Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'feudalism'

English Word: feudalism

Key Russian Translations:

• феодализм (/fʲɪɐˈdalʲɪzm/) - [Formal, Historical Context]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in academic, historical, or specialized discussions; not common in everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: C1 (Advanced; Requires familiarity with historical and sociological terminology in Russian, suitable for learners with strong vocabulary and context understanding.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

феодализм: /fʲɪɐˈdalʲɪzm/

Note on феодализм: The initial "ф" is pronounced as a soft, aspirated "f" sound, and the stress falls on the third syllable. Be mindful of the palatalized "д" which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation may occur based on regional accents in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A social and economic system based on land ownership, loyalty, and hierarchical relationships, typically in medieval Europe.

Translation(s) & Context:

• феодализм - Used in formal historical or academic contexts to describe the feudal system, emphasizing land tenure and vassalage relationships.

Usage Examples:

• Феодализм был основой средневекового общества в Европе.

  Feudalism was the foundation of medieval society in Europe.

• В системе феодализма крестьяне работали на земле феодала в обмен на защиту.

  In the feudalism system, peasants worked on the lord's land in exchange for protection.

• Феодализм повлиял на развитие политических структур в России до петровских реформ.

  Feudalism influenced the development of political structures in Russia before Peter's reforms.

• Изучение феодализма помогает понять эволюцию современных экономических систем.

  Studying feudalism helps understand the evolution of modern economic systems.

• Феодализм как социальная модель постепенно уступил место капитализму в XIX веке.

  Feudalism as a social model gradually gave way to capitalism in the 19th century.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

феодализм is a masculine noun (from the Greek loanword) and follows the standard declension pattern for Russian nouns ending in -изм. It is invariable in the plural form as it is an abstract concept, but it changes in cases for singular forms. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: As an abstract noun, it rarely appears in plural forms. The declension is regular, making it straightforward for learners once basic patterns are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сословное общество (soslovnoe obshchestvo) - Emphasizes class-based structure, often used interchangeably in historical contexts.
  • поместная система (pomestnaya sistema) - Focuses on land-based systems, with subtle differences in Russian historical applications.
• Antonyms:
  • капитализм (kapitalizm) - Represents a modern economic system contrasting with feudal hierarchies.
  • социализм (sotsializm) - Highlights collective ownership, opposing feudal individualism.

Related Phrases:

• система феодализма (Sistema feodalizma) - The system of feudalism; Used in discussions of historical governance.
• феодальный строй (Feodal'nyy stroy) - Feudal order; Refers to the organizational structure in medieval societies.
• эпоха феодализма (Epokha feodalizma) - The era of feudalism; Common in historical narratives to denote a period.

Usage Notes:

феодализм directly corresponds to the English term "feudalism" and is typically used in formal, academic, or historical contexts in Russian. It carries a neutral connotation but may imply criticism in modern discussions of social inequality. When choosing this term over synonyms like "сословное общество," opt for феодализм when focusing on Western European models; for Russian-specific contexts, "поместная система" might be more appropriate. Grammatically, it functions as a masculine noun and requires correct case agreement in sentences, such as in prepositional phrases (e.g., "в феодализме" for "in feudalism"). Avoid using it in casual conversation, as it is domain-specific.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Incorrect declension, e.g., using "феодализм" in the genitive case as "феодализм" instead of "феодализма." Correct: "Развитие феодализма" (The development of feudalism). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, and beginners often overlook this, leading to grammatical errors.

• Mistake: Confusing it with "феодал" (feudal lord), treating them as synonyms. Correct: Use феодализм for the system, not the individual. Explanation: феодализм refers to the broader system, while феодал is a person; mixing them can distort meaning in historical analyses.

• Mistake: Pronouncing it with English phonetics, e.g., stressing the wrong syllable. Correct: Emphasize /ˈdalʲɪzm/ as in Russian. Explanation: This can make the word sound unnatural; practice with native audio to master the soft consonants.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, феодализм is often discussed in the context of Kievan Rus and the Muscovite period, where similar land-based hierarchies existed. It carries historical weight, symbolizing the pre-modern era before Peter the Great's reforms, and is sometimes critiqued in literature and education as a barrier to progress, reflecting Russia's complex relationship with its feudal past.

Related Concepts:

• феодал (feodal) - Feudal lord
• вассал (vassal) - Vassal
• поместье (pomest'ye) - Estate or fief
• средневековье (srednevekove) - Middle Ages