Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'caucus'

English Word: caucus

Key Russian Translations:

• каукус [ˈkaʊkəs] - [Borrowed term, used in political contexts, often informal in Russian media discussions of US politics]
• партийное собрание [pɐrˈtʲijnəjə səbrɐˈnʲije] - [Formal, refers to party meetings or assemblies]
• закрытое совещание [zɐˈkrijətə sɐvʲɪˈʃenʲije] - [Formal, implies a closed or private meeting, often in organizational contexts]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation; it's more prevalent in political journalism or discussions about foreign affairs.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves specialized political vocabulary; "каукус" is straightforward for learners familiar with loanwords, while "партийное собрание" requires understanding of Russian noun declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

каукус: [ˈkaʊkəs]

партийное собрание: [pɐrˈtʲijnəjə səbrɐˈnʲije]

закрытое совещание: [zɐˈkrijətə sɐvʲɪˈʃenʲije]

Note on каукус: This is a direct borrowing from English, so it's pronounced similarly, with stress on the first syllable. Note the soft "к" sound, which can be tricky for beginners.

Note on партийное собрание: The word "партийное" has a soft "тʲ" that affects the preceding vowel; practice with native speakers for accurate intonation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Political meeting or assembly (primary meaning in English)

Translation(s) & Context:

• каукус - Used specifically in contexts discussing US political processes, such as primaries; often in formal or journalistic settings.
• партийное собрание - Applies to general party gatherings in Russian politics; suitable for formal discussions or historical contexts.
• закрытое совещание - Refers to private or exclusive meetings, emphasizing confidentiality; used in broader organizational scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• В Айове ежегодно проводится каукус, где участники голосуют за кандидатов.

  In Iowa, a caucus is held annually where participants vote for candidates.

• Партийное собрание демократов собрало множество делегатов для обсуждения стратегии.

  The Democratic Party's caucus gathered many delegates to discuss strategy.

• Закрытое совещание лидеров фракции прошло без посторонних.

  The caucus of faction leaders took place privately without outsiders.

• Каукус в Конгрессе США повлиял на международные отношения, и это обсуждалось в российских СМИ.

  The US Congress caucus influenced international relations, and this was discussed in Russian media.

Secondary meaning: Informal group decision-making

Translation(s) & Context:

• партийное собрание - In less formal contexts, like community groups; emphasizes collective decision-making.
• закрытое совещание - Used for informal gatherings where decisions are made privately.

Usage Examples:

• В нашей организации мы проводим партийное собрание, чтобы принять важные решения.

  In our organization, we hold a caucus to make important decisions.

• Закрытое совещание друзей помогло нам согласовать план без внешнего вмешательства.

  The caucus of friends helped us coordinate a plan without outside interference.

• Каукус активистов был организован для обсуждения экологических проблем.

  The caucus of activists was organized to discuss environmental issues.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Каукус" is a borrowed noun and typically remains unchanged in Russian, as it's treated as an indeclinable word (e.g., no changes for case, number, or gender). This is common for modern loanwords.

For "партийное собрание" (a noun phrase):

• "Партийное" is an adjective that agrees with the noun "собрание" (neuter gender).
• It follows standard Russian adjective declension.

For "закрытое совещание", similar rules apply; "закрытое" is an adjective that declines with "совещание".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: собрание (general meeting), совещание (consultation), конференция (conference) - "собрание" is more neutral and everyday, while "совещание" implies decision-making.
• Antonyms: публичное обсуждение (public discussion) - Emphasizes openness, contrasting with the private nature of a caucus.

Related Phrases:

• партийный конгресс - A larger party congress; used for major political events.
• закрытое заседание - A closed session; often in parliamentary contexts.
• собрание сторонников - Gathering of supporters; implies a caucus-like support base.

Usage Notes:

"Caucus" in English often refers specifically to US political processes, so in Russian, "каукус" is best used when discussing American contexts to maintain precision. For general meetings, opt for "партийное собрание" to align with Russian political terminology. Be mindful of formality: "закрытое совещание" is ideal for official or sensitive discussions. When translating, consider the audience—Russian speakers may not be familiar with "каукус," so provide context. Grammatically, ensure adjectives like "партийное" agree in case and gender with the noun.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "каукус" in non-political contexts, e.g., saying "каукус друзей" for a casual meetup. Correct: Use "собрание друзей" instead, as "каукус" implies a formal political connotation. Explanation: This borrowing is context-specific and can sound awkward if misapplied.
• Mistake: Failing to decline adjectives, e.g., saying "партийное собрания" (incorrect plural). Correct: "Партийные собрания." Explanation: Russian requires adjective-noun agreement, which English learners often overlook.
• Mistake: Pronouncing "каукус" with a hard "к" sound. Correct: [ˈkaʊkəs] with a soft emphasis. Explanation: Mimic the English pronunciation to avoid confusion in borrowed words.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a "caucus" is less common and is primarily associated with American politics, such as the Iowa Caucuses. It highlights democratic processes in the US, which Russian media often contrast with their own political systems. Understanding this term can help English speakers navigate discussions on international relations or elections.

Related Concepts:

• выборы (referring to elections)
• партия (political party)
• делегаты (delegates)