Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'family'

English Word: family

Key Russian Translations:

• семья /sʲɪˈmʲja/ - [Formal, Singular; Used in general contexts]
• род /rot/ - [Formal, Plural in extended senses; Used for lineage or clan]

Frequency: High (Common in everyday conversations, media, and literature)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary, as it involves basic noun forms; for 'семья' it's straightforward, but 'род' may require B1 for nuanced usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

семья: /sʲɪˈmʲja/

Note on семья: The initial 'с' is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers; stress is on the second syllable.

род: /rot/

Note on род: Pronounced with a hard 'р', similar to the English 'r' in "run"; no significant variations.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A group of people related by blood, marriage, or adoption

Translation(s) & Context:

• семья - Used in everyday, domestic contexts, such as discussing household or immediate relatives (e.g., in casual or formal settings).
• род - Used for broader family lines, like ancestry or tribes, often in historical or formal discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Моя семья живёт в Москве. (My family lives in Moscow.)

  English: My family lives in Moscow. (This example shows basic declarative sentence structure with the noun in nominative case.)

• В нашей семье всегда много гостей на праздники. (In our family, there are always many guests during holidays.)

  English: In our family, there are always many guests during holidays. (Illustrates possessive use with 'нашей' for 'our'.)

• Он гордится своим родом, который восходит к древним временам. (He is proud of his lineage, which dates back to ancient times.)

  English: He is proud of his lineage, which dates back to ancient times. (Demonstrates 'род' in a historical context with genitive case 'своим'.)

• Семья – это основа общества. (Family is the foundation of society.)

  English: Family is the foundation of society. (Shows abstract, philosophical usage.)

• Её род включает известных исторических фигур. (Her family line includes famous historical figures.)

  English: Her family line includes famous historical figures. (Highlights 'род' for extended family in biographical contexts.)

Secondary Meaning: A group sharing common characteristics (e.g., in a metaphorical sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• семья - Used metaphorically for groups like work families or teams (informal contexts).

Usage Examples:

• Наша офисная семья всегда поддерживает друг друга. (Our office family always supports each other.)

  English: Our office family always supports each other. (Metaphorical use in a professional setting.)

• В этой стране все чувствуют себя одной большой семьёй. (In this country, everyone feels like one big family.)

  English: In this country, everyone feels like one big family. (Emphasizes unity in a national context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Семья' is a feminine noun in the first declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns. Below is a table of its inflections:

'Род' is a masculine noun with irregular inflections in some cases. It is invariable in plural for certain uses but follows standard patterns:

Note: These words do not change for gender but inflect for case and number as shown.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • клан (clan; used for extended family groups)
  • родня (relatives; more informal for immediate family)
• Antonyms:
  • враги (enemies; implies opposition to family unity)
  • чужие (strangers; for those outside the family circle)

Related Phrases:

• Семейные традиции (Family traditions) - Refers to customs passed down through generations.
• Родственные связи (Family ties) - Indicates blood relations or bonds.
• Большая семья (Extended family) - Used for a large group including relatives beyond the nuclear family.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'семья' directly corresponds to the English 'family' in most contexts, but it's important to note gender agreement in sentences (e.g., adjectives and verbs must agree with its feminine form). 'Род' is better for historical or genealogical discussions. Use 'семья' in formal writing or everyday talk, but avoid it in highly technical contexts where 'род' might be more precise. When choosing between translations, consider the scope: 'семья' for immediate family and 'род' for broader lineages.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'семья' in plural without proper context, e.g., saying "семьяs" as if it's an English plural. Correct: In Russian, use the proper inflected plural like "семьи". Explanation: Russian nouns don't borrow English plural forms; always decline correctly to avoid sounding unnatural.
• Mistake: Confusing 'семья' with 'род' in historical texts, e.g., translating "family history" as "семья история" instead of "родовая история". Correct: Use "род" for ancestry. Explanation: This mix-up can lead to imprecise meanings, as 'семья' implies current relations while 'род' denotes heritage.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'семья' holds a central place, emphasizing strong familial bonds and multi-generational living arrangements. Historically, the concept of 'род' ties into Russia's communal past, such as in Slavic tribes, reflecting a sense of collective identity that contrasts with more individualistic Western views.

Related Concepts:

• дети (children)
• родители (parents)
• брак (marriage)