Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Civilisation'

English Word: Civilisation

Key Russian Translations:

• цивилизация [tsivilizˈatsiya] - [Formal, General Use]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

цивилизация: [tsivilizˈatsiya]

Note on цивилизация: Stress falls on the fourth syllable (-za-). The initial "ts" sound is sharp, similar to "ts" in "cats".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A society with advanced development and organization (General Sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• цивилизация - Used to refer to human societies with complex cultural, technological, and social structures.

Usage Examples:

• Древние цивилизации внесли огромный вклад в развитие человечества.

  Ancient civilisations made a tremendous contribution to the development of humanity.

• Современная цивилизация зависит от технологий.

  Modern civilisation depends on technology.

• Цивилизация майя оставила после себя удивительные памятники.

  The Mayan civilisation left behind amazing monuments.

• Развитие цивилизации требует устойчивого подхода.

  The development of civilisation requires a sustainable approach.

• Некоторые считают, что цивилизация разрушает природу.

  Some believe that civilisation destroys nature.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

цивилизация is a feminine noun in Russian. It follows the standard declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -ия.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• культура (culture, often used in a narrower sense)
• общество (society, depending on context)

Note: While "культура" can sometimes overlap with "цивилизация", it often refers to cultural aspects rather than the broader societal structure.

Antonyms:

• варварство (barbarism)
• дикость (savagery)

Related Phrases:

• развитие цивилизации - development of civilisation
• древняя цивилизация - ancient civilisation
• западная цивилизация - Western civilisation
• упадок цивилизации - decline of civilisation

Usage Notes:

• The term "цивилизация" is a direct equivalent to "civilisation" in English and is used in both academic and general contexts to describe advanced human societies.
• It is a formal term, suitable for written and spoken contexts, and does not have significant informal alternatives.
• In Russian, "цивилизация" can sometimes carry a philosophical or historical connotation, especially when discussing the rise and fall of societies.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "цивилизация" with "культура". While both can overlap, "культура" focuses more on cultural aspects (arts, traditions) rather than the broader societal structure.
  Incorrect: Эта цивилизация известна своей музыкой.
  Correct: Эта культура известна своей музыкой. (This culture is known for its music.)
• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation. Stress on the wrong syllable can make the word sound unnatural.
  Incorrect Stress: [tsivilˈizatsiya]
  Correct Stress: [tsivilizˈatsiya]

Cultural Notes:

In Russian discourse, "цивилизация" often appears in discussions about historical progress, clashes of societies, or philosophical debates about humanity's future. The term may evoke references to famous Russian thinkers like Oswald Spengler (translated works) who discussed the decline of civilisations, reflecting a deep cultural interest in the lifecycle of societies.

Related Concepts:

• культура (culture)
• история (history)
• прогресс (progress)
• общество (society)