Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Coalition'

English Word: coalition

Key Russian Translations:

• коалиция [koɐˈlʲit͡sɨjə] - [Formal, Commonly used in political contexts]
• союз [sɐˈjuz] - [Formal/Neutral, Broader usage including alliances]

Frequency: Medium (often used in political and organizational contexts)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies slightly by context and translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

коалиция: [koɐˈlʲit͡sɨjə]

Note on коалиция: Stress falls on the third syllable. The 'ц' sound is a distinct Russian affricate, similar to 'ts' in English.

союз: [sɐˈjuz]

Note on союз: Stress on the second syllable. The 'ю' is pronounced as 'yu'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A temporary alliance for combined action, especially of political parties

Translation(s) & Context:

• коалиция - Primarily used in political contexts to refer to a coalition of parties or groups.

Usage Examples:

• Политическая коалиция была сформирована для победы на выборах.

  A political coalition was formed to win the elections.

• Коалиция партий договорилась о совместной программе.

  The coalition of parties agreed on a joint program.

• Эта коалиция распалась из-за внутренних разногласий.

  This coalition broke up due to internal disagreements.

2. A union or alliance, often in a broader sense

Translation(s) & Context:

• союз - Used for alliances or unions, not strictly political (e.g., personal or organizational).

Usage Examples:

• Они заключили союз для защиты общих интересов.

  They formed an alliance to protect common interests.

• Союз двух компаний привел к значительному росту прибыли.

  The alliance of the two companies led to significant profit growth.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

коалиция (feminine noun, 1st declension):

союз (masculine noun, 2nd declension):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for коалиция:

• альянс (closer to 'alliance', often used in international contexts)
• объединение (broader term for 'union' or 'association')

Synonyms for союз:

• партнёрство (emphasizes partnership)
• договор (focuses on agreement or treaty)

Antonyms:

• раскол (split or schism)
• конфликт (conflict)

Related Phrases:

• формировать коалицию - to form a coalition (political or organizational)
• вступить в союз - to enter into an alliance (formal or personal)
• коалиционное правительство - coalition government (common political term)

Usage Notes:

• Choosing between translations: Use "коалиция" specifically for political or temporary alliances, especially among parties or groups. "Союз" is more versatile and can apply to personal, organizational, or international alliances.
• Register: Both terms are formal or neutral, but "коалиция" is almost exclusively used in structured, often political, contexts.
• Grammar: Pay attention to case endings, as Russian nouns decline based on their role in the sentence (see inflection tables above).

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "союз" when referring to a political coalition. For example, saying "Политический союз" instead of "Политическая коалиция".
  Correction: Reserve "коалиция" for political coalitions. "Союз" can work but often implies a broader or more permanent alliance (e.g., "Советский Союз" for Soviet Union).
• Mistake: Incorrect case usage, such as using nominative case after prepositions.
  Correction: Learn the correct case forms (e.g., "в коалиции" for prepositional case, not "в коалиция").

Cultural Notes:

In Russian-speaking contexts, the term "коалиция" often appears in discussions of post-Soviet politics, where coalition governments or temporary alliances between parties are common due to fragmented political landscapes. Understanding this term is key when reading Russian news or political analysis. Meanwhile, "союз" carries historical weight due to its use in "Советский Союз" (Soviet Union), evoking a sense of unity or federation.

Related Concepts:

• альянс (alliance)
• партнёрство (partnership)
• договор (agreement/treaty)