Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Democracy'

English Word: Democracy

Key Russian Translations:

• демократия [dʲɪmɐˈkratʲɪjə] - [Formal, General Use]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

демократия: [dʲɪmɐˈkratʲɪjə]

Note on демократия: Stress falls on the third syllable ("kra"). The "д" is pronounced with a soft palatalized sound, common in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A system of government by the whole population

Translation(s) & Context:

• демократия - Used in political and formal contexts to refer to a democratic system of governance.

Usage Examples:

• Демократия — это основа нашего государства.

  Democracy is the foundation of our state.

• В условиях демократии каждый голос имеет значение.

  In a democracy, every vote matters.

• Мы стремимся к построению настоящей демократии.

  We strive to build a true democracy.

• Демократия требует активного участия граждан.

  Democracy requires active participation of citizens.

• История показывает, что демократия не всегда устойчива.

  History shows that democracy is not always stable.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

демократия is a feminine noun in Russian. It follows the standard declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -ия.

Note: This noun does not typically have a plural form as it refers to an abstract concept.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• народовластие (less common, more formal and literary)

Note: "народовластие" is rarely used in modern Russian and may feel archaic or overly formal compared to "демократия."

Antonyms:

• автократия (autocracy)
• диктатура (dictatorship)
• тирания (tyranny)

Related Phrases:

• прямая демократия - Direct democracy, a system where citizens vote directly on policies.
• представительная демократия - Representative democracy, a system where elected officials represent the people.
• демократия в действии - Democracy in action, often used to describe active civic engagement.

Usage Notes:

• The term "демократия" is a direct borrowing from Greek through European languages and is the standard and most widely used term for "democracy" in Russian. It is appropriate in both formal and academic contexts.
• It is often used in political discussions, historical texts, and media to describe systems of governance.
• Be mindful of the context, as "демократия" may carry different connotations depending on the speaker’s perspective (e.g., positive in democratic societies, potentially ironic or critical in others).

Common Errors:

• Incorrect Case Usage: English learners often struggle with the correct case for "демократия." For example, saying "Я верю в демократия" (nominative instead of accusative) is incorrect. The correct form is "Я верю в демократию."
• Mispronunciation: Stressing the wrong syllable, such as saying [dʲɪˈmokratʲɪjə] instead of [dʲɪmɐˈkratʲɪjə], can make the word sound unnatural. Always stress the "kra" syllable.

Cultural Notes:

The concept of "демократия" in Russian culture has evolved significantly, especially since the collapse of the Soviet Union. While it is associated with freedom and civic rights in modern contexts, older generations or those critical of Western influence might use it with skepticism or irony, reflecting historical and political complexities.

Related Concepts:

• выборы (elections)
• свобода (freedom)
• права человека (human rights)
• гражданское общество (civil society)