Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'elite'

English Word: elite

Key Russian Translations:

• элита [ɪˈlʲitə] - [Formal, used in contexts referring to social or professional elite groups]
• элитный [ɪˈlʲitnɨj] - [Formal, adjective form, used to describe something elite or high-quality]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions of society, politics, and culture, but not as everyday as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, according to CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and formal language; for 'элитный', it may be B2 due to adjective usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

элита: [ɪˈlʲitə]

элитный: [ɪˈlʲitnɨj]

Note on элита: The stress is on the second syllable ('li'), and the 'лʲ' represents a palatalized 'l' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers—similar to the 'l' in 'million'. Pronounce it smoothly without harsh emphasis.

Note on элитный: The ending '-ный' is a common adjective suffix; stress remains on the second syllable, and it softens in informal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A group of people who are the most powerful, skilled, or influential in a society, organization, or field.

Translation(s) & Context:

• элита - Used in formal or academic contexts to refer to the upper echelon of society, such as political or economic leaders.
• элитный - Used as an adjective in contexts describing exclusive or high-status items, like "элитный клуб" (elite club).

Usage Examples:

• В современном обществе элита часто определяет политику страны.

  In modern society, the elite often determines the country's policy.

• Элита науки внесла значительный вклад в развитие технологий.

  The scientific elite has made a significant contribution to technological development.

• Элитный университет предлагает стипендии для одаренных студентов.

  The elite university offers scholarships for gifted students.

• В элите бизнеса ценится инновационное мышление.

  In the business elite, innovative thinking is highly valued.

• Элита общества обычно живет в привилегированных районах.

  The elite of society usually lives in privileged areas.

Meaning 2: The best or most skilled individuals in a particular area, such as sports or arts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• элита - Applied in cultural or sports contexts, emphasizing excellence and exclusivity.
• элитный - Used to describe top-tier events or groups, like an "элитный турнир" (elite tournament).

Usage Examples:

• Элита спорта готовится к Олимпийским играм с особым усердием.

  The elite of sports prepares for the Olympic Games with special diligence.

• В элите артистов всегда есть место для творческих экспериментов.

  In the elite of artists, there is always room for creative experiments.

• Элитный отбор в балетную школу требует исключительных способностей.

  Elite selection for ballet school requires exceptional abilities.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Элита' is a feminine noun (1st declension), which means it follows regular patterns of case and number changes in Russian. 'Элитный' is an adjective that agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies.

For 'элита' (singular):

For 'элитный' (as an adjective, it changes based on the noun; example with masculine singular noun):

Note: These are regular inflections; no irregularities for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: аристократия (refers to nobility, with a historical connotation), верхушка (top layer, more informal), элита общества (elite of society, emphasizing social context)
• Antonyms: простые люди (ordinary people, highlighting the opposite of elite status), массы (the masses, used in broader social discussions)

Related Phrases:

• Элита общества - A phrase meaning "the elite of society," often used in sociological contexts to discuss power structures.
• Элитный круг - Refers to "an elite circle," indicating a exclusive group of influential individuals.
• Войти в элиту - Means "to enter the elite," describing the process of achieving high status, commonly in professional fields.

Usage Notes:

'Элита' directly corresponds to the English 'elite' as a noun and is typically used in formal writing or speech, such as in news articles or academic discussions. Be cautious with 'элитный', which is an adjective and must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it describes—e.g., avoid using it without proper inflection. In everyday Russian, these words are more common in urban or educated contexts; for informal settings, simpler alternatives like 'лучшие' (the best) might be preferred. When choosing between translations, use 'элита' for groups and 'элитный' for qualities or descriptions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'элита' without proper case agreement, e.g., saying "в элита" instead of "в элите" (in the elite). Correct: Always decline based on context. Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change form in sentences, so learners must memorize basic declensions.
• Error: Confusing 'элита' with 'элитный' and using them interchangeably, e.g., saying "элита автомобиль" instead of "элитный автомобиль" (an elite car). Correct: 'Элита' is a noun; use 'элитный' as an adjective. Explanation: This mix-up stems from English's lack of gender agreement, leading to awkward phrasing in Russian.
• Error: Overusing in informal speech, e.g., saying "мы элита" in casual conversation, which sounds pretentious. Correct: Reserve for formal contexts. Explanation: Russian speakers might opt for synonyms to avoid appearing elitist.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'элита' often carries connotations of the Soviet-era intelligentsia or post-Soviet oligarchs, reflecting historical class divisions. It can evoke themes of privilege and inequality, especially in literature like Tolstoy's works, where social elites are critiqued. Understanding this helps English speakers grasp the subtle undertones in modern Russian media.

Related Concepts:

• аристократия
• бюрократия
• интеллигенция