Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dowager'

English Word: dowager

Key Russian Translations:

• вдова [ˈvdova] - [Formal, used for a widow, especially one of high social status]
• вдовствующая [vdoˈstvuʊʂəjə] - [Formal, specifically for a title like 'dowager queen' or in historical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The term is not extremely common in everyday Russian but appears in literature, historical discussions, and formal contexts.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and formal vocabulary. For 'вдова', it's straightforward; for 'вдовствующая', it may be B2 due to its adjective form and contextual usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вдова: [ˈvdova]

вдовствующая: [vdoˈstvuʊʂəjə]

Note on вдова: The stress is on the first syllable; the 'в' sound is a voiced labiodental fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers used to 'v' in words like "victory". Pronunciation can vary slightly in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A widow, especially one of noble or high social status

Translation(s) & Context:

• вдова - Used in formal or historical contexts, such as referring to a woman who has outlived her husband and holds a title (e.g., in aristocratic families).
• вдовствующая - Applied specifically to queens or empresses, emphasizing the ongoing status after the spouse's death.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: В исторических романах часто описывается вдова аристократа, которая управляет поместьем.

  English: In historical novels, the dowager of an aristocrat is often described as managing the estate.

• Русский: Вдовствующая императрица жила в роскошном дворце до конца своих дней.

  English: The dowager empress lived in a luxurious palace until the end of her days.

• Русский: После смерти мужа она стала вдовой и посвятила себя благотворительности.

  English: After her husband's death, she became a dowager and dedicated herself to charity.

• Русский: Вдова высокопоставленного чиновника продолжила влиять на политику.

  English: The dowager of a high-ranking official continued to influence politics.

• Русский: Вдовствующая графиня организовывала балы в своем замке.

  English: The dowager countess organized balls in her castle.

A term implying age and authority in certain contexts

Translation(s) & Context:

• вдова - In metaphorical or modern usage, to denote a woman with residual power or respect due to her past status.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: В деловом мире она известна как вдова успешного предпринимателя, которая теперь возглавляет компанию.

  English: In the business world, she is known as the dowager of a successful entrepreneur who now heads the company.

• Русский: Вдовствующая леди общества по-прежнему диктует моду в салонах.

  English: The dowager lady of society still dictates fashion in salons.

• Русский: Эта вдова старой гвардии делится историями из прошлого века.

  English: This dowager of the old guard shares stories from the past century.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are based on feminine nouns or adjectives with standard Russian inflections. 'Вдова' is a feminine noun (first declension), while 'вдовствующая' is an adjective that agrees with the noun it modifies.

Note: 'Вдова' follows regular first-declension patterns for feminine nouns. 'Вдовствующая' as an adjective changes endings based on case, number, and gender, which is standard for Russian adjectives.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вдовушка (informal, diminutive form, implying a younger or more endearing widow)
  • оставшаяся без мужа женщина (a descriptive phrase, less formal)
• Antonyms:
  • муж (husband; implies the opposite state)
  • незамужняя (unmarried woman)

Related Phrases:

• вдова императора - Refers to the widow of an emperor, often used in historical contexts.
• вдовствующая королева - Means 'dowager queen', highlighting a queen who retains her title after her husband's death.
• стать вдовой - To become a widow, a common phrase in narratives about loss.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'вдова' directly corresponds to 'dowager' in formal English contexts, but it's essential to consider the social or historical nuance. Use 'вдова' for general widowhood, and 'вдовствующая' for titles like queens. These terms are typically formal and appear in literature or official biographies. Grammatically, ensure agreement in gender, number, and case. For English learners, choose 'вдова' in everyday scenarios and 'вдовствующая' when emphasizing ongoing status or authority.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'вдова' in plural without proper context, e.g., saying "вдовы" when referring to a single dowager. Correct: Check if the context requires singular or plural forms. Example of error: "Эта вдова" mistakenly as "Эти вдовы" for one person. Explanation: Russian nouns must match number accurately to avoid confusion in gender-specific roles.

• Error: Confusing 'вдовствующая' with a noun instead of an adjective, leading to incorrect sentence structure. Correct: Use it as "вдовствующая королева" rather than standalone. Example of error: "Она вдовствующая" (incorrect); Correct: "Она вдовствующая императрица". Explanation: This adjective must modify a noun, unlike the standalone noun 'вдова'.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'вдова' carry historical weight, often linked to the roles of women in imperial Russia, such as Catherine the Great's widowhood. It reflects patriarchal traditions where widows might inherit power or face social expectations, symbolizing resilience and legacy in literature like Tolstoy's works.

Related Concepts:

• сирота (orphan)
• наследница (heir or heiress)
• аристократка (aristocrat, female)