Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'empire'

English Word: empire

Key Russian Translations:

• империя [ɪmˈpʲerʲɪjə] - [Formal, Used in historical, political, or academic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions of history, politics, and geography, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with borrowed words and basic historical vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

империя: [ɪmˈpʲerʲɪjə]

Note on империя: The stress falls on the second syllable. The 'п' is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian loanwords from Latin/Greek origins. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A large territory or group of states ruled by a single sovereign or government.

Translation(s) & Context:

• империя - Used for historical or modern empires, often in formal writing or discussions about power structures (e.g., in history books or political analyses).

Usage Examples:

• Римская империя простиралась от Британии до Ближнего Востока.

  The Roman Empire extended from Britain to the Near East.

• Британская империя была одной из крупнейших в истории.

  The British Empire was one of the largest in history.

• В наше время империя может относиться к глобальным корпорациям.

  In modern times, an empire can refer to global corporations.

• Империя Александра Великого распалась после его смерти.

  Alexander the Great's empire fell apart after his death.

• Российская империя существовала до революции 1917 года.

  The Russian Empire existed until the 1917 revolution.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Империя" is a feminine noun in Russian, belonging to the first declension. It follows standard patterns for feminine nouns ending in -я. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word does not have irregular inflections, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • держава (derzhava) - Emphasizes state power, often used interchangeably in political contexts.
  • сверхдержава (sverkhdderzhava) - For a superpower, highlighting global influence.
• Antonyms:
  • республика (respublika) - A form of government without a monarch.
  • колония (koloniya) - A dependent territory, contrasting with an independent empire.

Related Phrases:

• Римская империя - Refers to the historical Roman Empire; used in discussions of ancient history.
• Британская колониальная империя - Describes the British colonial empire; highlights imperial expansion.
• Империя зла (Empire of Evil) - A phrase from Cold War rhetoric, often referring to the Soviet Union in Western contexts; carries ideological connotations.

Usage Notes:

"Империя" directly corresponds to the English "empire" in formal and historical contexts, but it's more commonly used for large-scale political entities rather than metaphorical ones. Be mindful of the formal register; in everyday speech, Russians might prefer simpler terms like "страна" (country) for less grandiose concepts. When choosing between synonyms, use "держава" if emphasizing sovereignty. Grammatically, always treat it as a feminine noun and adjust adjectives accordingly, e.g., "большая империя" (big empire).

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing the genitive form, e.g., saying "империя России" instead of "империи России" (meaning "of Russia").

  Correct: Империи России (The Russian Empire). Explanation: The genitive case requires "империи" to show possession or relation.

• Error: Using it in plural without context, e.g., "империи" when referring to a single entity.

  Correct: Use singular for specific empires and plural only for general references, like "древние империи" (ancient empires). Explanation: Overgeneralization can lead to awkward phrasing in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "империя" often evokes the history of the Russian Empire (1721–1917), a period of expansion under tsars like Peter the Great. It carries connotations of grandeur and autocracy, which can be sensitive in modern discussions due to Russia's imperial past and its influence on national identity. Learners should note that this word is frequently used in educational and patriotic contexts, reflecting Russia's complex relationship with its history.

Related Concepts:

• царство (tsarstvo) - Kingdom
• союз (soyuz) - Union (e.g., Soviet Union)
• государство (gosudarstvo) - State