Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'feminist'

English Word: feminist

Key Russian Translations:

• феминист [fʲɪmʲɪˈnʲist] - [Formal, Masculine]
• феминистка [fʲɪmʲɪˈnʲistkə] - [Formal, Feminine]

Frequency: Medium (This term is commonly used in discussions about gender equality, social movements, and modern Russian media, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Learners at this level should understand the concept of feminism and basic noun declensions, though the word's loan origin from English may require familiarity with loanwords in Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

феминист: [fʲɪmʲɪˈnʲist]

феминистка: [fʲɪmʲɪˈnʲistkə]

Note on феминист: The stress falls on the third syllable ("nʲist"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants (fʲ and mʲ). Pronounce it with a soft, flowing quality typical of Russian loanwords.

Note on феминистка: Similar to феминист, but ends with a feminine diminutive suffix (-ка), which adds a slight softening effect; be mindful of the final "a" sound, which is reduced in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A person who advocates for women's rights and gender equality based on the political, economic, and social theory of feminism.

Translation(s) & Context:

• феминист - Used in formal or academic contexts to describe a male or gender-neutral advocate, often in discussions of social movements or history.
• феминистка - Used for female advocates, common in everyday conversations, media, or feminist literature in Russia.

Usage Examples:

• Моя сестра — активная феминистка, которая борется за равные права женщин в обществе.

  My sister is an active feminist who fights for equal rights for women in society.

• В современном мире многие феминисты и феминистки выступают против гендерных стереотипов.

  In the modern world, many feminists (both male and female) speak out against gender stereotypes.

• Известный феминист написал книгу о роли женщин в русской литературе XIX века.

  The famous feminist wrote a book about the role of women in Russian literature of the 19th century.

• Как феминистка, она организовала митинг за равную оплату труда.

  As a feminist, she organized a rally for equal pay for work.

• Феминисты в России часто сотрудничают с международными организациями для продвижения гендерного равенства.

  Feminists in Russia often collaborate with international organizations to promote gender equality.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "феминист" and "феминистка" are nouns. "Феминист" is a masculine noun of the second declension, while "феминистка" is a feminine noun. They follow standard Russian inflection patterns for nouns, with no irregularities. Below is a table outlining their key inflections:

Note: These words do not change in plural forms beyond standard patterns, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • борцы за права женщин (fighters for women's rights) - More general and less specific to the feminist movement.
  • адепт феминизма (adept of feminism) - Used in formal or philosophical contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • мизогин (misogynist) - Directly opposes the ideology of feminism.
  • традиционалист (traditionalist) - Refers to someone who resists gender equality changes.

Related Phrases:

• Движение феминисток - (Feminist movement; Refers to organized efforts for gender equality in Russia.)
• Феминистская повестка - (Feminist agenda; Used in political discussions to describe key issues.)
• Борьба феминистов за равенство - (Feminists' fight for equality; A common phrase in social activism contexts.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "феминист" and "феминистка" directly correspond to the English "feminist," but usage is gender-specific due to Russian grammar. Choose "феминист" for masculine or neutral subjects and "феминистка" for feminine ones. These terms are more common in formal, academic, or activist settings rather than casual conversation, where they might carry a slightly charged connotation. Be aware of grammatical agreement: always match the noun's gender, number, and case with surrounding words. For example, if discussing multiple advocates, use the plural forms as shown in the inflections table.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "феминист" for a female subject, e.g., "Она феминист" instead of "Она феминистка."
  Correct: "Она феминистка" (She is a feminist). Explanation: Russian requires gender agreement, so mismatching can confuse listeners and alter the meaning.

• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., saying "с феминист" in instrumental case instead of "с феминистом."
  Correct: "с феминистом" (with the feminist). Explanation: Forgetting declensions is common for English speakers, as English lacks cases, but it can make sentences grammatically incorrect in Russian.

• Error: Overusing the term in casual contexts, e.g., treating it as neutral slang when it's often formal.
  Correct: Reserve it for appropriate discussions; in casual talk, explain concepts more descriptively. Explanation: In Russian culture, direct feminist terminology might be perceived as confrontational, so context matters.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, terms like "феминист" and "феминистка" are influenced by the country's complex history with gender roles, from Soviet-era equality rhetoric to contemporary debates. Feminism gained prominence post-Perestroika, but it's often viewed through a lens of Western influence, leading to mixed perceptions. Understanding this helps English speakers navigate cultural sensitivities when discussing the topic.

Related Concepts:

• гендерное равенство (gender equality)
• право женщин (women's rights)
• патриархат (patriarchy)