Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'karate'

English Word: karate

Key Russian Translations:

• карате [kɐˈratʲɪ] - [Neutral, used in general contexts for the martial art]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions about sports, fitness, or martial arts, but not everyday vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it is a loanword from Japanese via English; suitable for learners with basic familiarity with Russian nouns and borrowings)

Pronunciation (Russian):

карате: [kɐˈratʲɪ] (The stress is on the second syllable; the 'р' is rolled, and the final 'е' is pronounced as a soft 'e' sound.)

Note on карате: Be mindful of the soft 'тʲ' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalization; it sounds softer than in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A martial art originating from Japan, involving striking and defensive techniques.

Translation(s) & Context:

• карате - Used in sports, educational, or recreational contexts, such as describing training or competitions; common in formal and informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Я занимаюсь карате уже три года. (Ya zanimaus' karatye uzhe tri goda.)

  I have been practicing karate for three years. (This example shows the verb 'заниматься' in the present tense, indicating ongoing activity in a personal context.)

• В школе есть секция по карате для детей. (V shkole yest' seksiya po karatye dlya detey.)

  There's a karate section at school for children. (Illustrates use in an educational or community setting, with 'секция' meaning a club or group.)

• Карате помогает развивать дисциплину и силу. (Karatye pomogayet razvivat' distsiplinuv i silu.)

  Karate helps develop discipline and strength. (This demonstrates the noun in a broader life-skills context, paired with verbs like 'помогает'.)

• На соревнованиях по карате он выиграл золотую медаль. (Na sorevnovaniyakh po karatye on vyigral zolotuyu medal'.)

  He won a gold medal at the karate competitions. (Shows usage in competitive scenarios, with prepositional phrases like 'по карате'.)

• Мой друг учит карате в местном клубе. (Moy drug uchit karatye v mestnom klube.)

  My friend is learning karate at the local club. (Highlights informal learning contexts, using the verb 'учить' in the present tense.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Карате" is a neuter noun (ср. род) and follows the standard declension pattern for Russian nouns ending in -е. It is often treated as an indeclinable noun in modern usage, especially as a foreign borrowing, meaning it does not change in most cases. However, in formal or traditional contexts, it can inflect like other neuter nouns.

Note: As an indeclinable noun, it remains invariant in most everyday speech, which simplifies its use for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: дзюдо (judo) - Often used interchangeably in martial arts contexts, but дзюдо emphasizes throws; самбо (sambo) - A Russian martial art similar in physicality.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as "карате" is a specific activity; however, in a broad sense, something like отдых (rest) could contrast with its physical nature.

Related Phrases:

• заниматься карате (zanimaus' karatye) - To practice karate; used for describing regular training or hobby.
• школа карате (shkola karatye) - Karate school; refers to an institution or class for learning the art.
• чемпион по карате (chempion po karatye) - Karate champion; a phrase for someone who excels in competitions.

Usage Notes:

"Карате" directly corresponds to the English word as a loanword, making it straightforward for learners. It is typically used in neutral or formal contexts related to sports and is gender-neutral as a neuter noun. When discussing participation, pair it with verbs like 'заниматься' for ongoing activities. Be cautious with prepositions; for example, 'по карате' specifies the type of event. If multiple martial arts are compared, choose based on context—'карате' for striking techniques versus 'дзюдо' for grappling.

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing the word as [ˈkærəti] (like the English version). Correct: [kɐˈratʲɪ]. Explanation: English speakers often forget the Russian stress and palatalization; practice with native audio to emphasize the second syllable.

• Error: Treating it as a masculine noun and using incorrect agreements, e.g., saying "этот карате" instead of "это карате". Correct: Use neuter agreements like "это карате". Explanation: As a neuter noun, it requires adjectives and pronouns to match in gender, which can confuse learners from languages without grammatical gender.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, "карате" is popular as a recreational sport and self-defense practice, influenced by Japanese origins but adapted to Russian culture. It gained prominence during the Soviet era as part of physical education programs, symbolizing discipline and national fitness initiatives. Today, it often appears in media and youth activities, reflecting a blend of Eastern martial traditions with Russian sporting heritage.

Related Concepts:

• дзюдо (judo)
• самбо (sambo)
• тайский бокс (Muay Thai)