Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'coup'

English Word: coup

Key Russian Translations:

• переворот [pʲɪrʲɪˈvorət] - [Formal, Often used in political contexts]
• государственный переворот [ɡəsʊˈdarstvʲɪnnɨj pʲɪrʲɪˈvorət] - [Formal, Specific to government overthrow]

Frequency: Medium (Common in political and historical discussions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "переворот"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "государственный переворот" due to compound structure

Pronunciation (Russian):

переворот: [pʲɪrʲɪˈvorət]

Note on переворот: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "р" sounds are rolled, typical in Russian pronunciation.

государственный переворот: [ɡəsʊˈdarstvʲɪnnɨj pʲɪrʲɪˈvorət]

Note on государственный переворот: Stress is on the fourth syllable of "государственный" and third of "переворот".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government

Translation(s) & Context:

• переворот - General term for a coup or overturn, used in political contexts.
• государственный переворот - Specifically refers to a state or government coup, often with legal or constitutional implications.

Usage Examples:

• В стране произошёл военный переворот.

  A military coup occurred in the country.

• Государственный переворот изменил политическую систему.

  The state coup changed the political system.

• Они планировали переворот, чтобы свергнуть диктатора.

  They planned a coup to overthrow the dictator.

• После переворота началась гражданская война.

  After the coup, a civil war began.

• Государственный переворот был подавлен силами безопасности.

  The state coup was suppressed by security forces.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

переворот (Noun, Masculine, Inanimate)

государственный переворот (Compound Noun Phrase): The adjective "государственный" agrees in case, number, and gender with "переворот". Refer to the table above for "переворот" declension, while "государственный" follows standard adjective declension patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for переворот:

• мятеж (rebellion, slight difference in tone, less formal)
• бунт (revolt, often implies mass uprising)

Antonyms for переворот:

• стабильность (stability)
• порядок (order)

Related Phrases:

• военный переворот - Military coup, refers to a coup led by armed forces.
• совершить переворот - To carry out a coup, a common verbal phrase.
• государственный переворот в истории - State coup in history, often used in academic or historical contexts.

Usage Notes:

• "Переворот" is the more general and commonly used term for a coup, applicable to both political and non-political contexts (e.g., a dramatic change or turn). However, in the context of a political coup, it is often paired with qualifiers like "военный" (military) for precision.
• "Государственный переворот" explicitly refers to an overthrow of the government or state power, often carrying a formal or legal connotation. Use this term in serious political discussions or historical analyses.
• Both terms are formal and typically used in written or broadcast contexts rather than casual conversation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "переворот" to describe minor changes or personal upheavals.
  Incorrect: У меня в жизни переворот. (Intended: I had a coup in my life.)
  Correct: У меня в жизни большие перемены. (I had major changes in my life.)
  Explanation: "Переворот" implies a significant, often violent or systemic change, not personal or trivial matters.
• Error: Omitting "государственный" when specificity is needed in formal contexts.
  Incorrect: Переворот 1917 года. (Too vague in formal writing.)
  Correct: Государственный переворот 1917 года. (State coup of 1917.)
  Explanation: Adding "государственный" clarifies the political nature of the event.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian history, the term "переворот" is deeply associated with events like the October Revolution of 1917, often referred to as "Октябрьский переворот" in Soviet historiography. The word carries a heavy historical and political weight, evoking images of dramatic societal shifts. English learners should be aware that using this term in casual contexts might sound overly dramatic or misplaced to native speakers.

Related Concepts:

• революция (revolution)
• восстание (uprising)
• диктатура (dictatorship)