Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'infantry'

English Word: infantry

Key Russian Translations:

• пехота [pʲɪˈxotə] - [Formal, Military context]

Frequency: Medium (Common in military, historical, or news contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires basic knowledge of Russian nouns and military vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пехота: [pʲɪˈxotə]

Note on пехота: The initial 'п' is unaspirated, and the 'х' is a voiceless velar fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; stress falls on the second syllable. Variations may occur in regional accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Military foot soldiers or units

Translation(s) & Context:

• пехота - Used in formal military discussions, historical texts, or news reports to refer to ground troops on foot, as opposed to mechanized or armored units.

Usage Examples:

• В ходе битвы пехота сыграла ключевую роль в захвате позиций.

  In the battle, the infantry played a key role in capturing positions.

• Современная пехота оснащена легким вооружением и средствами защиты.

  Modern infantry is equipped with lightweight weapons and protective gear.

• Пехота обычно действует в координации с танковыми подразделениями.

  Infantry typically operates in coordination with tank units.

• Во время манёвров пехота отрабатывала тактические перемещения.

  During maneuvers, the infantry practiced tactical movements.

• История русской пехоты восходит к временам Петра Великого.

  The history of Russian infantry dates back to the times of Peter the Great.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Пехота" is a feminine noun in Russian, belonging to the first declension. It follows regular inflection patterns for nouns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The plural forms are less commonly used but appear in contexts referring to multiple infantry units. There are no irregular inflections for this word.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пехотинцы (pekhointsy) - Refers specifically to infantry soldiers; more precise for individuals.
  • солдаты (soldaty) - General term for soldiers; less specific to foot troops.
• Antonyms:
  • кавалерия (kavaleriya) - Cavalry, referring to mounted troops.
  • танковые войска (tankovye voyska) - Armored forces, for mechanized units.

Related Phrases:

• Моторизованная пехота - Mechanized infantry; refers to troops transported by vehicles for rapid deployment.
• Десантная пехота - Airborne infantry; used for paratroopers or rapid assault forces.
• Легкая пехота - Light infantry; implies units with minimal heavy equipment for agility.

Usage Notes:

"Пехота" directly corresponds to the English "infantry" in military contexts and is typically used in formal or professional settings. It is a collective noun, so it often appears in singular form even when referring to groups. Be mindful of case agreement in Russian sentences; for example, it changes to "пехоты" in genitive constructions. When choosing between translations like "пехотинцы" (for individuals) and "пехота" (for units), opt for the latter in broader discussions. This word is neutral in tone but may carry historical connotations in Russian culture.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "пехота" with "кавалерия": English learners might mistakenly use "пехота" for any military unit, but it's specific to foot soldiers. Incorrect: "Кавалерийские пехота" (wrong mix). Correct: "Пехота и кавалерия действуют совместно." Explanation: Always distinguish based on troop type to avoid semantic errors.

• Improper inflection: Forgetting case changes, e.g., using "пехота" in genitive where "пехоты" is needed. Incorrect: "Бой пехота" (should be "Бой пехоты"). Correct: "Бой пехоты был ожесточенным." Explanation: Pay attention to Russian case system for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "пехота" evokes significant historical imagery, particularly from events like the Napoleonic Wars, World War II, and the Soviet era. It symbolizes resilience and the "foot soldier" ethos in Russian military tradition, often glorified in literature and films such as those about the Great Patriotic War, highlighting the role of infantry in defending the motherland.

Related Concepts:

• армия (armiya) - Army
• войска (voyska) - Troops
• батальон (batal'on) - Battalion