Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'marriage'

English Word: marriage

Key Russian Translations:

• брак [brak] - [Formal, General use]
• бракосочетание [brəkəsəʧɪˈtənʲɪjə] - [Formal, Legal or ceremonial context, Used in official documents or weddings]

Frequency: High (Common in everyday conversations, legal contexts, and literature in Russian-speaking countries).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "брак"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "бракосочетание" due to more complex vocabulary and contexts.

Pronunciation (Russian):

брак: [brak] (The 'р' is a rolled 'r', and the stress is on the first syllable; common in standard Russian pronunciation).

бракосочетание: [brəkəsəʧɪˈtənʲɪjə] (Note on бракосочетание: Pay attention to the soft sign 'ь' which affects the preceding consonant, making it palatalized; this word has a stress on the fourth syllable, which can be tricky for beginners.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The state or institution of being married (e.g., a legal or social union between partners).

Translation(s) & Context:

• "брак" - Used in general discussions about marital status, family law, or societal norms (e.g., in formal writing or conversations about relationships).
• "бракосочетание" - Applied in contexts involving the formal act of getting married, such as ceremonies or legal registrations (e.g., in official documents).

Usage Examples:

• Мой брак с супругой продлился более 20 лет.

  My marriage to my spouse lasted more than 20 years. (This example shows "брак" in a personal, reflective context, discussing duration.)

• В России брак можно зарегистрировать в ЗАГСе.

  In Russia, a marriage can be registered at the civil registry office. (Here, "брак" is used in a legal and administrative setting, highlighting institutional aspects.)

• После бракосочетания мы отправились в медовый месяц.

  After the marriage ceremony, we went on our honeymoon. (This demonstrates "бракосочетание" in a ceremonial context, often paired with traditions.)

• Брак в нашей культуре считается священным союзом.

  Marriage in our culture is considered a sacred union. (This example illustrates "брак" in a cultural or philosophical discussion, showing its broader societal role.)

• Они решили оформить бракосочетание в церкви.

  They decided to hold the marriage ceremony in a church. (This uses "бракосочетание" to specify a religious or formal event, contrasting with civil options.)

Meaning 2: The act or ceremony of getting married (e.g., the wedding event itself).

Translation(s) & Context:

• "бракосочетание" - Primarily used for the formal procedure, often in legal or traditional settings (e.g., weddings in Russia).
• "брак" - Sometimes extended to include the event, but less commonly than "свадьба" for celebrations.

Usage Examples:

• Бракосочетание прошло в старом соборе.

  The marriage ceremony took place in an old cathedral. (This highlights "бракосочетание" in a historical or religious context.)

• Для нас брак стал началом новой жизни вместе.

  For us, marriage became the start of a new life together. (This uses "брак" to emphasize the transition into married life.)

• Во время бракосочетания они обменялись кольцами.

  During the marriage ceremony, they exchanged rings. (This example focuses on rituals associated with "бракосочетание".)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Брак" is a masculine noun in Russian, which follows the standard second declension pattern. It has regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

For "бракосочетание", it is a neuter noun with regular inflections, but it is less commonly inflected due to its length and formal use. Example: Nominative singular - бракосочетание; Genitive singular - бракосочетания. It does not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • союз (soyuz) - More neutral, often used for alliances or unions, with a connotation of partnership.
  • семейный союз (semeynyy soyuz) - Emphasizes the family aspect, suitable in familial contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • развод (razvod) - Directly opposite, meaning divorce, used in legal or personal separation contexts.
  • одиночество (odinočestvo) - Implies singledom or loneliness, contrasting with the partnered state of marriage.

Related Phrases:

• Заключить брак - To enter into marriage (Used in legal contexts to mean formalizing a union).
• Брачный контракт - Marriage contract (Refers to a prenuptial agreement, common in modern relationships).
• Семейный брак - Family marriage (Implies a marriage within a family-oriented framework, with cultural emphasis on stability).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "брак" directly corresponds to the English "marriage" as a state or institution, but it can also mean "defect" in other contexts (e.g., manufacturing), so context is key to avoid confusion. "Бракосочетание" is more precise for the ceremonial act. Use "брак" in everyday or formal discussions, but opt for "бракосочетание" in legal scenarios. Grammatically, these nouns require appropriate case agreement with prepositions (e.g., в браке - in marriage). For English learners, choose based on whether you're discussing the ongoing state or the event itself.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "брак" with "свадьба" (wedding celebration): English learners might use "брак" for the party aspect, but "свадьба" is correct for festivities. Error: "Мы celebrated брак вчера" (incorrect). Correct: "Мы celebrated свадьбу вчера" – This mixes English and Russian structures; always use full Russian phrasing.
• Overlooking case inflections: For example, saying "Я в брак" instead of "Я в браке" (I am in marriage). Explanation: The prepositional case is required after "в" to indicate state; this is a common grammar slip for beginners.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, marriage ("брак") often carries strong traditional and Orthodox Christian influences, such as church weddings and family-centric values. Historically, it symbolized social stability, especially in rural areas, and is still celebrated with customs like exchanging rings and toasting with bread and salt, reflecting community and heritage ties.

Related Concepts:

• семья (sem'ya) - Family
• любовь (lyubov') - Love
• развод (razvod) - Divorce