Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'insurrection'

English Word: insurrection

Key Russian Translations:

• восстание [vɐsˈstanʲɪje] - [Formal, Historical/Political]
• бунт [bunt] - [Informal, Everyday contexts for smaller uprisings]

Frequency: Medium (Common in historical, political, or news discussions but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian political vocabulary and noun inflections)

Pronunciation (Russian):

восстание: [vɐsˈstanʲɪje]

Note on восстание: The stress is on the third syllable; the 'c' sound is soft, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

бунт: [bunt]

Note on бунт: A straightforward pronunciation; the 'u' is like the 'oo' in 'book'. No major variations.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A violent uprising or rebellion against authority, often organized and armed.

Translation(s) & Context:

• восстание - Used in formal, historical, or political contexts, such as revolutions or large-scale rebellions.
• бунт - Applied to smaller, less organized uprisings, often in informal or social settings.

Usage Examples:

• В 1917 году произошло Великое Октябрьское восстание, которое изменило историю России.

  In 1917, the Great October Insurrection occurred, which changed Russian history.

• Бунт рабочих в фабрике был подавлен полицией за считанные часы.

  The workers' insurrection at the factory was suppressed by the police within hours.

• Восстание в колонии было спровоцировано несправедливыми условиями труда.

  The insurrection in the colony was provoked by unfair working conditions.

• Молодёжный бунт против правительства проявился в уличных протестах.

  The youth's insurrection against the government manifested in street protests.

• Вооружённое восстание могло бы привести к гражданской войне, если бы не вмешательство армии.

  An armed insurrection could have led to a civil war if not for the army's intervention.

Secondary Meaning: Any act of defiance or revolt, not necessarily violent.

Translation(s) & Context:

• восстание - In metaphorical contexts, such as intellectual or cultural rebellions.

Usage Examples:

• Это восстание идей против традиций искусства стало поворотным моментом в модернизме.

  This insurrection of ideas against traditional art became a turning point in modernism.

• Бунт в обществе часто начинается с простых разговоров о неравенстве.

  Insurrection in society often starts with simple discussions about inequality.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. "Восстание" is a neuter noun of the third declension, which follows regular patterns for most cases. "Бунт" is a masculine noun of the second declension and is indeclinable in some forms.

Note: "Бунт" has no irregular forms, making it simpler for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мятеж (myatezh) - Similar to бунт but often implies more organization; used in military contexts.
  • революция (revolyutsiya) - Broader term for a full-scale overthrow, with more ideological connotations.
• Antonyms:
  • порядок (poryadok) - Refers to order or stability.
  • послушание (poslushanie) - Means obedience or compliance.

Related Phrases:

• Вооружённое восстание - Armed insurrection; used in contexts of military rebellions.
• Народный бунт - Popular uprising; refers to mass protests driven by public discontent.
• Подавить восстание - To suppress an insurrection; a common phrase in historical narratives.

Usage Notes:

"Восстание" is the most direct and formal equivalent to "insurrection" in Russian, often used in historical or official contexts, while "бунт" is less formal and suits everyday or spontaneous events. Choose "восстание" for organized, large-scale rebellions and "бунт" for smaller-scale ones. Be mindful of grammatical gender and case agreements in sentences. For example, in political discussions, pair it with verbs like "организовать" (to organize) to convey intent.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "восстание" with "революция": Learners might overuse "революция" for any uprising, but it's broader and implies systemic change. Error: "Это был революция рабочих" (incorrect). Correct: "Это был бунт рабочих" or "восстание рабочих" depending on scale. Explanation: "Революция" suggests a full transformation, while "восстание" focuses on the act of rebellion.

• Incorrect inflection: Forgetting to change cases, e.g., using nominative in all contexts. Error: "Мы говорили о восстание" (should be "о восстании"). Correct: "Мы говорили о восстании". Explanation: Russian requires case agreement with prepositions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "восстание" are deeply tied to historical events such as the Decembrist Uprising (1825) and the October Revolution (1917). These words often carry connotations of national struggle and anti-authoritarian sentiment, reflecting Russia's turbulent history with tsarist and Soviet regimes. Understanding this context helps English speakers grasp the emotional weight behind the vocabulary.

Related Concepts:

• революция
• протест
• мятеж