Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'edifice'

English Word: edifice

Key Russian Translations:

• здание [zɐˈdanʲɪje] - [Formal, Singular]
• сооружение [sərʊˈʐenʲɪje] - [Formal, Often used for larger or engineered structures]

Frequency: Medium (Common in architectural, historical, or formal contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and vocabulary related to buildings)

Pronunciation (Russian):

здание: [zɐˈdanʲɪje]

Note on здание: The stress is on the third syllable, which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'н'. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

сооружение: [sərʊˈʐenʲɪje]

Note on сооружение: The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in "measure," and the word is often stressed on the third syllable. Regional accents might soften the initial 'с'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: A large, imposing building or structure, often with historical or architectural significance.

Translation(s) & Context:

• здание - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as discussing architecture or urban planning.
• сооружение - Applied when emphasizing engineering or construction aspects, like bridges or monuments.

Usage Examples:

• Это величественное здание было построено в XIX веке. (This majestic edifice was built in the 19th century.)

  Translation: This majestic edifice was built in the 19th century.

• Городское сооружение устояло против землетрясения благодаря своей прочности. (The urban edifice withstood the earthquake due to its strength.)

  Translation: The urban edifice withstood the earthquake due to its strength.

• Внутри старого здания сохранились оригинальные фрески. (Inside the old edifice, the original frescoes have been preserved.)

  Translation: Inside the old edifice, the original frescoes have been preserved.

• Это не просто сооружение, а символ национального наследия. (This is not just an edifice, but a symbol of national heritage.)

  Translation: This is not just an edifice, but a symbol of national heritage.

• Архитектор спроектировал здание, которое сочетает современность и классику. (The architect designed an edifice that combines modernity and classicism.)

  Translation: The architect designed an edifice that combines modernity and classicism.

Secondary meaning: A complex system or organization, metaphorically (less common in Russian).

Translation(s) & Context:

• здание - Rarely used metaphorically, but possible in literary contexts for abstract structures.

Usage Examples:

• Бюрократическое здание правительства нуждается в реформе. (The bureaucratic edifice of the government needs reform.)

  Translation: The bureaucratic edifice of the government needs reform.

• Это здание идей рухнуло под давлением фактов. (This edifice of ideas collapsed under the pressure of facts.)

  Translation: This edifice of ideas collapsed under the pressure of facts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "здание" and "сооружение" are neuter nouns in Russian, which follow standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. They are inflected based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table for "здание" as an example; "сооружение" follows similar patterns with slight variations in some cases due to its structure.

For "сооружение", the plural forms are similar but may vary: e.g., Genitive Plural is "сооружений". These nouns do not change in gender but must agree with adjectives and verbs accordingly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • строение (slightly more general, often for any building)
  • постройка (informal, for constructed structures)
• Antonyms:
  • развалины (ruins, implying decay)
  • пустырь (wasteland, for undeveloped areas)

Related Phrases:

• историческое здание (historical edifice) - Refers to buildings with cultural significance.
• монументальное сооружение (monumental edifice) - Used for grand, impressive structures in architecture.
• старинное здание (ancient edifice) - Common in discussions of heritage sites, implying age and endurance.

Usage Notes:

"Edifice" translates most directly to "здание" in formal contexts, but "сооружение" is preferred when emphasizing engineering or durability. In Russian, these words are often used in written or official language rather than casual speech. Be mindful of declensions; for example, use the genitive case after prepositions like "в" (in). When choosing between translations, opt for "здание" for everyday buildings and "сооружение" for more complex structures to ensure precision.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "здание" without proper declension, e.g., saying "в здание" instead of "в здании".
  Correct: "в здании" (in the edifice). Explanation: Russian requires the prepositional case for locations, which English speakers often overlook.
• Mistake: Confusing "здание" with "дом" (house), leading to incorrect usage in formal contexts.
  Correct: Use "здание" for public or large structures, not "дом". Explanation: "Дом" is more domestic, while "здание" conveys grandeur, similar to "edifice".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "здание" often carry historical weight, especially in cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg, where edifices such as the Kremlin represent national pride and endurance. This reflects Russia's emphasis on architecture as a symbol of resilience against historical upheavals.

Related Concepts:

• архитектура (architecture)
• памятник (monument)
• городской ландшафт (urban landscape)