Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'garrison'

English Word: garrison

Key Russian Translations:

• гарнизон [ɡɐrˈnʲizɐn] - [Formal, Military context]

Frequency: Medium (Common in military, historical, or formal discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves specialized vocabulary; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and military terminology)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гарнизон: [ɡɐrˈnʲizɐn]

Note on гарнизон: The stress falls on the third syllable ('nʲizɐn'). Pay attention to the palatalized 'n' sound, which is common in Russian and can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel length.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A military force stationed in a fortified place or town for defense

Translation(s) & Context:

• гарнизон - Used in formal or military contexts to refer to troops stationed for protection, often in historical or strategic discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В городе был размещен гарнизон для защиты от вражеских атак.

  In the city, a garrison was stationed to defend against enemy attacks.

• Гарнизон солдаты всегда готовы к внезапным маневрам.

  Garrison soldiers are always ready for sudden maneuvers.

• Во время войны гарнизон крепости сыграл ключевую роль в обороне.

  During the war, the garrison of the fortress played a key role in defense.

• Местный гарнизон включает в себя пехоту и артиллерию.

  The local garrison includes infantry and artillery.

• После победы гарнизон был награжден за героизм.

  After the victory, the garrison was awarded for heroism.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Гарнизон is a masculine noun of the second declension in Russian. It follows regular patterns for most cases but requires attention to its endings. Below is a table of its declensions:

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • войска (voyska) - Troops; more general and can imply mobile forces.
  • кадетский корпус (kadetskiy korpus) - Cadet corps; used in educational or historical military contexts, with a slight connotation of training.
• Antonyms:
  • нападающие силы (napadayushchiye sily) - Attacking forces; implies offensive rather than defensive roles.

Related Phrases:

• военный гарнизон (voennyy garnizon) - Military garrison; refers specifically to armed forces in a defensive position; used in strategic or historical contexts.
• гарнизонная служба (garnizonnaya sluzhba) - Garrison duty; describes the routine tasks of stationed troops; common in military discussions.
• укрепленный гарнизон (ukreplennyy garnizon) - Fortified garrison; emphasizes defenses; often used in narratives about sieges or fortifications.

Usage Notes:

Гарнизон directly corresponds to the English "garrison" in military contexts, but it's primarily used in formal, written, or historical Russian. Avoid using it in casual conversations; opt for simpler terms like "войска" for everyday references. When translating, ensure the context specifies defense or stationing, as Russian nouns must agree in case, number, and gender with surrounding words. For example, if "garrison" is the subject, use the nominative case. If there are multiple possible translations, choose "гарнизон" for precise military scenarios but "войска" for broader troop references.

Common Errors:

• Confusing declensions: English learners often forget to change the ending, e.g., saying "в гарнизон" instead of "в гарнизоне" (in the garrison). Correct: Use the prepositional case for locations. Error example: "Я иду гарнизон" (incorrect); Correct: "Я иду в гарнизон" with proper context, but more accurately "Я иду в гарнизоне" for being inside it.

• Mispronouncing the palatalized 'n': Saying [ɡɐrˈnɪzɐn] instead of [ɡɐrˈnʲizɐn], which can make it sound less natural. Explanation: The 'nʲ' is a soft sound; practice with native audio to avoid this common phonetic error.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, "гарнизон" often evokes memories of wartime defenses, such as those during World War II or the Soviet era, where garrisons played crucial roles in protecting key cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg. It carries a sense of resilience and strategic importance, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on military fortification against invasions.

Related Concepts:

• армия (armiya)
• войска (voyska)
• крепость (krepost')