Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'feudal'

English Word: feudal

Key Russian Translations:

• феодальный /fʲɪɐˈdalʲnɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective]
• феодал /fʲɪɐˈdal/ - [Formal, Noun]

Frequency: Medium (Common in historical, academic, or political discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) - Requires familiarity with Russian adjective and noun declensions; varies slightly by translation (e.g., 'феодальный' as an adjective may be more challenging due to inflections)

Pronunciation (Russian):

феодальный: /fʲɪɐˈdalʲnɨj/

феодал: /fʲɪɐˈdal/

Note on феодальный: The soft sign (ь) in the ending affects pronunciation, making the 'l' sound softer; stress is on the third syllable, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Note on феодал: Pronunciation is straightforward but pay attention to the palatalized 'd' sound, influenced by the following vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to the feudal system or feudalism (as an adjective)

Translation(s) & Context:

• феодальный - Used in formal contexts to describe systems, periods, or structures associated with feudalism, such as in historical texts or political analyses.

Usage Examples:

• В средневековой Европе феодальный строй определял социальные отношения.

  In medieval Europe, the feudal system defined social relationships.

• Феодальный период в России был отмечен борьбой за власть.

  The feudal period in Russia was marked by struggles for power.

• Многие книги анализируют феодальный аспект средневековой экономики.

  Many books analyze the feudal aspect of medieval economics.

• Феодальный лорд обладал значительной властью над крестьянами.

  The feudal lord held significant power over the peasants.

• В феодальный век землевладение было ключевым элементом общества.

  In the feudal era, land ownership was a key element of society.

Meaning 2: A feudal lord or vassal (as a noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• феодал - Refers specifically to a person in a position of power within a feudal system, often in historical or literary contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Феодал управлял своими землями с помощью вассалов.

  The feudal lord managed his lands with the help of vassals.

• В исторических романах феодал часто изображается как жестокий правитель.

  In historical novels, the feudal lord is often depicted as a cruel ruler.

• Феодал имел право на сбор налогов с подданных.

  The feudal lord had the right to collect taxes from his subjects.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'феодальный' (adjective), it follows standard Russian adjective declension patterns, which are regular but require attention to gender, number, and case. It is an adjective of the first declension group.

For 'феодал' (noun, masculine, first declension), it declines regularly as a standard masculine noun:

• Nominative: феодал
• Genitive: феодала
• Dative: феодалу
• Accusative: феодала
• Instrumental: феодалом
• Prepositional: феодале

Plural forms are less common but follow: Nominative plural - феодалы, etc.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • средневековый (srednevekovyy) - More general, referring to medieval times, with a slight historical overlap.
  • поместный (pomestnyy) - Emphasizes land-based systems, often in a Russian context.
• Antonyms:
  • современный (sovremennyy) - Modern, contrasting with historical feudal structures.
  • демократический (demokraticheskiy) - Democratic, highlighting opposition to hierarchical systems.

Related Phrases:

• феодальный строй - Feudal system; a common phrase in historical discussions.
• феодальное право - Feudal law; refers to legal aspects of feudalism.
• феодальный вассал - Feudal vassal; used to describe subordinate figures in the system.

Usage Notes:

'Феодальный' directly corresponds to the adjectival form of 'feudal' in English, making it ideal for describing systems or eras, while 'феодал' matches the noun form for a lord or holder of fiefs. Use 'феодальный' in formal writing or academic contexts, as it is less common in casual speech. Be mindful of Russian case agreements; for example, always decline the adjective to match the noun it modifies. When choosing between translations, opt for 'феодальный' for abstract concepts and 'феодал' for personal references.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse the case of 'феодальный', such as using the nominative form in all contexts. Error: "Я читаю книга феодальный" (incorrect). Correct: "Я читаю книгу феодальную" (with accusative feminine). Explanation: Adjectives must agree in case, number, and gender with the noun.
• Confusing 'феодал' with 'феодальный', leading to incorrect part of speech. Error: Using 'феодал' as an adjective. Correct: Use 'феодальный' for adjectival needs. Explanation: These are distinct words; always check the context to select the right form.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, 'феодальный' and 'феодал' evoke the era of Kievan Rus' and later Muscovy, where feudal structures influenced land ownership and social hierarchies. This period laid the groundwork for serfdom, which persisted until the 19th century, symbolizing Russia's feudal past and its transition to modernity.

Related Concepts:

• крепостное право
• сословие
• поместье