Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'empress'

English Word: empress

Key Russian Translations:

• императрица - /ɪm.pʲɪ.rɐˈtrʲi.t͡sə/ - [Formal, Historical Context]

Frequency: Medium (Common in historical, literary, and formal discussions but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and formal vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

императрица: /ɪm.pʲɪ.rɐˈtrʲi.t͡sə/

Note on императрица: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("tri"), and the "р" is rolled. Be mindful of the palatalized "тʲ" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations may occur in regional accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The female ruler of an empire or the wife of an emperor

Translation(s) & Context:

• императрица - Used in formal, historical, or literary contexts to refer to a reigning empress or consort, often in discussions of monarchy or imperial history.

Usage Examples:

• Императрица Екатерина Великая правила Россией в 18 веке.

  Empress Catherine the Great ruled Russia in the 18th century.

• В музее выставлены портреты императрицы и её семьи.

  In the museum, portraits of the empress and her family are displayed.

• Императрица была известна своей культурной реформой и просвещением.

  The empress was known for her cultural reforms and enlightenment.

• Во время коронации императрицы толпы заполнили улицы.

  During the empress's coronation, crowds filled the streets.

• Императрица управляла империей с помощью советников и генералов.

  The empress governed the empire with the help of advisors and generals.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Императрица" is a feminine noun of the first declension in Russian. It follows standard patterns for feminine nouns ending in -а, with regular inflections across cases and numbers. There are no irregularities, but learners should note the stress shifts in some forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • царица (tsaritsa) - Often used interchangeably for a queen or empress in historical contexts; implies a slightly less formal or imperial connotation.
  • государыня (gosudarynya) - A more archaic term for a female sovereign, emphasizing authority in older Russian texts.
• Antonyms:
  • император (imperator) - The masculine counterpart, referring to a male emperor.
  • царь (tsar) - A male ruler, often in a monarchical sense.

Related Phrases:

• Императрица России (Imperatritsa Rossii) - Refers to the Empress of Russia; commonly used in historical discussions.
• Коронация императрицы (Koronasiya imperatritsy) - The coronation of the empress; a phrase for formal events in imperial history.
• Императрица и её двор (Imperatritsa i yeyo dvor) - The empress and her court; denotes royal entourages in literature or documentaries.

Usage Notes:

• "Императрица" directly corresponds to "empress" in English, particularly in contexts involving empires like the Russian or Romanov dynasties. It is strictly formal and historical, so avoid using it in casual conversation.
• In modern Russian, it may appear in educational or cultural contexts; for everyday equivalents, consider "королева" (queen) if the context is less imperial.
• Grammar note: Always feminine, so adjectives and verbs must agree (e.g., "великая императрица" for "great empress"). When choosing between translations, use "императрица" for explicit imperial roles and "царица" for broader monarchical ones.

Common Errors:

• Confusing cases: English learners often use the nominative form "императрица" in all contexts. For example, incorrectly saying "о императрица" instead of "об императрице" in the prepositional case. Correct usage: "Мы говорим об императрице" (We are talking about the empress), not "Мы говорим о императрица".
• Misgendering: Forgetting that it must agree with feminine grammar, e.g., saying "великий императрица" (wrong, as "великий" is masculine) instead of "великая императрица" (great empress).
• Overgeneralization: Using it for any female leader, like "president," which is incorrect; stick to imperial contexts to avoid confusion.

Cultural Notes:

The term "императрица" evokes significant cultural and historical connotations in Russia, often linked to figures like Catherine the Great or Alexandra Feodorovna. It symbolizes the height of imperial power and is tied to Russia's Romanov era, representing themes of autocracy, reform, and sometimes controversy in Russian literature and national identity.

Related Concepts:

• монархия (monarkhiya)
• династия (dinastiya)
• коронация (koronasiya)