Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'collective'

English Word: collective

Key Russian Translations:

• коллективный [kɐlʲɪkˈtʲivnɨj] - [Adjective, Formal/Neutral]
• коллектив [kɐlʲɪkˈtʲif] - [Noun, Neutral, Refers to a group]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

коллективный: [kɐlʲɪkˈtʲivnɨj]

Note on коллективный: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "ы" sound is a unique Russian vowel, pronounced as a short, relaxed "i".

коллектив: [kɐlʲɪkˈtʲif]

Note on коллектив: Stress on the third syllable. The final "в" is devoiced to sound like "f".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. As an Adjective (Shared or Group-related)

Translation(s) & Context:

• коллективный - Used to describe something done or owned by a group (e.g., collective effort, collective responsibility).

Usage Examples:

• Это был коллективный проект нашей команды.

  This was a collective project of our team.

• Коллективное решение было принято единогласно.

  The collective decision was made unanimously.

• Мы несем коллективную ответственность за результат.

  We bear collective responsibility for the result.

2. As a Noun (A Group or Team)

Translation(s) & Context:

• коллектив - Refers to a group of people working or acting together, often in a professional or social context.

Usage Examples:

• Наш коллектив очень дружный.

  Our collective (team) is very friendly.

• Коллектив завода поддержал инициативу.

  The factory collective supported the initiative.

• Она быстро влилась в новый коллектив.

  She quickly integrated into the new collective.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

1. коллективный (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case like standard Russian adjectives.

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	коллективный	коллективная	коллективное	коллективные
Genitive	коллективного	коллективной	коллективного	коллективных

(Table abbreviated for brevity; full declension follows standard rules.)

2. коллектив (Noun): Masculine inanimate noun, declines according to the second declension.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	коллектив	коллективы
Genitive	коллектива	коллективов
Dative	коллективу	коллективам

(Table abbreviated; full declension follows standard rules.)

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for коллективный:

• общий (general, shared - broader in meaning)
• совместный (joint - often implies collaboration)

Synonyms for коллектив:

• команда (team - more informal)
• группа (group - more neutral)

Antonyms for коллективный:

• индивидуальный (individual)

Related Phrases:

• коллективный труд - "collective labor" (work done together by a group)
• коллективный договор - "collective agreement" (a formal agreement between workers and employers)
• сплочённый коллектив - "close-knit collective" (a tightly bonded group or team)

Usage Notes:

• Choosing between translations: Use "коллективный" when describing something shared or group-related (adjective). Use "коллектив" when referring to the group itself (noun).
• Register: Both terms are neutral and can be used in formal and informal contexts, though "коллектив" often appears in workplace or Soviet-era contexts.
• Grammar: Pay attention to adjective agreement with the noun it modifies when using "коллективный".

Common Errors:

• Mixing adjective and noun forms: English speakers might mistakenly use "коллектив" (noun) when an adjective is needed. Incorrect: *Это коллектив проект.* Correct: Это коллективный проект. ("This is a collective project.")
• Incorrect adjective agreement: Failing to match "коллективный" with the noun's gender, number, or case. Incorrect: *Коллективный команда.* Correct: Коллективная команда. ("A collective team.")

Cultural Notes:

The term "коллектив" carries a strong cultural connotation in Russian, especially tied to Soviet history where it often referred to organized groups (e.g., factory collectives or agricultural collectives like kolkhozes). It evokes a sense of community and shared purpose, which may not fully align with the English "collective". Understanding this historical context can help in grasping its usage in modern Russian.

Related Concepts:

• товарищество (comradeship)
• община (community)
• колхоз (collective farm - Soviet term)