Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'estrangement'

English Word: estrangement

Key Russian Translations:

• Отчуждение [ɐt͡ɕʐɨˈʐdʲenʲɪje] - [Formal]
• Разрыв [rɐˈzrif] - [Informal, Used in relational contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in psychological, social, and literary discussions but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of abstract concepts and noun declensions for 'Отчуждение', while 'Разрыв' is slightly easier at B1)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Отчуждение: [ɐt͡ɕʐɨˈʐdʲenʲɪje]

Разрыв: [rɐˈzrif]

Note on Отчуждение: The stress is on the third syllable ('ʐdʲenʲɪje'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'dʲ' sound; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The state of being emotionally or socially distant from someone, often due to conflict or time apart.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Отчуждение - Used in formal or psychological contexts, such as family or societal estrangement.
• Разрыв - Applied in informal settings, like a relationship breakup or sudden separation.

Usage Examples:

• После долгого спора между родителями произошло отчуждение, которое длилось годы.

  After a long argument between the parents, estrangement occurred that lasted for years.

• В современном обществе социальное отчуждение часто возникает из-за изоляции в социальных сетях.

  In modern society, social estrangement often arises due to isolation on social media.

• Разрыв с друзьями из-за политических разногласий привел к полному отчуждению.

  The breakup with friends due to political differences led to complete estrangement.

• Эмоциональное отчуждение в браке может быть преодолено с помощью терапии.

  Emotional estrangement in a marriage can be overcome with therapy.

• После переезда в другой город, разрыв с прежней жизнью вызвал чувство отчуждения.

  After moving to another city, the breakup with the previous life caused a sense of estrangement.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'Отчуждение' and 'Разрыв' are neuter nouns. 'Отчуждение' follows the second declension pattern, which is regular for many Russian nouns, while 'Разрыв' is also second declension but can vary slightly in usage. Below is a table for their declensions:

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners, but always pay attention to case endings in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Алиенация (Alienation; more psychological connotation)
  • Изоляция (Isolation; used when estrangement involves physical separation)
• Antonyms:
  • Близость (Closeness; implies intimacy and connection)
  • Сближение (Reconciliation; suggests mending of relationships)

Related Phrases:

• Социальное отчуждение - Social estrangement; Refers to alienation from society, often in sociological contexts.
• Эмоциональный разрыв - Emotional breakup; Used for personal relationships involving estrangement.
• Отчуждение от реальности - Estrangement from reality; Common in discussions of mental health or escapism.

Usage Notes:

'Отчуждение' is the most precise translation for 'estrangement' in formal contexts, such as psychology or literature, and aligns closely with English usage. It is typically used in written or academic Russian. 'Разрыв' is better for informal, everyday scenarios like friendships or romances. Be mindful of the noun's declension based on case (e.g., genitive for possession). When choosing between translations, opt for 'Отчуждение' if the estrangement is ongoing and internal, and 'Разрыв' for abrupt, external breaks. Always consider the context to avoid literal translations that might not capture nuances.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'Отчуждение' with 'Изоляция': Learners might use 'Изоляция' when 'Отчуждение' is more appropriate for emotional distance. Incorrect: "Я чувствую изоляция от семьи" (wrong word choice). Correct: "Я чувствую отчуждение от семьи" – Explanation: 'Изоляция' implies physical separation, while 'Отчуждение' conveys emotional estrangement.
• Misdeclining the noun: For example, using nominative in all cases, like "Из-за отчуждение" instead of "Из-за отчуждения" (genitive). Correct form: Always adjust for case to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'Отчуждение' often appears in literature and philosophy, such as in the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky, where it reflects themes of existential isolation. During the Soviet era, social estrangement was a subtle critique of state control, highlighting how individuals felt disconnected from society, which adds a layer of historical depth to its usage.

Related Concepts:

• Одиночество (Loneliness)
• Алиенация (Alienation)
• Изоляция (Isolation)