Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'doctorate'

English Word: doctorate

Key Russian Translations:

• докторская степень [ˈdɔktərskəjə stʲɪˈpʲenʲʲ] - [Formal, Academic context]
• докторантура [dɐktɐrɐˈturə] - [Formal, Less common, Used in specific educational discussions]

Frequency: Medium (Primarily used in academic, professional, and educational contexts; not everyday conversation but common in higher education settings.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with academic vocabulary and Russian noun declensions. For 'докторская степень', B2; for 'докторантура', also B2 due to its specialized nature.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

докторская степень: [ˈdɔktərskəjə stʲɪˈpʲenʲʲ]

докторантура: [dɐktɐrɐˈturə]

Note on докторская степень: The stress falls on the first syllable of "докторская" and the second of "степень." Be mindful of the soft sign (ʲ) in "степень," which affects the pronunciation of the preceding consonant.

Note on докторантура: This word has a rolling 'r' sound, which can be challenging for non-native speakers; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The highest academic degree conferred by a university, typically after several years of research leading to a dissertation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• докторская степень - Used in formal academic writing, university applications, or professional discussions about qualifications; implies a completed doctoral program.
• докторантура - Applied in contexts discussing the process or system of doctoral education, such as in policy documents or educational reforms.

Usage Examples:

• Он успешно защитил свою докторскую степень в области истории.

  He successfully defended his doctorate in history.

• Для получения докторской степени требуется несколько лет исследований.

  Obtaining a doctorate requires several years of research.

• В России докторантура часто включает обязательные семинары и публикации.

  In Russia, the doctorate process often includes mandatory seminars and publications.

• Её докторская степень открыла двери к престижной академической карьере.

  Her doctorate opened doors to a prestigious academic career.

• После магистратуры многие студенты продолжают докторантуру за границей.

  After their master's, many students pursue a doctorate abroad.

Alternative meaning: Informal reference to advanced expertise or qualification in a field (less common).

Translation(s) & Context:

• докторская степень - Used metaphorically in informal settings, such as praising someone's knowledge, but still formal in tone.

Usage Examples:

• Его знания в IT можно сравнить с докторской степенью.

  His knowledge in IT can be compared to a doctorate.

• Без докторской степени в этой области трудно получить такую должность.

  Without a doctorate in this field, it's hard to get such a position.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'докторская степень' is a noun phrase where 'степень' (feminine noun) inflects by case, number, and gender, while 'докторская' (adjective) agrees with it. 'докторантура' is a feminine noun that follows standard first-declension patterns.

For 'степень' (feminine, first declension):

For 'докторантура' (feminine, first declension, similar to 'степень'):

These follow regular patterns, but always ensure adjective agreement (e.g., 'докторская' changes to match case: докторскую степень in accusative).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • учёная степень (scholarly degree; more general and interchangeable in academic contexts)
  • доктор наук (doctor of sciences; specific to certain fields like in Russia)
• Antonyms:
  • бакалавр (bachelor's degree; represents a lower level of academic qualification)
  • магистр (master's degree; intermediate level)

Note: 'учёная степень' is broader and may imply less prestige in some contexts compared to 'докторская степень'.

Related Phrases:

• получить докторскую степень - To obtain a doctorate; used when discussing achievement of the degree.
• защитить диссертацию для докторской степени - To defend a dissertation for a doctorate; common in academic evaluations.
• докторантура в России - Doctorate in Russia; refers to the system, often with cultural specifics.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'докторская степень' directly corresponds to the English 'doctorate' in formal contexts, but it's more commonly used in written or official language. Choose 'докторантура' when emphasizing the educational process rather than the final qualification. Be aware of gender agreement: as a feminine noun, it must align with adjectives and verbs (e.g., 'степень была получена'). In everyday conversation, Russians might simplify to 'доктор' informally, but this is less precise. For English learners, prioritize 'докторская степень' for standard translations.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'доктор' alone to mean 'doctorate', thinking it equates to the degree. Correct: 'Доктор' means 'doctor' as a title or physician. Instead, use 'докторская степень' for the degree. Example of error: "Я имею доктор" (incorrect). Correct: "Я имею докторскую степень". Explanation: This confuses the title with the qualification, common among beginners.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun in sentences, e.g., saying "работа над степень" instead of "работа над степенью". Correct: Always decline based on case (genitive here). Explanation: Russian requires strict grammatical agreement, unlike English, which can lead to awkward phrasing.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, obtaining a 'докторская степень' often involves a public defense of a dissertation, which is a significant cultural event emphasizing intellectual rigor and community validation. This process reflects the Soviet-era influence on education, where academic achievements are tied to national pride and institutional prestige, differing from more individualized systems in English-speaking countries.

Related Concepts:

• магистратура
• диссертация
• академическая карьера