Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Dictatorship'

English Word: dictatorship

Key Russian Translations:

• диктатура [dʲɪktɐˈturə] - [Formal, General Use]
• автократия [ɐftɐˈkratʲɪjə] - [Formal, Often Historical or Political Context]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

диктатура: [dʲɪktɐˈturə]

Note on диктатура: Stress falls on the third syllable. The 'r' is rolled slightly, typical of Russian pronunciation.

автократия: [ɐftɐˈkratʲɪjə]

Note on автократия: Stress on the third syllable. The 'я' at the end is pronounced as 'ya'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A form of government where power is held by a single leader or group without democratic control

Translation(s) & Context:

• диктатура - Commonly used to describe any authoritarian regime or system of absolute power.
• автократия - Refers specifically to a government by a single ruler with absolute power, often with historical connotations.

Usage Examples:

• Эта страна страдает от военной диктатуры уже десятилетия.

  This country has been suffering from a military dictatorship for decades.

• Диктатура пролетариата была ключевой концепцией в марксистской теории.

  The dictatorship of the proletariat was a key concept in Marxist theory.

• Автократия царя привела к революции в начале XX века.

  The autocracy of the tsar led to the revolution in the early 20th century.

• В условиях диктатуры свободы слова не существует.

  Under a dictatorship, freedom of speech does not exist.

• Историки спорят о том, была ли эта система чистой автократией.

  Historians debate whether this system was a pure autocracy.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

диктатура (feminine noun, 1st declension):

автократия (feminine noun, 1st declension): Follows similar declension patterns as диктатура, with regular endings.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for диктатура:

• тирания (tyranny, often with negative emotional connotation)
• авторитаризм (authoritarianism, broader political term)

Synonyms for автократия:

• самодержавие (autocracy, often tied to Russian historical context)

Antonyms:

• демократия (democracy)
• республика (republic)

Related Phrases:

• военная диктатура - Military dictatorship (refers to a regime led by military forces).
• диктатура пролетариата - Dictatorship of the proletariat (a Marxist concept).
• абсолютная автократия - Absolute autocracy (emphasizes total control by a single ruler).

Usage Notes:

• "диктатура" is the most common and versatile term for "dictatorship" in modern Russian, applicable to various contexts, including political theory and everyday discussions.
• "автократия" is less frequent and often used in historical or academic contexts to describe rule by a single person, such as a monarch or emperor.
• When choosing between the two, consider the tone and context: "диктатура" can carry a negative connotation, while "автократия" may sound more neutral or formal.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "диктатура" interchangeably with "тирания" without considering emotional tone. "Тирания" implies oppression and cruelty, while "диктатура" is more neutral.

  Incorrect: Эта диктатура была жестокой и несправедливой (better as "тирания").

  Correct: Эта тирания была жестокой и несправедливой.

• Error: Misusing "автократия" in modern political contexts. It is rarely used for contemporary regimes.

  Incorrect: Современная автократия в этой стране (better as "диктатура").

  Correct: Современная диктатура в этой стране.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the term "диктатура" often evokes strong associations with Soviet history and Marxist ideology, particularly the concept of the "диктатура пролетариата" (dictatorship of the proletariat). Meanwhile, "автократия" is closely tied to the historical rule of Russian tsars, reflecting centuries of absolute monarchical power before the 1917 Revolution.

Related Concepts:

• авторитаризм (authoritarianism)
• тоталитаризм (totalitarianism)
• самодержавие (autocracy, historical Russian term)