Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Culture'

English Word: culture

Key Russian Translations:

• культура [ˈkulʲtʊrə] - [General, Formal/Informal]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

культура: [ˈkulʲtʊrə]

Note on культура: Stress falls on the first syllable. The 'у' is pronounced as a short 'oo' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Culture (as in arts, customs, and habits of a society)

Translation(s) & Context:

• культура - Refers to the collective customs, arts, and intellectual achievements of a society.

Usage Examples:

• Русская культура очень богата и разнообразна.

  Russian culture is very rich and diverse.

• Мы изучаем культуру Древнего Египта.

  We are studying the culture of Ancient Egypt.

• Культура общения в этой стране отличается от нашей.

  The culture of communication in this country differs from ours.

• Современная молодежная культура быстро меняется.

  Modern youth culture changes rapidly.

• Культура питания играет важную роль в здоровье.

  The culture of nutrition plays an important role in health.

2. Culture (as in cultivation or growth, e.g., bacterial culture)

Translation(s) & Context:

• культура - Used in scientific contexts for the cultivation of microorganisms or plants.

Usage Examples:

• Мы вырастили культуру бактерий в лаборатории.

  We grew a bacterial culture in the laboratory.

• Эта культура растений требует особого ухода.

  This plant culture requires special care.

• Культура клеток используется в медицинских исследованиях.

  Cell culture is used in medical research.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

культура is a feminine noun. It follows the regular declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -а.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for культура (in the sense of societal culture):

• цивилизация (closer to "civilization", used in broader contexts)
• традиции (focuses on "traditions")

Antonyms for культура:

• варварство (barbarism, lack of culture)
• невежество (ignorance)

Related Phrases:

• массовная культура - Mass culture or popular culture.
• культура речи - Culture of speech, referring to proper or refined language use.
• культурное наследие - Cultural heritage.
• культурный обмен - Cultural exchange.

Usage Notes:

• The Russian word культура is a direct equivalent of the English "culture" and is widely used in both formal and informal contexts.
• It can refer to societal culture, personal refinement, or scientific cultivation (e.g., bacterial culture). Context determines the exact meaning.
• In scientific contexts, ensure the surrounding vocabulary clarifies whether it refers to biological or agricultural "culture."

Common Errors:

• Error: Misusing культура in idiomatic expressions where English uses "culture" metaphorically. For example, saying "корпоративная культура" (corporate culture) is correct, but directly translating every metaphorical use of "culture" may sound unnatural.
• Correct Usage: Learn specific collocations like культура компании for "company culture."
• Incorrect Example: Saying "культура работы" for "work culture" might be understood but is less common than "рабочая атмосфера" (work atmosphere).

Cultural Notes:

The concept of культура in Russian often carries a strong sense of national pride, especially when referring to "Russian culture" (русская культура). It encompasses literature, music, art, and historical traditions. Discussions about culture may evoke deep emotional responses, reflecting Russia's rich cultural heritage.

Related Concepts:

• искусство (art)
• литература (literature)
• традиции (traditions)
• история (history)