Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fraternity'

English Word: fraternity

Key Russian Translations:

• братство /brətstvo/ - [Formal, often used in contexts of brotherhood or organized groups]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal, literary, or historical contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding Russian noun declensions and cultural connotations; suitable for learners with basic vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

братство: /brətstvo/

Note on братство: The stress falls on the first syllable (/BRAT-stvo/). Be mindful of the soft 't' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to its palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A group of people sharing common interests, especially in an educational or professional setting (e.g., university fraternity)

Translation(s) & Context:

• братство - Used in formal contexts for organizations like student groups or brotherhoods, emphasizing unity and shared bonds.

Usage Examples:

• В университете я присоединился к братству, где мы обсуждали идеи и поддерживали друг друга.

  In university, I joined the fraternity where we discussed ideas and supported each other.

• Братство инженеров организует ежегодные встречи для обмена опытом.

  The fraternity of engineers organizes annual meetings for experience sharing.

• Её братство стало для неё второй семьёй во время учёбы за границей.

  Her fraternity became like a second family for her while studying abroad.

• В этом братстве подчёркивается важность братского единства и взаимопомощи.

  In this fraternity, the importance of fraternal unity and mutual support is emphasized.

Meaning 2: A sense of brotherhood or fellowship in a broader, abstract sense (e.g., human fraternity)

Translation(s) & Context:

• братство - Applied in philosophical or social contexts, such as international relations or humanitarian efforts.

Usage Examples:

• Глобальное братство людей может помочь решить многие социальные проблемы.

  Global fraternity among people can help solve many social issues.

• В его речах часто звучит тема братства между народами.

  In his speeches, the theme of fraternity among nations often comes up.

• Братство воинов, переживших войну, остаётся крепким на всю жизнь.

  The fraternity of warriors who survived the war remains strong for life.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"братство" is a neuter noun in Russian, which follows standard third-declension patterns. It is indeclinable in some contexts but typically changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its basic inflections:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners, but always pay attention to case agreements in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сообщество (community; more general and less formal)
  • союз (union; implies a formal alliance)
• Antonyms:
  • вражда (enmity; highlights opposition)
  • раздор (discord; suggests conflict)

Related Phrases:

• братское единство - Fraternal unity; used in contexts of solidarity and cooperation among groups.
• круг братства - Circle of fraternity; refers to a close-knit group or network.
• дух братства - Spirit of fraternity; describes an atmosphere of brotherhood in social or organizational settings.

Usage Notes:

"Братство" directly corresponds to the English "fraternity" in terms of shared bonds, but it carries a more formal or historical connotation in Russian, often linked to literature or philosophy (e.g., in works by Dostoevsky). Use it in formal writing or speeches rather than casual conversation. When choosing between translations, opt for "братство" for abstract senses and ensure proper declension based on sentence structure. Be aware of cultural nuances: in Russian contexts, it may evoke ideas of national or familial unity rather than university organizations.

• In plural forms, it can emphasize multiple groups, e.g., "братства" for various fraternities.
• Avoid confusing it with "брат" (brother), as "братство" is collective.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse case endings, such as using the nominative "братство" in all contexts. For example:

• Error: "Я думаю о братство" (incorrect genitive usage).
• Correct: "Я думаю о братстве" (proper genitive for "about fraternity").
• Explanation: Russian requires nouns to agree in case with prepositions; here, "о" requires genitive.
• Another common error is translating "fraternity" too literally without context, leading to awkward phrasing like using "брат" instead—e.g., "Error: брат (as a direct substitute)." Correct: Use "братство" for the group sense to avoid implying a single brother.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "братство" often carries deep historical and emotional weight, stemming from themes in literature (e.g., in Tolstoy's works) and revolutionary history, where it symbolizes unity against adversity. Unlike in American culture, where fraternities are tied to college life, in Russia it may reference brotherhood in wartime or national identity, evoking a sense of collective resilience.

Related Concepts:

• сообщество
• союз
• единство