Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'literacy'

English Word: literacy

Key Russian Translations:

• грамотность [ɡrɐˈmotnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal; used in educational and official contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions about education, policy, and social development)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract nouns and basic Russian case systems)

Pronunciation (Russian):

грамотность: [ɡrɐˈmotnəsʲtʲ]

Note on грамотность: The stress falls on the third syllable ("mot"), and the final "tʲ" sound is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pay attention to the rolled 'r' at the beginning.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: The ability to read and write, often in the context of education or societal development.

Translation(s) & Context:

• грамотность - Used in formal settings like educational reports or policy discussions to denote basic literacy skills in Russian-speaking contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В современной России уровень грамотности населения превышает 99%.

  In modern Russia, the literacy rate of the population exceeds 99%.

• Родители должны заботиться о грамотности своих детей с раннего возраста.

  Parents should take care of their children's literacy from an early age.

• Грамотность в цифровых технологиях становится необходимым навыком для молодежи.

  Literacy in digital technologies is becoming an essential skill for young people.

• Правительственные программы по повышению грамотности помогли миллионам людей.

  Government programs to improve literacy have helped millions of people.

• Без базовой грамотности невозможно полноценно участвовать в общественной жизни.

  Without basic literacy, it's impossible to fully participate in public life.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Грамотность is a feminine noun in Russian, belonging to the first declension. It follows standard patterns for feminine nouns ending in -ость, which means it inflects by case and number. There are no irregularities, but learners should note the stress shift in some forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • образованность (obrazovannost' - more broadly means education or erudition, often implying higher literacy)
  • просвещенность (prosveshchennost' - enlightenment, with a connotation of intellectual literacy)
• Antonyms:
  • неграмотность (negramotnost' - illiteracy, directly opposite in meaning)
  • невежество (nevezhestvo - ignorance, implying a lack of knowledge beyond basic literacy)

Related Phrases:

• уровень грамотности (uroven' gramotnosti) - Literacy level; used in statistical or educational contexts to discuss proficiency rates.
• функциональная грамотность (funktsional'naya gramotnost') - Functional literacy; refers to practical application of reading and writing skills in everyday life.
• кампания по ликвидации неграмотности (kampaniya po likvidatsii negramotnosti) - Campaign to eradicate illiteracy; a historical phrase often linked to Soviet-era initiatives.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "грамотность" directly corresponds to "literacy" in English but often emphasizes formal education systems, especially in post-Soviet contexts. It is typically used in formal or academic settings rather than casual conversation. When choosing between synonyms like "образованность," opt for "грамотность" if focusing on basic reading and writing skills. Be mindful of case agreements; for example, it must agree with adjectives or verbs in sentences. English learners should practice with genitive constructions, as in "повышение грамотности" (improvement of literacy).

Common Errors:

• Common Error: Confusing "грамотность" with "образование" (obrazovanie, meaning education in general). Incorrect: "Я изучаю грамотность в школе" (implying literacy as a subject). Correct: "Я изучаю образование в школе" or more precisely, "В школе развивают грамотность." Explanation: "Грамотность" refers specifically to literacy skills, not the broader field of education.

• Common Error: Forgetting case inflections, e.g., using nominative in all contexts. Incorrect: "Я думаю о грамотность" (should be genitive: "Я думаю о грамотности"). Correct: "Я думаю о грамотности." Explanation: Russian requires precise case usage to indicate relationships, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "грамотность" carries historical significance due to the Soviet-era campaigns in the 1920s-1930s to eradicate illiteracy, which dramatically increased literacy rates across the vast Russian Empire. Today, it symbolizes national progress and is often discussed in the context of social equity, reflecting Russia's emphasis on universal education as a cornerstone of societal development.

Related Concepts:

• образование (obrazovanie - education)
• просвещение (prosveshchenie - enlightenment)
• цифровая грамотность (tsifrovaya gramotnost' - digital literacy)