Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'conjugal'

English Word: conjugal

Key Russian Translations:

• супружеский /suˈpru.ʐɛ.skʲij/ - [Formal, used in legal or marital contexts]
• брачный /ˈbraʧ.nɨj/ - [Formal, often in official or ceremonial settings]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions of marriage, family law, or relationships, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and abstract concepts, with potential variations in usage across translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

супружеский: /suˈpru.ʐɛ.skʲij/

Note on супружеский: The stress falls on the second syllable ("pru"), and the "ʐ" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the "zh" in "measure".

Audio: []

брачный: /ˈbraʧ.nɨj/

Note on брачный: The stress is on the first syllable ("bra"), and the "ʧ" sound is a voiceless palatal affricate, akin to "ch" in "church".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to marriage or the relationship between husband and wife (e.g., conjugal rights, duties, or life).

Translation(s) & Context:

• супружеский - Used in formal contexts like legal documents or discussions about marital obligations; implies a deeper, emotional or legal bond.
• брачный - Applied in ceremonial or official settings, such as wedding-related matters; often emphasizes the contractual aspect of marriage.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: В супружеских отношениях партнеры должны уважать друг друга.

  English translation: In conjugal relations, partners must respect each other.

• Русский пример: Брачный контракт защищает супружеские права обоих сторон.

  English translation: The marriage contract protects the conjugal rights of both parties.

• Русский пример: Супружеская жизнь требует компромиссов и взаимопонимания.

  English translation: Conjugal life requires compromises and mutual understanding.

• Русский пример: Брачный обряд включает обмен кольцами как символ супружеской верности.

  English translation: The marriage ceremony includes the exchange of rings as a symbol of conjugal fidelity.

• Русский пример: В супружеской гармонии важно поддерживать эмоциональную связь.

  English translation: In conjugal harmony, it's important to maintain an emotional connection.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "супружеский" and "брачный" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard adjectival declension patterns, which can be regular or irregular depending on the word. These adjectives are regular, meaning they follow the typical pattern for hard-stem adjectives.

For "супружеский" (supruzheskiy):

For "брачный" (brachnyy), the inflections are similar:

These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • семейный (semeynyy) - More general, emphasizing family life; often used interchangeably but less formal than супружеский.
  • брачный (already listed, but can overlap with супружеский in some contexts).
• Antonyms:
  • холостяцкий (kholostyatskiy) - Relating to single or bachelor life.
  • разводный (razvodnyy) - Pertaining to divorce or separation.

Related Phrases:

• Супружеская жизнь - Refers to married life or conjugal existence, often highlighting daily routines in a marriage.
• Брачный договор - Means marriage contract, a legal agreement protecting conjugal rights.
• Супружеская верность - Denotes conjugal fidelity or loyalty in marriage, emphasizing trust and commitment.

Usage Notes:

"Супружеский" is the most precise translation for "conjugal" in contexts involving emotional or intimate marital aspects, while "брачный" is better for formal, legal, or ceremonial uses. English speakers should note that Russian vocabulary often carries cultural nuances; for example, these words may imply state-recognized marriage rather than common-law arrangements. Always consider the gender, number, and case agreement when using these adjectives in sentences. When choosing between translations, opt for "супружеский" in personal relationship discussions and "брачный" in official documents to ensure appropriateness.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "супружеский" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "супружеский отношения" instead of "супружеские отношения" (plural nominative). Correct: Ensure agreement with the noun; explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's case, number, and gender, which English adjectives do not.
• Mistake: Confusing "брачный" with "семейный" in legal contexts, e.g., using "семейный контракт" for a marriage contract. Correct: Use "брачный договор"; explanation: "Семейный" is broader and includes family matters beyond marriage, potentially diluting the specific conjugal meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "супружеский" often reflect the historical emphasis on family and state-sanctioned marriage, influenced by Orthodox traditions. For instance, conjugal fidelity is a key theme in Russian literature and folklore, symbolizing stability and moral integrity, which can differ from more individualistic views in English-speaking cultures.

Related Concepts:

• брак (marriage)
• семья (family)
• развод (divorce)