Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Centenary'

English Word: Centenary

Key Russian Translations:

• столетие [stɐˈlʲetʲɪjə] - [Formal, Neutral]
• вековой юбилей [vʲɪkɐˈvoj jʊbʲɪˈlʲej] - [Formal, Specific to anniversaries]

Frequency: Medium (used in historical or commemorative contexts)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "столетие"; C1 (Advanced) for "вековой юбилей" due to specificity and compound structure

Pronunciation (Russian):

столетие: [stɐˈlʲetʲɪjə]

Note on столетие: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "е" is pronounced as a soft "ye" sound.

вековой юбилей: [vʲɪkɐˈvoj jʊbʲɪˈlʲej]

Note on вековой юбилей: Stress is on the second syllable of "вековой" and third syllable of "юбилей".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A 100-year anniversary or celebration

Translation(s) & Context:

• столетие - Commonly used for marking a century of an event or institution (e.g., a university’s centenary).
• вековой юбилей - More formal and specific, often used in written or ceremonial contexts for significant anniversaries.

Usage Examples:

• В этом году мы отмечаем столетие нашей школы.

  This year, we are celebrating the centenary of our school.

• Столетие революции стало важным событием для страны.

  The centenary of the revolution became an important event for the country.

• Вековой юбилей города собрал тысячи гостей.

  The centenary celebration of the city gathered thousands of guests.

• Мы готовим выставку к столетию основания музея.

  We are preparing an exhibition for the centenary of the museum’s founding.

• На вековой юбилей компании был организован грандиозный праздник.

  A grand celebration was organized for the company’s centenary.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

столетие (noun, neuter gender):

вековой юбилей (compound phrase): "вековой" is an adjective agreeing with "юбилей" (masculine noun). Both words decline based on their respective grammatical roles. "Вековой" changes according to gender, number, and case of the noun it modifies.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for столетие:

• век
• сто лет

Note: "век" can mean both "century" and "age/era," while "сто лет" is more colloquial and literal.

Antonyms:

• десятилетие (decade)

Related Phrases:

• отмечать столетие - to celebrate a centenary
• вековой юбилей основания - centenary of founding
• столетие со дня - centenary since the day of

Usage Notes:

• "столетие" is the most common and neutral term for "centenary" or "century" and can be used in both historical and celebratory contexts.
• "вековой юбилей" is more formal and emphasizes the grandeur of a 100-year anniversary, often used in official speeches or writings.
• Be mindful of the context: "столетие" can also simply mean "century" as a time period, not always an anniversary.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "век" interchangeably with "столетие" in formal contexts. "Век" may refer to an era or age, not strictly 100 years.
  Incorrect: Мы празднуем век школы.
  Correct: Мы празднуем столетие школы.
  Explanation: "Век" lacks the precision of "столетие" for a specific 100-year anniversary.
• Error: Misusing case endings after numerals.
  Incorrect: Столетие революции в 1917 году.
  Correct: Столетие революции отмечалось в 2017 году.
  Explanation: Ensure proper grammatical agreement when discussing dates or events.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, centenaries of significant historical events (like revolutions or founding of institutions) are often marked with grand public celebrations, exhibitions, or commemorative publications. The term "столетие" carries a sense of historical weight and importance, reflecting the value placed on history and memory in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• юбилей (anniversary)
• век (century/era)
• память (memory/commemoration)