Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'friendship'

English Word: friendship

Key Russian Translations:

• дружба /ˈdruʒ.bə/ - [Formal, Informal; Used in general contexts to describe relationships]

Frequency: High - The concept of friendship is commonly discussed in everyday Russian language, literature, and media.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Involves understanding noun declensions and basic sentence structures; suitable for learners with some familiarity with Russian grammar.

Pronunciation (Russian):

дружба: /ˈdruʒ.bə/

Note on дружба: The stress is on the first syllable. The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure' in English. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The state of being friends or a close relationship based on mutual affection

Translation(s) & Context:

• дружба - Used in both formal and informal settings to refer to interpersonal bonds, such as in friendships, alliances, or social relationships.

Usage Examples:

• Между нами существует крепкая дружба, которая выдержала многие испытания.

  Between us, there exists a strong friendship that has withstood many trials.

• Дружба – это не просто слово, а настоящее чувство, которое нужно ценить.

  Friendship is not just a word, but a genuine feeling that needs to be valued.

• В детстве наша дружба была простой и искренней, без всяких секретов.

  In childhood, our friendship was simple and sincere, without any secrets.

• Настоящая дружба проявляется в трудные моменты, когда нужна поддержка.

  True friendship shows itself in difficult moments when support is needed.

• Дружба между народами способствует миру и взаимопониманию.

  Friendship between nations promotes peace and mutual understanding.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

дружба is a feminine noun (third declension in Russian). It undergoes regular declensions based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

Note: This noun follows standard feminine patterns, with no irregularities in most cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • товарищество - Often used in more formal or group contexts, implying camaraderie.
  • дружеские отношения - A phrase meaning 'friendly relations', emphasizing the relational aspect.
• Antonyms:
  • вражда - Implies enmity or hostility.
  • недружество - Suggests unfriendliness or antagonism.

Related Phrases:

• Настоящая дружба - True friendship; Used to emphasize authenticity in relationships.
• Дружба навек - Friendship forever; A common expression for lifelong bonds.
• Закрепить дружбу - To cement friendship; Refers to strengthening relationships through actions.

Usage Notes:

дружба directly corresponds to the English "friendship" as an abstract noun, but it is often used in contexts emphasizing emotional depth or loyalty, which aligns with Russian cultural values. Be mindful of case endings when using it in sentences; for example, in the genitive case (дружбы), it indicates possession or relation. In formal writing, pair it with adjectives like "крепкая" (strong) for nuance. If multiple translations are available, choose дружба for general purposes, but use товарищество in professional or group settings to avoid sounding overly sentimental.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the nominative form "дружба" in all cases, e.g., "Я думаю о дружба" (incorrect; should be "о дружбе" in prepositional case).
  Correct: "Я думаю о дружбе." - Explanation: Russian requires proper declension; forgetting this can make sentences grammatically incorrect and hard to understand.
• Mistake: Confusing it with "друг" (friend), leading to misuse in phrases, e.g., saying "дружба мой" instead of "мой друг".
  Correct: Use "дружба" for the concept, not for referring to a person. Explanation: "дружба" is abstract, while "друг" is the person; mixing them up alters the meaning entirely.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, дружба holds significant value, often portrayed in literature (e.g., in works by Tolstoy or Pushkin) as a profound, almost sacred bond that transcends hardships. It reflects the historical emphasis on community and loyalty in Russian society, where friends are expected to provide unwavering support, sometimes even at personal cost. This cultural connotation can make the word feel more intense than its English counterpart.

Related Concepts:

• друг (friend)
• товарищ (comrade)
• союз (alliance)