Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mace'

English Word: mace

Key Russian Translations:

• булава [buˈlavə] - [Formal, Historical context]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in historical, literary, or specialized contexts, not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding Russian noun declensions and historical vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

булава: [buˈlavə]

Note on булава: The stress falls on the second syllable ("la"). Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects, with a soft "l" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A heavy club-like weapon with a spiked or flanged head, often historical or symbolic.

Translation(s) & Context:

• булава - Used in historical, military, or fantasy contexts to refer to a medieval weapon; common in formal or written Russian.

Usage Examples:

• В музее выставлена старинная булава, которая использовалась в средневековых битвах.

  In the museum, an ancient mace is exhibited, which was used in medieval battles.

• Рыцарь сжимал булаву в руке, готовясь к поединку.

  The knight gripped the mace in his hand, preparing for the duel.

• В фольклоре булава часто символизирует силу и власть правителя.

  In folklore, the mace often symbolizes strength and the authority of a ruler.

• Современные реконструкторы исторических событий изучают, как обращаться с булавой.

  Modern historical reenactors study how to handle a mace.

• Булава была одним из основных оружий в арсенале древних воинов.

  The mace was one of the primary weapons in the arsenal of ancient warriors.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Булава" is a feminine noun (third declension) in Russian, which means it follows standard feminine noun patterns. It is inflected based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table showing its declensions in the singular form (plural is rarely used for this word as it typically refers to a single item).

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declensions are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: дубина (dubina - a simpler club, often less ornate); кистень (kisten' - a flail-like weapon, with subtle differences in design and usage)
• Antonyms: меч (mech - sword, representing a bladed weapon as opposed to a blunt one)

Related Phrases:

• Средневековая булава - Medieval mace (Refers to historical weaponry in discussions of history or fantasy.)
• Булава воеводы - Mace of a warlord (Used in contexts of leadership and military hierarchy.)
• Держать булаву - To hold the mace (Idiomatic for wielding power or authority in symbolic terms.)

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "булава" directly corresponds to the English "mace" in its historical weapon sense, but it carries a more symbolic connotation in Russian culture, often associated with authority figures like tsars or warlords. Use it in formal or written contexts; in casual speech, it might be replaced with simpler terms like "дубина" for a generic club. Be mindful of noun declensions when constructing sentences, as Russian requires agreement in case, number, and gender. When choosing between translations, opt for "булава" if the context is specifically medieval or ceremonial, rather than everyday objects.

Common Errors:

• Common mistake: Incorrectly declining the noun, e.g., saying "с булава" instead of "с булавой" in the instrumental case. Correct usage: "Он боролся с булавой" (He fought with the mace). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree with prepositions and verbs in case; always check the required case for accuracy.

• Another error: Confusing "булава" with "булавка" (a pin or brooch), which sounds similar but means something entirely different. Correct: Use "булава" only for the weapon; for a pin, say "булавка". Explanation: This mix-up often occurs due to phonetic similarity, so context is key in Russian vocabulary.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the "булава" is not just a weapon but a symbol of power and authority, often depicted in folklore and history as an attribute of leaders like Ivan the Terrible or in fairy tales. It represents strength and rulership, similar to a scepter in Western traditions, and is frequently referenced in literature and art to evoke themes of medieval Russia.

Related Concepts:

• меч (sword)
• щит (shield)
• доспехи (armor)