Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Conflict'

English Word: Conflict

Key Russian Translations:

• конфликт [kɐnˈflʲikt] - [Neutral, Common in formal and informal contexts]
• столкновение [stɐlkˈnovʲenʲɪje] - [Neutral, Often used for physical or ideological clashes]
• спор [ˈspor] - [Informal, Typically for verbal disagreements]

Frequency: High (especially "конфликт")

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate; "конфликт" is easier due to similarity with English, while "столкновение" may require B1 level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

конфликт: [kɐnˈflʲikt]

Note on конфликт: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "л" sound is palatalized, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

столкновение: [stɐlkˈnovʲenʲɪje]

Note on столкновение: Stress on the third syllable. Pay attention to the soft "н" sound.

спор: [ˈspor]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Disagreement or Argument (Verbal or Ideological)

Translation(s) & Context:

• конфликт - Used for personal, social, or political disagreements.
• спор - Refers to a verbal argument or debate, often less serious.

Usage Examples:

• У нас возник конфликт из-за расписания.

  We had a conflict over the schedule.

• Они постоянно спорят о политике.

  They constantly argue about politics.

• Конфликт между странами усилился.

  The conflict between the countries has intensified.

2. Clash or Collision (Physical or Figurative)

Translation(s) & Context:

• столкновение - Often used for physical collisions or ideological clashes.

Usage Examples:

• Произошло столкновение двух машин.

  There was a collision between two cars.

• Столкновение интересов привело к кризису.

  The clash of interests led to a crisis.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

конфликт (Noun, Masculine, Inanimate):

столкновение (Noun, Neuter, Inanimate): Follows regular neuter noun declension patterns.

спор (Noun, Masculine, Inanimate): Follows regular masculine noun declension with a zero ending in genitive plural (споров).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for конфликт:

• разногласие (slight disagreement)
• противостояние (opposition, often ideological)

Antonyms for конфликт:

• согласие (agreement)
• мир (peace)

Related Phrases:

• разрешить конфликт - To resolve a conflict.
• вооружённое столкновение - Armed conflict/clash.
• спорный вопрос - Controversial issue (lit. disputed question).

Usage Notes:

• "Конфликт" is the most direct and widely used translation for "conflict" in Russian, applicable in both formal (e.g., international conflicts) and informal contexts (e.g., personal disputes).
• "Столкновение" often implies a more tangible or intense clash, either physical (collision) or metaphorical (clash of ideas), and is less common in casual speech for personal disagreements.
• "Спор" is best used for verbal arguments or debates and carries a lighter tone compared to "конфликт".
• Be mindful of the context when choosing between these translations, as they are not always interchangeable.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "спор" for serious conflicts (e.g., war or major disagreements). Wrong: "Между странами был спор." Correct: "Между странами был конфликт." (Explanation: "Спор" is too informal for international conflicts.)
• Error: Misusing "столкновение" for personal arguments without a sense of clash. Wrong: "У нас было столкновение по поводу ужина." Correct: "У нас был конфликт по поводу ужина." (Explanation: "Столкновение" sounds overly dramatic for minor personal issues.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "конфликт" often carries a negative connotation, and open confrontation is sometimes avoided in favor of indirect communication, especially in personal relationships. Discussing conflicts openly may be seen as less polite compared to English-speaking cultures.

Related Concepts:

• разногласие (disagreement)
• ссора (quarrel)
• война (war)