Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'citizenry'

English Word: citizenry

Key Russian Translations:

• граждане [ɡrɐˈʐanʲe] - [Formal, Plural]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in formal, political, or legal contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and formal vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

граждане: [ɡrɐˈʐanʲe]

Note on граждане: The stress falls on the second syllable ("ʐanʲe"). Be mindful of the soft sign (ʲ) which affects the pronunciation of the preceding consonant, making it softer and more palatalized.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The body of citizens of a city, state, or country

Translation(s) & Context:

• граждане - Used in formal contexts such as legal documents, political discussions, or civic matters to refer to the collective group of citizens.

Usage Examples:

• В городе проживает активное граждане, которые участвуют в местных выборах.

  In the city lives an active citizenry that participates in local elections.

• Граждане России имеют конституционные права на свободу слова и собраний.

  The citizenry of Russia has constitutional rights to freedom of speech and assembly.

• Во время кризиса граждане объединились, чтобы помочь друг другу.

  During the crisis, the citizenry united to help one another.

• Правительство обязано учитывать мнение граждане при принятии законов.

  The government is obligated to consider the opinion of the citizenry when enacting laws.

• Молодое граждане часто протестуют против коррупции в стране.

  The younger citizenry often protests against corruption in the country.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Граждане" is a plural noun in Russian, derived from the singular "гражданин" (citizen). It belongs to the first declension group for masculine nouns and exhibits regular inflection patterns based on Russian grammatical cases. Below is a table outlining its key inflections in the plural form:

Note: The word does not have singular forms in this context, as "citizenry" implies a collective plural. Inflections follow standard rules for Russian nouns ending in -е.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: население (population; more general, without the civic connotation), обыватели (inhabitants; informal, often with a neutral or slightly pejorative tone)
• Antonyms: иностранцы (foreigners; refers to non-citizens)

Related Phrases:

• Гражданское общество - Refers to civil society, encompassing organized groups of citizens working for social change.
• Права граждан - Means citizens' rights, often used in legal and human rights contexts.
• Активные граждане - Describes active citizenry, implying engagement in civic duties like volunteering or protesting.

Usage Notes:

"Граждане" directly corresponds to "citizenry" in formal English contexts, emphasizing a collective group rather than individuals. It is typically used in official or written Russian, such as in news articles or government documents, and carries a neutral to positive connotation. Be cautious with context: in everyday speech, Russians might prefer "люди" (people) for a more general term. When choosing between translations like "граждане" and "население," opt for "граждане" if the focus is on civic rights and responsibilities. Grammatically, always ensure agreement in number and case, as Russian nouns must align with adjectives and verbs in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Common mistake: Confusing "граждане" with "гражданство," which means "citizenship" (a status) rather than the group of citizens. Incorrect: "Гражданство страны активно протестует" (wrongly implying the status is protesting). Correct: "Граждане страны активно протестуют" (the people are protesting). Explanation: "Гражданство" is an abstract noun, while "граждане" is a concrete plural noun.

• Another error: Failing to decline the noun properly in sentences, e.g., using nominative "граждане" in all cases. Incorrect: "О граждане" (should be "О гражданах"). Correct: Always adjust for case, as shown in the inflections table above. Explanation: Russian requires noun declension for grammatical accuracy, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, the concept of "граждане" gained prominence during the Soviet era and post-Soviet reforms, emphasizing collective civic duties over individual rights. Today, it often appears in discussions about democracy and civil engagement, reflecting Russia's evolving political landscape. For instance, events like protests or elections highlight how the citizenry can influence national policy, underscoring a cultural value on community involvement despite historical authoritarian influences.

Related Concepts:

• патриотизм
• демократия
• общество