека с рождения.

  In India, caste determines a person's social status from birth.

• Каста жрецов имела большое влияние в древних обществах.

  The caste of priests had significant influence in ancient societies.

• Он изучал систему каст в университете.

  He studied the caste system at university.

• Слово "каста" иногда используется метафорически для описания закрытых групп.

  The word "caste" is sometimes used metaphorically to describe closed groups.

• Касты в современном мире часто обсуждаются в контексте дискриминации.

  Castes in the modern world are often discussed in the context of discrimination.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word каста is a feminine noun in Russian. It follows the standard declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -а.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• сословие (more general term for social class or estate, often historical)
• группа (broad term for group, less specific to hereditary systems)

Antonyms:

• равенство (equality, as an opposing concept to hierarchical caste systems)

Related Phrases:

• кастовая система - caste system (refers to the traditional social hierarchy, especially in India)
• принадлежать к касте - to belong to a caste (used to indicate someone's social group)
• кастовые предрассудки - caste prejudices (refers to discrimination based on caste)

Usage Notes:

• The Russian word каста is a direct borrowing from European languages and is primarily used in the context of discussing the Indian caste system or metaphorically for exclusive social groups.
• It is a formal or neutral term and does not carry colloquial connotations in everyday speech.
• Unlike in English, where "caste" might occasionally be used more broadly, in Russian, it is almost always tied to its cultural or historical meaning.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using каста to describe any social class or group without a hereditary or cultural context. For example, saying "Эта каста бизнесменов" (This caste of businessmen) sounds unnatural.
  Correction: Use группа or сословие for more general or non-hereditary groups, e.g., "Эта группа бизнесменов" (This group of businessmen).
• Error: Incorrect stress placement when pronouncing каста as [kasˈta] instead of [ˈkastə].
  Correction: Always stress the first syllable: [ˈkastə].

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the term каста is strongly associated with the Indian caste system due to historical and cultural discussions in literature and education. It may evoke images of rigid social hierarchies and is often used in academic or formal contexts. Russian speakers might not readily apply it to other hierarchical systems unless explicitly drawing a parallel.

Related Concepts:

• сословие (estate or class, often historical)
• иерархия (hierarchy)
• дискриминация (discrimination, often tied to caste discussions)