Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'geopolitics'

English Word: geopolitics

Key Russian Translations:

• геополитика /ɡʲɪ.ɐ.pɐ.lʲɪ.'tʲi.kə/ - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (Common in academic, political, and international discussions, but not in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; requires familiarity with political terminology and Russian noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

геополитика: /ɡʲɪ.ɐ.pɐ.lʲɪ.'tʲi.kə/

Note on геополитика: The word features a soft 'г' sound (/ɡʲ/) and stress on the fourth syllable ('tʲi), which can be challenging for beginners. It is a borrowed term from English/Greek roots.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The study of the effects of geography (such as location, resources, and borders) on politics and international relations.

Translation(s) & Context:

• геополитика - Used in formal academic, diplomatic, or media contexts to discuss global power dynamics and strategic interests.

Usage Examples:

• В современном мире геополитика играет ключевую роль в международных отношениях.

  In the modern world, geopolitics plays a key role in international relations.

• Геополитика России определяет её внешнюю политику в отношении соседних государств.

  Russia's geopolitics determines its foreign policy towards neighboring states.

• Изменения в глобальной геополитике влияют на экономическое развитие стран.

  Changes in global geopolitics affect the economic development of countries.

• Студенты изучают геополитику, чтобы понять конфликты в регионе Ближнего Востока.

  Students study geopolitics to understand conflicts in the Middle East region.

• Геополитика часто учитывает факторы, такие как природные ресурсы и стратегическое положение.

  Geopolitics often considers factors such as natural resources and strategic location.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Геополитика" is a feminine noun in the first declension (from Greek roots, borrowed into Russian). It follows standard Russian noun declension patterns for feminine nouns ending in -а. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: As a modern borrowed term, it does not have irregular forms, but always declines based on context (e.g., in plural for multiple geopolitical issues).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • международная политика (international politics) - Focuses more on diplomatic interactions.
  • глобальная стратегия (global strategy) - Emphasizes planning over geographical factors.
• Antonyms:
  • локальная политика (local politics) - Refers to domestic or regional issues without global scope.

Related Phrases:

• геополитическая стратегия - A strategy based on geopolitical considerations; used in military or policy planning.
• глобальная геополитика - Global geopolitics; refers to worldwide interactions and power balances.
• геополитические риски - Geopolitical risks; common in business contexts to denote threats from international tensions.

Usage Notes:

"Геополитика" directly corresponds to the English term "geopolitics" and is used in formal settings like academia, journalism, or diplomacy. It is typically a singular feminine noun and should be declined according to Russian case requirements. For English speakers, note that Russian discussions often integrate historical and cultural contexts, so pair it with terms like "внешняя политика" (foreign policy) for broader conversations. When choosing translations, use "геополитика" for precise matches; avoid casual synonyms in formal writing.

• In spoken Russian, it's common in debates or lectures, but less so in everyday talk.
• Grammar note: Always use the appropriate case, e.g., instrumental for means ("с помощью геополитики").

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "геополитика" with "политика" (politics) alone, omitting the geo- aspect. For example:

• Error: Saying "Россия фокусируется на политике" (implying general politics) instead of "Россия фокусируется на геополитике" (to specify geographical influences).
• Correct: "Россия фокусируется на геополитике для защиты своих границ." (Russia focuses on geopolitics to protect its borders.)
• Explanation: The prefix "гео-" is crucial; without it, the meaning shifts to broader political activities. Another error is incorrect declension, e.g., using nominative in all cases—always adjust for context to avoid grammatical awkwardness.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, "геополитика" often carries connotations of Russia's vast geography and its role in global affairs, influenced by thinkers like Halford Mackinder or Soviet-era strategists. It reflects Russia's historical emphasis on territorial integrity and resource control, such as in the context of the Eurasian landmass, making it a sensitive topic in discussions of NATO or regional conflicts.

Related Concepts:

• дипломатия (diplomacy)
• экономика (economics)
• международные отношения (international relations)