Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cooperation'

English Word: Cooperation

Key Russian Translations:

• сотрудничество [sətrʊdˈnʲit͡ɕɪstvə] - [Formal, General Use]
• кооперация [kəʊpɪˈrat͡sɪjə] - [Formal, Often in Economic or Organizational Contexts]

Frequency: High (Widely used in both formal and professional contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

сотрудничество: [sətrʊdˈnʲit͡ɕɪstvə]

Note on сотрудничество: Stress falls on the third syllable ("дни"). The "ч" sound is a soft "ch" typical in Russian.

кооперация: [kəʊpɪˈrat͡sɪjə]

Note on кооперация: Stress on the third syllable ("ра"). The word has a borrowed structure, so it may feel familiar to English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Joint Work or Collaboration (General Sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сотрудничество - Used for general collaboration, partnerships, or joint efforts in various contexts (e.g., business, diplomacy).

Usage Examples:

• Мы стремимся к сотрудничеству с международными партнёрами.

  We strive for cooperation with international partners.

• Сотрудничество между нашими командами привело к успеху.

  Cooperation between our teams led to success.

• Это соглашение укрепит наше сотрудничество.

  This agreement will strengthen our cooperation.

2. Organized or Economic Collaboration

Translation(s) & Context:

• кооперация - Often refers to structured or economic cooperation, such as between organizations or in historical contexts (e.g., Soviet-era cooperatives).

Usage Examples:

• Кооперация между предприятиями повышает эффективность.

  Cooperation between enterprises increases efficiency.

• В СССР кооперация играла важную роль в экономике.

  In the USSR, cooperation played an important role in the economy.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

сотрудничество (Neuter Noun): Follows the second declension pattern in Russian. It does not change in plural as it is an abstract noun typically used in singular form.

кооперация (Feminine Noun): Follows the first declension pattern. Also typically used in singular form as an abstract concept.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for сотрудничество:

• партнёрство (partnership, often in business or diplomacy)
• взаимодействие (interaction, broader collaboration)

Synonyms for кооперация:

• объединение (unification, often organizational)

Antonyms:

• конфликт (conflict)
• соперничество (rivalry)

Related Phrases:

• международное сотрудничество - International cooperation
• экономическая кооперация - Economic cooperation
• наладить сотрудничество - To establish cooperation
• плодотворное сотрудничество - Fruitful cooperation

Usage Notes:

• "Сотрудничество" is the more common and versatile term for "cooperation" in modern Russian, applicable in most general and formal contexts like business or diplomacy.
• "Кооперация" is more specific and often tied to economic or organizational collaboration. It may also evoke historical connotations related to Soviet cooperative movements.
• Both terms are abstract nouns and are rarely used in plural form.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "кооперация" in personal or informal contexts. Incorrect: "Кооперация с друзьями." Correct: "Сотрудничество с друзьями" or better yet, a simpler phrase like "работа с друзьями" (working with friends). Explanation: "Кооперация" sounds overly formal and out of place in casual contexts.
• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation. For "сотрудничество," stressing the wrong syllable (e.g., first syllable) can make it unintelligible. Always stress "дни."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "сотрудничество" often implies a mutual benefit and respect in professional or diplomatic relationships, reflecting the importance of trust and long-term partnerships in Russian business and social interactions. "Кооперация," on the other hand, may carry historical weight due to its association with Soviet agricultural and economic cooperatives, so it might evoke specific imagery for native speakers.

Related Concepts:

• партнёрство (partnership)
• соглашение (agreement)
• альянс (alliance)