Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'king'

English Word: king

Key Russian Translations:

• король /kɐˈrolʲ/ - [Formal, used in historical, literary, or monarchical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, history, and everyday discussions about royalty)

Difficulty: A1 (beginner level, as it is a basic noun with straightforward usage in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

король: /kɐˈrolʲ/

Note on король: The stress is on the second syllable, and the 'л' is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian nouns. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A male monarch or ruler, often in a historical or fictional context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• король - Used in formal, historical, or literary settings to refer to a king in a monarchy; common in stories, politics, or cultural discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В сказке король жил в большом замке и правил мудро.

  In the fairy tale, the king lived in a big castle and ruled wisely.

• Король Англии посетил Москву в прошлом веке.

  The King of England visited Moscow last century.

• В шахматах король — это самая важная фигура, которую нужно защищать.

  In chess, the king is the most important piece that needs to be protected.

• Король Франции Людовик XIV известен как "Король-Солнце".

  The King of France, Louis XIV, is known as the "Sun King".

• Мой дедушка всегда рассказывал истории о короле Артуре и рыцарях Круглого стола.

  My grandfather always told stories about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word "король" is a masculine noun of the second declension in Russian. It follows regular noun declension patterns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table showing its inflections for singular and plural forms:

Note: This is a regular declension, so it does not have irregularities, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • монарх (monarkh) - More general term for a monarch, often used interchangeably but with a broader scope.
  • правитель (pravitel') - Emphasizes the ruling aspect, suitable for modern or political contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • подданный (poddannyy) - Refers to a subject or citizen under a ruler.
  • узурпатор (uzurpator) - Implies an illegitimate ruler, highlighting opposition to a legitimate king.

Related Phrases:

• король и королева (korol' i koroleva) - Meaning: A royal couple, often used in discussions of monarchy or fairy tales.
• король шахмат (korol' shakhmat) - Meaning: The king in chess, referring to the piece's central role in the game.
• король джунглей (korol' dzhungley) - Meaning: The king of the jungle, a metaphorical phrase for a lion or dominant figure.

Usage Notes:

"Король" directly corresponds to the English "king" in most contexts, but it is primarily used for historical or fictional monarchs in Russian. Be aware of the formal tone; in everyday speech, Russians might opt for more neutral terms like "монарх" for modern leaders. Grammatically, as a masculine noun, it requires masculine agreement in adjectives and verbs (e.g., "хороший король" for "good king"). When choosing between translations, use "король" for specific royal figures and "правитель" for general rulers to avoid anachronisms.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "король" with "царь" (tsar), which is more historical and specific to Russian or Eastern European monarchs. Error example: Using "царь" for a British king. Correct usage: "Король Англии" instead of "Царь Англии". Explanation: "Царь" carries Slavic cultural connotations, so it's inaccurate for non-Russian contexts.
• Improper declension, such as using the nominative "король" in all cases. Error example: "Я думаю о король" (incorrect). Correct usage: "Я думаю о короле" (genitive case). Explanation: Always adjust for case to follow Russian grammar rules.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "король" often evokes images from fairy tales (like those by Pushkin) or historical European monarchies, rather than Russian history, where "царь" is more prevalent. This reflects Russia's imperial past and fascination with Western European royalty, as seen in literature and media, helping learners understand the word's romanticized connotations.

Related Concepts:

• королева (queen)
• принц (prince)
• монархия (monarchy)