Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'defence'

English Word: defence

Key Russian Translations:

• защита [zɐˈɕːitə] - [Formal, Informal, Common]
• оборона [ɐbɐˈronə] - [Formal, Often Military or Strategic Context]

Frequency: High (especially "защита")

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "защита"); B1 (Intermediate for "оборона")

Pronunciation (Russian):

защита: [zɐˈɕːitə]

Note on защита: Pay attention to the soft 'щ' sound, which is distinct in Russian and may be challenging for English speakers.

оборона: [ɐbɐˈronə]

Note on оборона: Stress falls on the second syllable; the 'о' sounds are reduced in unstressed positions.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Protection or Safeguard (General)

Translation(s) & Context:

• защита - Used in general contexts for protection, defense of rights, or safeguarding something/someone.

Usage Examples:

• Защита прав человека очень важна.

  The defense of human rights is very important.

• Эта программа обеспечивает защиту данных.

  This program provides data protection.

• Он выступил в защиту своего друга.

  He spoke in defense of his friend.

2. Military or Strategic Defense

Translation(s) & Context:

• оборона - Refers to military defense or strategic protection of territory.

Usage Examples:

• Оборона города длилась несколько месяцев.

  The defense of the city lasted for several months.

• Министерство обороны объявило о новых мерах.

  The Ministry of Defense announced new measures.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

защита (Noun, Feminine, 1st Declension)

оборона (Noun, Feminine, 1st Declension) - Follows similar declension patterns as "защита".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for защита:

• охрана
• поддержка (in the sense of support/defense)

Note: "охрана" often implies physical guarding, while "поддержка" is more about support or advocacy.

Synonyms for оборона:

• защищённость (in strategic contexts)

Antonyms:

• атака (attack)
• нападение (assault)

Related Phrases:

• защита интересов - Defense of interests (often legal or personal).
• линия обороны - Line of defense (military or metaphorical).
• в защиту кого-либо - In defense of someone (advocacy or support).

Usage Notes:

• "защита" is the more versatile and commonly used term for "defence" in everyday language, applicable to personal, legal, or abstract protection.
• "оборона" is more specific to military or strategic contexts and is less frequent in casual conversation.
• Be mindful of prepositional phrases: "в защиту" (in defense of) is a common construction with "защита".

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "оборона" for personal defense. Incorrect: "Я сказал это в оборону друга." Correct: "Я сказал это в защиту друга." (I said this in defense of my friend.) Explanation: "оборона" is inappropriate for personal or non-military contexts.
• Error: Misusing cases after "защита". Incorrect: "Защита о правах". Correct: "Защита прав" (Defense of rights). Explanation: "защита" requires the genitive case for the object being defended.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the term "оборона" carries strong historical connotations, especially linked to events like the "Great Patriotic War" (WWII), where "оборона" of cities like Stalingrad is a symbol of national pride and resilience.

Related Concepts:

• безопасность (security)
• укрепление (fortification)
• сопротивление (resistance)