Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'electorate'

English Word: electorate

Key Russian Translations:

• электорат /ɪlʲɪkˈtorət/ - [Formal, typically used in political or academic contexts]
• избиратели /ɪzˈbɪrətʲɪlʲi/ - [Plural, Formal, often refers to voters as a group in everyday or official discussions]

Frequency: Medium (Common in political news, elections, and formal writing, but less frequent in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of political terminology and basic Russian noun inflections; for 'электорат', it's straightforward as a borrowed word, while 'избиратели' involves plural forms and cases)

Pronunciation (Russian):

электорат: /ɪlʲɪkˈtorət/ (Stress on the second syllable; note the soft 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers)

Note on электорат: This word is a borrowing from English/French, so its pronunciation is relatively consistent, but ensure the 'р' is trilled for authenticity in Russian speech.

избиратели: /ɪzˈbɪrətʲɪlʲi/ (Stress on the second syllable; pay attention to the palatalized 'т' and 'л', common in Russian nouns)

Note on избиратели: This plural form may vary slightly in rapid speech, with potential softening of consonants; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The body of people entitled to vote in an election

Translation(s) & Context:

• электорат - Used in formal political analysis or media to refer to the collective voting public, often implying a demographic or strategic group.
• избиратели - Applied in broader contexts like election campaigns, emphasizing individuals or groups actively participating in voting.

Usage Examples:

• В нашей стране электорат часто влияет на исход выборов, учитывая экономические факторы.

  In our country, the electorate often influences election outcomes, considering economic factors.

• Избиратели должны быть информированы о кандидатах перед голосованием.

  Voters must be informed about candidates before voting.

• Анализ электората показал, что молодежь предпочитает прогрессивные реформы.

  Analysis of the electorate showed that young people prefer progressive reforms.

• Избиратели в сельских районах имеют уникальные приоритеты по сравнению с городскими.

  Voters in rural areas have unique priorities compared to those in urban areas.

• Политические партии стараются привлечь электорат через социальные сети.

  Political parties try to attract the electorate through social media.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'электорат' is a masculine noun (borrowed from English/French) and follows standard Russian declension patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. It is relatively invariable in singular form but can change in cases.

'избиратели' is the plural nominative form of 'избиратель' (a masculine noun), which undergoes full Russian nominal inflection. Below is a table for its key inflections:

Note: 'электорат' is less inflected and often remains unchanged in contexts where it's treated as a mass noun, e.g., "в электорате" (in the electorate).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • голосующие (those who vote; more general and informal)
  • выборщики (electors; implies a formal selection process, with subtle differences in historical contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • неголосующие (non-voters; refers to those who do not participate)
  • апатичные избиратели (apathetic voters; implies disinterest, though not a direct antonym)

Related Phrases:

• Активный электорат - Refers to an engaged or motivated voting public.
• Избиратели на выборах - Means voters during elections, often used in official reports.
• Мотивированный электорат - Describes a driven electorate, such as in campaign strategies.
• Потенциальные избиратели - Indicates potential voters, useful in polling contexts.

Usage Notes:

Use 'электорат' when discussing the electorate as a unified entity in formal or analytical contexts, as it directly mirrors the English term and is common in Russian media. 'Избиратели' is preferable for emphasizing individuals or groups, especially in plural forms, and aligns with everyday political discourse. Be mindful of case endings in Russian sentences; for example, in prepositional phrases like 'в электорате', the word remains stable. English learners should note that Russian political vocabulary often carries neutral connotations, but context can imply bias, such as in election rhetoric.

• Choose 'электорат' for borrowed or international contexts.
• Avoid mixing with unrelated terms like 'выборы' (elections) without proper linking.

Common Errors:

English learners often mistake 'электорат' for a plural noun and incorrectly use it in singular contexts, e.g., saying "этот электорат" instead of the correct "этот электорат" (which is fine, but they might forget case agreements). A common error is confusing it with 'избиратель', using the singular form where plural is needed: Incorrect: "Избиратель голосует" (implying a single voter in a general sense); Correct: "Избиратели голосуют" for a group. Another mistake is improper pronunciation, such as softening the 'р' sound, which can make it sound unnatural—practice with audio to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of 'электорат' or 'избиратели' is heavily tied to the country's electoral history, including the post-Soviet era where voter turnout and manipulation have been significant issues. For instance, during major elections, these terms evoke discussions on civic engagement, as seen in events like the 1991 referendum, highlighting the electorate's role in shaping modern Russian democracy.

Related Concepts:

• выборы
• голосование
• политические партии
• демократия