Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'kinfolk'

English Word: kinfolk

Key Russian Translations:

• Родственники [rɐdˈstvʲɪnʲɪkʲɪ] - [Plural, Formal/Informal]
• Семья [sʲɪˈmʲja] - [Informal, when referring to immediate family]
• Близкие [ˈblʲizkʲɪje] - [Informal, for close relatives]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are commonly used in everyday conversations about family and social relationships, but not as frequent as basic nouns like "дом" (house).

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1) - Involves understanding plural forms and basic noun declensions; "Родственники" may be slightly more challenging due to its consonant clusters, while "Семья" is easier for beginners.

Pronunciation (Russian):

Родственники: [rɐdˈstvʲɪnʲɪkʲɪ]

Семья: [sʲɪˈmʲja]

Близкие: [ˈblʲizkʲɪje]

Note on Родственники: The stress is on the second syllable, and the 'stv' cluster can be tricky for English speakers due to the lack of a direct equivalent; practice with soft consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Relatives or family members by blood or marriage, often implying a broader network beyond immediate family.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Родственники - Used in formal or general contexts, such as family gatherings or legal discussions about inheritance.
• Семья - More casual, when referring to kinfolk in everyday family settings, like holidays.
• Близкие - Informal for close kinfolk, such as in emotional or personal conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Мои родственники собираются на праздник. (My kinfolk are gathering for the holiday.)

  English Translation: My kinfolk are gathering for the holiday. (This example shows "родственники" in a plural, nominative context for family events.)

• Я еду к семье в деревню на выходные. (I'm going to my kinfolk in the village for the weekend.)

  English Translation: I'm going to my kinfolk in the village for the weekend. (Here, "семья" is used informally to imply extended family in a rural setting.)

• Близкие люди всегда поддерживают меня. (My close kinfolk always support me.)

  English Translation: My close kinfolk always support me. (This demonstrates "близкие" in an emotional, supportive context, highlighting interpersonal relationships.)

• В нашей культуре важно чтить родственников предков. (In our culture, it's important to honor kinfolk of ancestors.)

  English Translation: In our culture, it's important to honor kinfolk of ancestors. (This usage of "родственники" shows it in a cultural or historical context, with genitive case.)

• Семья и близкие - это основа моей жизни. (Kinfolk and close relatives are the foundation of my life.)

  English Translation: Kinfolk and close relatives are the foundation of my life. (This sentence combines translations to illustrate variety in a reflective, personal statement.)

Meaning: Informal reference to a group of relatives, often in storytelling or casual narratives.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Близкие - Best for intimate or emotional contexts, like sharing personal stories.

Usage Examples:

• Расскажи о своих близких на семейном ужине. (Tell about your kinfolk at the family dinner.)

  English Translation: Tell about your kinfolk at the family dinner. (This example uses "близкие" in a directive sentence, emphasizing emotional bonds.)

• Мои родственники из другого города приедут. (My kinfolk from another city will come.)

  English Translation: My kinfolk from another city will come. (Shows "родственники" with locative implications.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Родственники" is a plural masculine noun that follows the standard first declension pattern for Russian nouns. It changes based on case, number, and gender. "Семья" is a feminine noun with its own declension, and "Близкие" is an adjective-derived noun that agrees in case and number.

Note: "Близкие" as an adjective can inflect based on the context, making it more flexible but requiring agreement with the noun it modifies.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Семейство - More formal, often used in literary contexts for a group of kinfolk.
  • Родня - Informal variant, similar to "kinfolk" but with a folksy connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • Враги (enemies) - Used when contrasting with non-relatives in adversarial contexts.
  • Чужие (strangers) - For people outside one's kinfolk circle.

Related Phrases:

• Ближние родственники - Close kinfolk; used to specify immediate family members in formal discussions.
• Расширенная семья - Extended kinfolk; refers to a broader network beyond nuclear family.
• Семейные узы - Family ties or bonds among kinfolk; an idiomatic expression emphasizing emotional connections.

Usage Notes:

"Kinfolk" translates most directly to "родственники" in Russian, but choose based on context: use "семья" for immediate, everyday family references, and "близкие" for emotional or intimate settings. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical gender and case systems; for example, "родственники" must agree in case when used in sentences. In formal writing, opt for "родственники" over more casual options. English speakers often confuse this with "friends," but Russian culture emphasizes blood relations more strongly.

• Avoid using "близкие" in professional contexts, as it implies emotional closeness.
• When discussing "kinfolk" in historical or legal scenarios, "родственники" is the safest choice.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse the case endings, such as saying "к родственники" instead of the correct genitive "к родственникам" (to the kinfolk). Incorrect: "Я иду к родственники" (wrong case). Correct: "Я иду к родственникам" – This error stems from not declining nouns properly, leading to grammatical awkwardness. Another common mistake is confusing "семья" with "родственники," using "семья" for distant relatives; instead, reserve "семья" for core family units to maintain accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, kinfolk hold significant importance, often tied to traditions like family gatherings during holidays (e.g., New Year's or Orthodox Easter). The concept of "родственники" can extend to distant relatives, reflecting a collectivist society where maintaining family ties is a core value, sometimes influencing social and economic decisions.

Related Concepts:

• Друзья (friends)
• Соседи (neighbors)
• Поколения (generations)