Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'independence'

English Word: independence

Key Russian Translations:

• независимость /nʲɪzɐˈvʲizʲiməsʲtʲ/ - [Formal, used in political, legal, and general contexts]
• самостоятельность /səməstɐˈjɑtʲilʲnəsʲtʲ/ - [Informal or everyday contexts, implying self-reliance rather than political autonomy]

Frequency: High (commonly used in news, politics, and daily discussions in Russian-speaking regions).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, per CEFR; involves understanding abstract concepts and nominal inflections. For 'независимость', B2; for 'самостоятельность', B1 due to its broader everyday application).

Pronunciation (Russian):

независимость: /nʲɪzɐˈvʲizʲiməsʲtʲ/

самостоятельность: /səməstɐˈjɑtʲilʲnəsʲtʲ/

Note on независимость: The stress is on the fourth syllable ('vi-zim'), which can be tricky for learners due to the soft consonants; pronounce with a clear palatalized 'z' sound. Variations may occur in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The state of being independent, free from external control (e.g., political or personal autonomy)

Translation(s) & Context:

• независимость - Used in formal contexts like international relations, history, or declarations of sovereignty.
• самостоятельность - Applied in informal or educational settings, emphasizing personal initiative or independence in daily life.

Usage Examples:

• Россия обрела независимость после распада Советского Союза в 1991 году.

  Russia gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

• Молодые люди стремятся к самостоятельности, чтобы жить без родительской опеки.

  Young people strive for independence to live without parental supervision.

• Независимость страны является ключевым принципом международного права.

  The independence of a country is a key principle of international law.

• В бизнесе самостоятельность позволяет предпринимателям принимать решения без внешнего вмешательства.

  In business, independence allows entrepreneurs to make decisions without external interference.

• Борьба за независимость часто приводит к социальным изменениям и реформам.

  The fight for independence often leads to social changes and reforms.

Freedom from dependence in personal or economic matters

Translation(s) & Context:

• независимость - In economic contexts, such as financial autonomy.
• самостоятельность - In personal development, like self-sufficiency.

Usage Examples:

• Финансовая независимость — это цель многих людей в современном мире.

  Financial independence is a goal for many people in the modern world.

• Дети учатся самостоятельности через выполнение домашних заданий без помощи.

  Children learn independence by completing homework without assistance.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'независимость' and 'самостоятельность' are feminine nouns (3rd declension in Russian). They follow standard nominal inflections for case, number, and gender. 'независимость' is invariable in plural forms in most contexts but can inflect regularly.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular inflections, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • автономия (avtonomiya) - More specific to regional or administrative independence.
  • свобода (svoboda) - Emphasizes freedom, often interchangeable in broader contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • зависимость (zavisimost') - Direct opposite, implying reliance or subordination.
  • подчинение (podchinenie) - Suggests submission or control.

Related Phrases:

• борьба за независимость (bor'ba za nezavisimost') - Fight for independence; used in historical or revolutionary contexts.
• полная самостоятельность (polnaya samostoyatel'nost') - Full independence; implies complete self-reliance in personal or professional settings.
• декларация независимости (deklaratsiya nezavisimosti) - Declaration of independence; a formal document, as in national contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Независимость' is the most precise translation for 'independence' in political or national contexts, aligning closely with English usage in international law. 'Самостоятельность' is better for everyday or personal scenarios, where it conveys self-reliance without the formal connotations. Be mindful of context: in formal writing, use 'независимость' with appropriate case inflections (e.g., genitive for possession). When choosing between translations, consider the audience—'самостоятельность' is more accessible in conversational Russian. Grammatically, these nouns require agreement in gender and number with adjectives or verbs.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'независимость' with 'самостоятельность': Learners might overuse 'независимость' in personal contexts, e.g., saying "Я хочу независимость" instead of "Я хочу самостоятельность" for "I want independence" in daily life. Correct: Use 'самостоятельность' for personal matters to avoid sounding overly formal. Error example: "Мой независимость" (incorrect inflection); Correct: "Моя независимость" (with proper possessive agreement).

• Incorrect inflection: Forgetting case changes, e.g., using nominative 'независимость' in a genitive context like "борьба за независимость" (which is correct, but errors like 'борьба за независимост' occur). Explanation: Always check the sentence structure; Russian requires precise case usage for clarity.

Cultural Notes:

'Независимость' holds significant cultural weight in Russian-speaking countries, often linked to historical events like the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, which led to the independence of Russia and other former republics. It symbolizes national pride and resilience, frequently appearing in discussions of sovereignty and identity, reflecting Russia's complex history with imperialism and autonomy.

Related Concepts:

• свобода (svoboda)
• автономия (avtonomiya)
• суверенитет (suverenitet)