Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'election'

English Word: election

Key Russian Translations:

• выборы /vɨˈborɨ/ - [Formal, Plural, Used in political and official contexts]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in news, politics, and everyday discussions about governance in Russian-speaking countries).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding plural forms and political vocabulary; learners at this level can grasp it with basic grammar knowledge).

Pronunciation (Russian):

выборы: /vɨˈborɨ/

Note on выборы: The stress falls on the second syllable (/ˈborɨ/). Be mindful of the soft 'ы' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers used to similar vowels. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The process of voting to select a leader, representative, or decision

Translation(s) & Context:

• выборы - Used in formal contexts like national or local voting processes, often implying a democratic or official election.

Usage Examples:

• В предстоящих выборах примет участие большое число кандидатов.

  In the upcoming elections, a large number of candidates will participate. (This example shows the word in a future-oriented, political context.)

• Результаты выборов повлияют на экономику страны.

  The election results will influence the country's economy. (Illustrates use in discussing outcomes and broader implications.)

• Граждане активно обсуждают предстоящие выборы в социальных сетях.

  Citizens are actively discussing the upcoming elections on social media. (Demonstrates informal digital contexts while retaining formal vocabulary.)

• Выборы в России проводятся каждые шесть лет для президента.

  Presidential elections in Russia are held every six years. (Highlights specific institutional usage.)

• Международные наблюдатели мониторят выборы за границей.

  International observers monitor elections abroad. (Shows application in global or comparative scenarios.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Выборы" is a plural noun (from the root "выбор", meaning "choice") and belongs to the second declension in Russian. It is typically used in its plural form and does not change for singular in the context of elections, as the concept implies multiple votes or participants. However, it follows standard Russian noun declension rules for cases.

Note: For verbs related to elections, such as "проводить выборы" (to hold elections), the verb inflects based on tense and subject (e.g., present: провожу, проводишь; past: проводил, проводила).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: избрание (/ɪzˈbranʲɪje/) - More formal, emphasizing the act of selecting; референдум (/rʲɪfʲɪˈrʲendum/) - For referendums, which are a type of election with subtle differences in scope.
• Antonyms: диктатура (/dʲɪkˈtaturə/) - Implies the opposite of a democratic election; назначение (/nəˈzanʲt͡ɕenʲɪje/) - Appointment, as in non-elective selection.

Related Phrases:

• президентские выборы - Presidential elections (Refers to national leader selection processes).
• парламентские выборы - Parliamentary elections (Used for legislative body voting).
• местные выборы - Local elections (Context: Community or regional voting, often with less national impact).

Usage Notes:

"Выборы" directly corresponds to the English "election" in formal contexts but is almost always plural in Russian, unlike English where "election" can be singular. It is commonly used in political discourse and should be paired with appropriate prepositions, such as "в выборах" (in elections) for participation. For informal settings, Russians might use it in everyday conversation about global events, but avoid it in non-political contexts to prevent confusion. When choosing between translations like "избрание," opt for "выборы" if the focus is on the voting process rather than the result.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the singular form "выбор" to mean "election," which actually means "choice." Correct: Stick to "выборы" for elections. Example of error: "Я иду на выбор" (incorrect). Correct: "Я иду на выборы" - I am going to the elections. Explanation: Russian requires the plural for this context to convey the collective nature of voting.
• Error: Misplacing stress or confusing with similar words like "выбор" (choice). Correct: Always stress the second syllable in "выборы." Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings in pronunciation, affecting comprehension in spoken Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, "выборы" often carries connotations of political tension, especially post-Soviet era reforms. Elections in Russia are frequently scrutinized for fairness, reflecting a broader cultural skepticism toward authority inherited from historical events like the Soviet era. Understanding this helps English speakers grasp the emotional weight behind discussions of "выборы" in media or conversations.

Related Concepts:

• голосование (voting)
• кандидат (candidate)
• партия (political party)