Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Crown'

English Word: Crown

Key Russian Translations:

• корона [kɐˈronə] - [Formal, General Usage]
• венец [vʲɪˈnʲet͡s] - [Formal, Literary, Symbolic]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

корона: [kɐˈronə]

Note on корона: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'o' sounds like a short 'a' in unstressed positions due to Russian vowel reduction.

венец: [vʲɪˈnʲet͡s]

Note on венец: The 'е' is pronounced with a soft 'v' sound due to palatalization, and stress is on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A Royal or Ceremonial Headpiece

Translation(s) & Context:

• корона - Used for a physical crown worn by royalty or in ceremonial contexts.
• венец - Often used in a more symbolic or poetic sense, such as in literature or religious contexts (e.g., "crown of glory").

Usage Examples:

• Король надел золотую корону на церемонии.

  The king wore a golden crown at the ceremony.

• Корона была украшена драгоценными камнями.

  The crown was adorned with precious stones.

• Венец славы достался победителю.

  The crown of glory was awarded to the winner.

• Она получила венец мученицы в рассказах.

  She received the crown of martyrdom in the stories.

2. Top or Highest Part (Figurative)

Translation(s) & Context:

• корона - Rarely used in this sense, but can imply the "top" or "peak" in specific contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Эта победа стала короной его карьеры.

  This victory was the crown of his career.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

корона (Feminine Noun): Follows the first declension pattern in Russian. It declines based on case and number.

венец (Masculine Noun): Follows the second declension pattern with a soft stem. It also declines based on case and number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for корона:

• диадема (diadem, more specific to certain types of crowns)

Synonyms for венец:

• лавр (laurel, often used for symbolic crowns of victory)

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "crown" lacks a clear opposite in most contexts.

Related Phrases:

• корона короля - "the king’s crown" (literal usage for royal headpiece).
• венец славы - "crown of glory" (symbolic, often used in literature or religious texts).
• короновать кого-либо - "to crown someone" (verb derived from корона, used in ceremonial contexts).

Usage Notes:

• Choosing between translations: Use "корона" for literal crowns or modern contexts involving royalty. Use "венец" for poetic, symbolic, or historical references, especially in religious or literary texts.
• Register: "корона" is more neutral and widely understood, while "венец" may sound archaic or formal to some speakers.
• Grammar: Both are nouns and follow standard Russian declension patterns as outlined above. Pay attention to case usage in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Mixing translations: English learners often use "корона" in symbolic contexts where "венец" is more appropriate. For example, saying "корона славы" instead of "венец славы" sounds unnatural.
• Incorrect case endings: Beginners may struggle with declensions, e.g., using nominative "корона" instead of accusative "корону" after verbs like "надеть" (to wear). Correct: "надеть корону."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a crown ("корона") is strongly associated with monarchy and historical figures like tsars. The term "венец" often appears in religious contexts, symbolizing divine reward or martyrdom, as in Orthodox Christian traditions. Understanding these connotations can help learners use the terms appropriately.

Related Concepts:

• трон (throne)
• скипетр (scepter)
• царство (kingdom)