Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Constitution'

English Word: Constitution

Key Russian Translations:

• Конституция [ˌkonstɪˈtutsɪjə] - [Formal, General Use]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Конституция: [ˌkonstɪˈtutsɪjə]

Note on Конституция: Stress falls on the third syllable ("tu"). The "ц" is pronounced as "ts".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Fundamental Law of a Country

Translation(s) & Context:

• Конституция - Used in legal, political, and formal contexts to refer to the constitution of a state or nation.

Usage Examples:

• Конституция Российской Федерации была принята в 1993 году.

  The Constitution of the Russian Federation was adopted in 1993.

• Согласно Конституции, каждый гражданин имеет право на свободу слова.

  According to the Constitution, every citizen has the right to freedom of speech.

• Изменения в Конституцию вносятся только через референдум.

  Amendments to the Constitution are made only through a referendum.

• Конституция гарантирует равенство перед законом.

  The Constitution guarantees equality before the law.

• Мы изучаем Конституцию на уроках права.

  We study the Constitution in law classes.

2. Physical or Mental Condition (Rare, Figurative)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Конституция - Rarely used in medical or figurative contexts to refer to someone's physical build or condition (borrowed from English usage).

Usage Examples:

• У него слабая конституция, он часто болеет.

  He has a weak constitution; he often gets sick.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Конституция is a feminine noun. It follows the standard declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in "-ия".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• Основной закон (Fundamental Law - often used interchangeably in legal contexts)

Antonyms:

• Беззаконие (Lawlessness - in a figurative sense)

Note: "Основной закон" is often used in formal texts but may carry a slightly different nuance, emphasizing the "fundamental" aspect.

Related Phrases:

• Конституция страны - Constitution of the country (refers to a specific nation's constitution)
• Поправки к Конституции - Amendments to the Constitution (common in legal discussions)
• Нарушение Конституции - Violation of the Constitution (used in political and legal contexts)

Usage Notes:

• The primary and most common translation of "constitution" into Russian is "Конституция", used almost exclusively to refer to a country's fundamental legal document.
• In rare cases, "Конституция" can refer to physical or mental condition, but this usage is borrowed from English and is not common in everyday Russian. Native speakers may not immediately understand this meaning without context.
• The word is always capitalized in Russian when referring to a specific document (e.g., Конституция Российской Федерации).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Конституция" to describe someone's personality or temperament (confusing it with "character").
  Incorrect: У него сильная конституция (meaning "strong personality").
  Correct: У него сильный характер (He has a strong character).
• Error: Mispronouncing the stress on "Конституция". English speakers often stress the first syllable, but the correct stress is on "ту".
  Incorrect: [ˈkonstɪtutsɪjə]
  Correct: [ˌkonstɪˈtutsɪjə]

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the term "Конституция" is deeply tied to the history of governance and political changes, especially the adoption of the 1993 Constitution of the Russian Federation after the Soviet era. Discussions about the Constitution often carry political weight and may evoke strong opinions, especially regarding amendments or compliance.

Related Concepts:

• Закон (Law)
• Правительство (Government)
• Права человека (Human Rights)