Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fortress'

English Word: fortress

Key Russian Translations:

• крепость /krʲɪˈposʲtʲ/ - [Formal, used in historical, military, or architectural contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions of history, architecture, and military topics, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of Russian noun declensions and vocabulary related to places and structures)

Pronunciation (Russian):

крепость: /krʲɪˈposʲtʲ/

Note on крепость: The pronunciation features a palatalized 'r' sound (/rʲ/), which can be challenging for English speakers. Stress falls on the second syllable. Variations may occur in regional dialects, but this is the standard Moscow-based pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The primary meaning: A large fortified place or structure, often used in military or historical contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• крепость - Typically used for permanent fortifications like castles or citadels; common in formal writing, historical narratives, or educational discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Москва Кремль — это древняя крепость, которая охраняла город от врагов.

  The Moscow Kremlin is an ancient fortress that protected the city from enemies.

• Во время войны солдаты укрылись в крепости, чтобы переждать обстрел.

  During the war, the soldiers took shelter in the fortress to wait out the bombardment.

• Крепость была построена в Средние века для защиты торговых путей.

  The fortress was built in the Middle Ages to protect trade routes.

• Туристы посетили руины старой крепости, чтобы узнать её историю.

  Tourists visited the ruins of the old fortress to learn about its history.

• В крепости хранились запасы оружия и продовольствия на случай осады.

  The fortress stored supplies of weapons and food in case of a siege.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

крепость is a feminine noun (3rd declension) ending in -ость, which follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns. It changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table of its declensions for singular and plural forms:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • форт (fort; more specific to military outposts)
  • цитадель (citadel; implies a stronger, more central fortress; often used in urban contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • открытый город (open city; refers to a city without fortifications)
  • мирный город (peaceful city; emphasizes lack of defensive structures)

Related Phrases:

• штурм крепости (storming of the fortress; used in military history to describe an assault on defenses)
• осада крепости (siege of the fortress; refers to a prolonged blockade, common in historical narratives)
• крепость на холме (fortress on a hill; a common geographical description in tourism or geography)

Usage Notes:

крепость directly corresponds to the English "fortress" in most contexts, particularly those involving history, architecture, or defense. It is typically used in formal or written language, such as in books, articles, or educational materials. Be mindful of its feminine gender and declension when constructing sentences— for example, use appropriate adjectives and verbs that agree with it. If the context is more modern or metaphorical, consider alternatives like "форт" for smaller structures. When choosing among translations, opt for крепость when emphasizing permanence and historical significance.

Common Errors:

• Confusing крепость with крепкий: Learners often mix up this noun with the adjective крепкий (meaning "strong" or "sturdy"). For example, an incorrect sentence might be: "Крепкий была большая" (wrong; this implies "The strong was big"), whereas the correct use for fortress is: "Крепость была большая" (The fortress was big). Remember, крепкий is an adjective describing strength, not a noun for a structure.

• Improper declension: A common mistake is failing to change the ending in different cases, e.g., saying "в крепость" instead of "в крепости" for the prepositional case. Correct example: "Мы говорим о крепости" (We are talking about the fortress), not "Мы говорим о крепость".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, fortresses like the Moscow Kremlin symbolize national resilience and history. Many Russian cities, such as Novgorod and Kazan, feature historic крепости that played key roles in defending against invasions. These structures often carry patriotic connotations and are popular tourist sites, reflecting Russia's medieval and imperial past.

Related Concepts:

• замок (castle)
• бастион (bastion)
• укрепление (fortification)