Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mankind'

English Word: mankind

Key Russian Translations:

• человечество [tɕɪlɐˈvʲetɕɪstvə] - [Formal, used in philosophical or academic contexts]
• люди [ˈlʲudʲɪ] - [Informal, Plural, often used in everyday conversation but less precise for 'mankind' as a collective concept]

Frequency: Medium - 'человечество' is commonly encountered in literature, news, and formal discussions, but not in casual daily speech.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for 'человечество' - Requires understanding of abstract concepts; for 'люди', it is A2 (Beginner) as it is a basic noun.

Pronunciation (Russian):

человечество: [tɕɪlɐˈvʲetɕɪstvə]

люди: [ˈlʲudʲɪ]

Note on человечество: The stress is on the third syllable ('ve-'), and the 'ч' sound is a voiceless alveolo-palatal affricate, which may be challenging for English speakers similar to the 'ch' in 'church' but softer. Variations in pronunciation can occur based on regional accents in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: The human race or humanity as a whole, often implying collective existence, progress, or society.

Translation(s) & Context:

• человечество - Used in formal, philosophical, or scientific contexts to refer to humanity's shared history and future; avoids plural connotations.
• люди - Applied in more general or informal settings, such as social discussions, but may not capture the abstract, unified sense of 'mankind'.

Usage Examples:

• Человечество всегда сталкивается с новыми вызовами, но оно продолжает эволюционировать.

  Mankind always faces new challenges, but it continues to evolve.

• В истории человечества есть моменты, которые изменили весь мир.

  In the history of mankind, there are moments that changed the entire world.

• Люди должны работать вместе, чтобы защитить планету для будущего человечества.

  People must work together to protect the planet for the future of mankind.

• Человечество достигло больших успехов в науке и технологиях за последние века.

  Mankind has achieved great successes in science and technology over the last centuries.

• Хотя люди часто конфликтуют, человечество в целом стремится к миру.

  Although people often conflict, mankind as a whole strives for peace.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Человечество' is a neuter noun in Russian, which does not change in the nominative singular form but follows standard declension patterns for other cases. It is an abstract noun and remains relatively stable. 'Люди' is a plural noun with irregular declension due to its root.

Note: 'Человечество' does not have a plural form as it represents a collective concept, making it invariant in number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • род человеческий - More archaic, emphasizing human lineage.
  • человеческий род - Similar to 'human race', used in historical contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • животные - Refers to animals, contrasting with human society.
  • природа - In some contexts, meaning 'nature' as non-human elements.

Related Phrases:

• история человечества - The history of mankind; used in educational or narrative contexts.
• будущее человечества - The future of mankind; common in discussions about technology and ethics.
• прогресс человечества - The progress of mankind; often in motivational or scientific writing.

Usage Notes:

Use 'человечество' for a formal, collective reference to 'mankind' in Russian, as it mirrors the English term's abstract quality and is preferred in essays or speeches. In contrast, 'люди' is more versatile for everyday use but may imply individuals rather than a unified entity. Be mindful of context: in philosophical texts, 'человечество' aligns closely with English, while in casual speech, it might sound overly formal. Grammar note: Always use the appropriate case based on sentence structure, e.g., genitive for possession. When choosing between translations, opt for 'человечество' if the focus is on humanity's shared destiny.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing 'человечество' with 'человек' (meaning 'person' or 'human'), leading to incorrect singular usage. Incorrect: Человек всегда эволюционирует (implies one person, not mankind). Correct: Человечество всегда эволюционирует. Explanation: 'Человечество' is collective and should not be replaced with 'человек' for plural or abstract meanings.
• Mistake: Overusing 'люди' in formal contexts, which can make the sentence less precise. Incorrect: Люди в истории (vague for 'mankind in history'). Correct: Человечество в истории. Explanation: 'Люди' works for groups of people but dilutes the grand scale of 'mankind'.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'человечество' often carries a deep philosophical connotation, influenced by thinkers like Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, who explored humanity's moral struggles. It reflects a historical emphasis on collective identity in Russian literature, where mankind's fate is tied to themes of suffering, redemption, and societal progress, differing from individualistic Western views.

Related Concepts:

• общество
• цивилизация
• эволюция