Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Communist'

English Word: Communist

Key Russian Translations:

• коммунист [kəmʊˈnʲist] - [Masculine, Singular, Formal/Informal]
• коммунистка [kəmʊˈnʲistkə] - [Feminine, Singular, Formal/Informal]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

коммунист: [kəmʊˈnʲist]

Note on коммунист: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'и' is pronounced as a short 'i' sound.

коммунистка: [kəmʊˈnʲistkə]

Note on коммунистка: Stress remains on the second syllable, with a soft 'kə' at the end due to the feminine suffix.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A person who supports or believes in communism

Translation(s) & Context:

• коммунист - Used for a male individual who identifies with communist ideology or is a member of a communist party.
• коммунистка - Used for a female individual with the same ideological alignment.

Usage Examples:

• Он был убеждённым коммунистом в советское время.

  He was a convinced communist during Soviet times.

• Она стала коммунисткой после изучения марксизма.

  She became a communist after studying Marxism.

• Коммунисты боролись за равенство в обществе.

  Communists fought for equality in society.

• Мой дед был коммунистом и гордился этим.

  My grandfather was a communist and was proud of it.

• Коммунистка выступила с речью на митинге.

  The female communist gave a speech at the rally.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

коммунист (Masculine Noun): Follows the standard masculine noun declension in Russian (2nd declension).

коммунистка (Feminine Noun): Follows the standard feminine noun declension (1st declension).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• марксист (Marxist - slightly narrower focus on Marxist ideology)
• социалист (Socialist - related but broader in scope)

Antonyms:

• капиталист (Capitalist)
• буржуа (Bourgeois)

Related Phrases:

• член коммунистической партии - Member of the Communist Party.
• коммунистические идеалы - Communist ideals.
• борьба коммунистов - Struggle of the communists.

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "коммунист" and "коммунистка" depends strictly on the gender of the person being referred to. Russian nouns are gender-specific in this context.
• These terms can carry a historical or political connotation, often tied to the Soviet era. Use with caution in modern contexts as they may evoke strong opinions.
• Both terms can be used in formal and informal settings, but they are more common in discussions of history, politics, or ideology.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "коммунист" to refer to a female.
  Correct Usage: Use "коммунистка" for females. For example, "Она коммунистка" (She is a communist), not "Она коммунист".
• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation (e.g., stressing the first syllable).
  Correct Usage: Stress is on the second syllable: [kəmʊˈnʲist], not [ˈkəmʊnʲist].

Cultural Notes:

In Russian-speaking countries, especially in post-Soviet states, the term "коммунист" often evokes memories of the Soviet Union, where the Communist Party played a dominant role. While some may view it nostalgically, others associate it with political repression or economic hardship. Be mindful of this historical context when using the term in conversation.

Related Concepts:

• коммунизм (Communism)
• социализм (Socialism)
• марксизм (Marxism)
• Советский Союз (Soviet Union)