Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'emperor'

English Word: emperor

Key Russian Translations:

• император /ɪm.pʲɪˈra.tər/ - [Formal, Historical context]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in historical, academic, or formal discussions about monarchies and empires.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2 according to CEFR standards, as it requires understanding of historical terminology and basic noun declensions in Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

император: /ɪm.pʲɪˈra.tər/

Note on император: The stress falls on the third syllable ("ra"), and the "пʲ" represents a palatalized 'p' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in different Russian dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The supreme ruler of an empire, often with absolute power.

Translation(s) & Context:

• император - Used in formal and historical contexts, such as referring to figures like the Russian tsars or Roman emperors. It implies a high level of authority and is typically associated with imperial systems.

Usage Examples:

• Русский император Пётр Великий реформировал страну в начале XVIII века.

  The Russian emperor Peter the Great reformed the country in the early 18th century.

• В истории Китая император играл ключевую роль в управлении династией.

  In Chinese history, the emperor played a key role in managing the dynasty.

• Император Японии символизирует единство нации в современной конституции.

  The emperor of Japan symbolizes national unity in the modern constitution.

• Во время правления императора, экономика империи процветала благодаря торговле.

  During the emperor's reign, the empire's economy flourished due to trade.

• Император объявил войну, что привело к значительным изменениям в границах.

  The emperor declared war, which led to significant changes in borders.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Император" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows standard patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariable in terms of gender but changes regularly across cases as shown. For compound phrases, inflections may depend on context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • царь (tsar) - Often used interchangeably in historical Russian contexts, but implies a more Slavic or autocratic rule.
  • монарх (monarch) - A broader term for any ruler, less specific to empires.
• Antonyms:
  • подданный (subject) - Refers to a person under the rule of an emperor.
  • республиканец ( republican) - Implies opposition to monarchical systems.

Related Phrases:

• Императорский дворец (Imperial palace) - Refers to the residence of an emperor, often symbolizing power and heritage.
• Императорская династия (Imperial dynasty) - A sequence of rulers from the same family, common in historical narratives.
• Власть императора (Power of the emperor) - Discusses the authority and influence wielded by such a figure.

Usage Notes:

"Император" directly corresponds to "emperor" in English, emphasizing a ruler of an empire rather than a king or tsar. It is typically used in formal or historical contexts and carries connotations of absolute power. Be mindful of the word's declensions when constructing sentences in Russian. For modern usage, it's less common in everyday speech but essential in discussions of history or politics. If the context involves Russian history, "царь" might be a more culturally appropriate synonym, but "император" is precise for Western-style empires.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "император" with "король" (king): English learners often mix this up. Incorrect: "Император Англии" (meaning "King of England"). Correct: "Король Англии" for a king, as "император" implies a larger empire. Explanation: "Император" denotes rule over multiple kingdoms, so use it only for figures like the Russian emperors, not British monarchs before the title change.

• Forgetting declensions: Incorrect: "Я видел император" (I saw emperor). Correct: "Я видел императора" (in accusative case). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always adjust the ending based on the sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "император" is deeply tied to the history of the Russian Empire, particularly the Romanov dynasty (1613–1917). It evokes images of absolute rule, as seen with emperors like Peter the Great or Nicholas II. This term carries a sense of grandeur and nostalgia, often romanticized in literature and films, but it also reminds of the autocratic systems that led to the 1917 Revolution.

Related Concepts:

• империя (empire)
• монархия (monarchy)
• династия (dynasty)