Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Decree'

English Word: Decree

Key Russian Translations:

• указ [ʊˈkɑs] - [Formal, Often used in legal or governmental contexts]
• декрет [dʲɪˈkrʲet] - [Formal, Historical or specific to certain decrees like maternity leave in Soviet context]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in formal and legal contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

указ: [ʊˈkɑs]

Note on указ: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'у' sounds like the 'oo' in 'food'.

декрет: [dʲɪˈkrʲet]

Note on декрет: Stress on the second syllable. The 'р' is rolled, and 'е' is palatalized.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. An official order issued by a legal authority

Translation(s) & Context:

• указ - Commonly used for presidential or governmental orders in modern Russian.

Usage Examples:

• Президент подписал указ о новых мерах поддержки.

  The president signed a decree on new support measures.

• Указ был опубликован в официальном издании.

  The decree was published in the official gazette.

• Согласно указу, все школы будут закрыты.

  According to the decree, all schools will be closed.

2. A formal or historical proclamation (often tied to specific contexts like maternity leave in Soviet history)

Translation(s) & Context:

• декрет - Often refers to historical decrees or specific contexts like "декретный отпуск" (maternity leave).

Usage Examples:

• Декрет о мире был принят в 1917 году.

  The Decree on Peace was adopted in 1917.

• Она ушла в декретный отпуск.

  She went on maternity leave (literally 'decree leave').

Russian Forms/Inflections:

указ (Masculine Noun): Follows the regular declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

декрет (Masculine Noun): Follows a similar regular declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for указ:

• приказ
• распоряжение

Note: "приказ" often implies a more direct or military order, while "распоряжение" can be less formal or authoritative.

Antonyms for указ:

• отмена

Related Phrases:

• указ президента - Presidential decree
• декретный отпуск - Maternity leave (literally 'decree leave')
• подписать указ - To sign a decree

Usage Notes:

• "указ" is the more common and versatile term for 'decree' in modern Russian, often used in legal or governmental contexts.
• "декрет" has a more historical connotation or is used in specific phrases like "декретный отпуск" (maternity leave). Avoid using "декрет" for modern governmental decrees.
• Both terms are formal and rarely used in casual conversation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "декрет" for modern governmental decrees. Wrong: "декрет президента". Correct: "указ президента". Explanation: "декрет" is outdated or context-specific (e.g., Soviet history or maternity leave).
• Error: Mispronouncing "указ" with stress on the first syllable. Stress must be on the second syllable [ʊˈkɑs].

Cultural Notes:

In Russian history, "декрет" is strongly associated with Soviet-era proclamations, such as the "Декрет о мире" (Decree on Peace) issued by Lenin. Understanding this historical context can help English learners grasp why "декрет" is less common in modern usage compared to "указ". Additionally, "декретный отпуск" (maternity leave) reflects a unique Soviet legacy in labor laws.

Related Concepts:

• закон (law)
• приказ (order)
• постановление (resolution)