Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lineage'

English Word: lineage

Key Russian Translations:

• родословная [rɐdɐˈslovnəjə] - [Formal, used for family or ancestral lines]
• происхождение [prəɪskɐˈʐdʲenʲɪje] - [Informal, broader context like origins or descent]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in historical, genealogical, or biographical contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and formal vocabulary; for "происхождение", it may vary to A2 if used simply)

Pronunciation (Russian):

родословная: [rɐdɐˈslovnəjə]

происхождение: [prəɪskɐˈʐdʲenʲɪje]

Note on родословная: The stress falls on the third syllable; be cautious with the soft 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A sequence of ancestors or descendants; family line.

Translation(s) & Context:

• родословная - Used in formal or historical contexts, such as genealogy or family history.
• происхождение - Applied in broader contexts, like biological or cultural origins.

Usage Examples:

• Моя родословная восходит к средневековым рыцарям.

  My lineage traces back to medieval knights.

• Изучение происхождения этой семьи раскрывает интересные факты.

  Studying the lineage of this family reveals interesting facts.

• Её родословная включает известных деятелей искусства.

  Her lineage includes famous figures in the arts.

• Происхождение этого клана остаётся загадкой для историков.

  The lineage of this clan remains a mystery to historians.

• В генеалогическом древе видно, как родословная переплетается с другими семьями.

  In the family tree, you can see how the lineage intertwines with other families.

Meaning 2: Descent in a line from a common progenitor; inheritance line.

Translation(s) & Context:

• родословная - Often in legal or inheritance contexts.
• происхождение - Used in scientific or evolutionary discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Эта родословная подтверждает его право на наследство.

  This lineage confirms his right to the inheritance.

• Происхождение вида можно отследить по генетической родословной.

  The lineage of the species can be traced through genetic records.

• В документах описана полная родословная династии.

  The documents describe the full lineage of the dynasty.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "родословная" (a feminine noun), it follows the first declension pattern with regular inflections based on case and number:

For "происхождение" (neuter noun), it is also regular but follows a different pattern with no plural in some contexts:

Both words are invariant in gender but change with case; no irregular forms noted.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • линия (linia) - More literal, for a line or sequence.
  • династия (dinastiya) - Specifically for royal or familial lines; implies power or legacy.
• Antonyms:
  • прерывание (preryvanie) - Interruption or break in lineage.
  • независимость (nezavisimost') - Independence, implying no connection to a lineage.

Related Phrases:

• Семейная родословная - Family lineage; refers to a documented family tree.
• Историческое происхождение - Historical lineage; used in academic or research contexts.
• Генетическая линия - Genetic lineage; common in biology or DNA discussions.

Usage Notes:

• "Родословная" is the most direct equivalent to "lineage" in formal English contexts, especially for genealogy, while "происхождение" is better for origins or evolution. Choose based on specificity: use "родословная" for family trees and "происхождение" for broader concepts.
• It is typically used in written or formal spoken Russian; in casual speech, simpler terms like "корни" (roots) might be preferred.
• Grammatically, always decline these nouns according to Russian case rules to avoid errors in sentence structure.
• In cultural contexts, these words often carry historical weight, so be mindful of the audience when translating.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "родословная" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я из родословная" instead of "Я из родословной семьи". Correct: "Я из родословной семьи" (I am from a lineage family). Explanation: Russian requires genitive case after prepositions like "из".
• Error: Confusing with "происхождение" in familial contexts, e.g., using it for direct family lines when "родословная" is more accurate. Correct: Use "родословная" for genealogy. Explanation: "Происхождение" is broader and may imply non-familial origins, leading to miscommunication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "родословная" often evokes pride in aristocratic or historical roots, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works. It can carry connotations of social status, especially in contexts of the Russian nobility (e.g., during the Tsarist era), making it a symbol of heritage and identity.

Related Concepts:

• династия
• генеалогия
• наследство