Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Marxist'

English Word: Marxist

Key Russian Translations:

• марксист (/ˈmarkist/) - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in academic, political, and historical contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and political vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

марксист: /ˈmarkist/ (with stress on the first syllable)

Note on марксист: The pronunciation is straightforward for most learners, but pay attention to the soft 'р' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations may occur in regional dialects, but the standard is as above.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A follower or adherent of Marxism, an ideology based on the theories of Karl Marx.

Translation(s) & Context:

• марксист - Used in formal, academic, or political contexts to describe someone who adheres to Marxist principles, such as in discussions of socialism or historical analysis.

Usage Examples:

• Он является марксистом и активно участвует в политических дебатах.

  He is a Marxist and actively participates in political debates. (This example shows the noun in a nominative case, describing personal identity.)

• В университете я изучал труды известных марксистов.

  At university, I studied the works of famous Marxists. (Here, the word is used in the genitive plural case, referring to a group of thinkers.)

• Многие марксисты критикуют современный капитализм за неравенство.

  Many Marxists criticize modern capitalism for inequality. (This demonstrates the nominative plural form in a broader societal context.)

• Её взгляды вдохновлены идеями марксиста Фридриха Энгельса.

  Her views are inspired by the ideas of the Marxist Friedrich Engels. (This example uses the genitive singular case to specify influence from a particular figure.)

• Марксистская партия выиграла выборы в некоторых регионах.

  The Marxist party won elections in some regions. (This shows the adjective form derived from the noun, used attributively in a political context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Марксист is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows standard noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. There are no irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward, but learners should note case changes for grammatical agreement.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: коммунист (kommunist) - Refers to a Communist, with overlapping ideology but more specific to Leninism; социалист (sotsialist) - A broader term for socialist, less tied to Marx.
• Antonyms: капиталист (kapitalist) - Directly opposes Marxist ideology by representing capitalist supporters.

Related Phrases:

• марксистская теория - Marxist theory (A common phrase in academic discussions, referring to foundational concepts like class struggle.)
• марксистские идеи - Marxist ideas (Used in philosophical contexts to describe core principles of Marxism.)
• современный марксист - Modern Marxist (Refers to contemporary interpretations, often in debates about global politics.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "марксист" precisely corresponds to "Marxist" as a noun, emphasizing adherence to Karl Marx's economic and social theories. It is typically formal and avoids slang; use it in academic, historical, or political writing rather than casual speech. When choosing between translations like "коммунист," opt for "марксист" if the focus is specifically on Marxism rather than broader Communism. Grammatically, ensure proper declension based on sentence structure for correct agreement with verbs and adjectives.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "коммунист" interchangeably with "марксист." For example, saying "Он коммунист" when meaning "He is a Marxist."
  Correct: "Он марксист." Explanation: While related, "коммунист" implies affiliation with Communism, which includes elements beyond pure Marxism; this can lead to ideological inaccuracies.

• Error: Failing to decline the noun properly, e.g., using "марксист" in the genitive case as "марксист" instead of "марксиста."
  Correct: "Идеи марксиста" (The ideas of the Marxist). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so neglecting this makes the sentence grammatically incorrect and hard to understand.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "марксист" carries significant historical weight due to the Soviet era, where Marxism-Leninism was the state ideology. It evokes themes of revolution, class struggle, and social equality, often positively in educational contexts but critically in post-Soviet discussions. Understanding this term helps English speakers grasp Russia's 20th-century political landscape and its ongoing influence on contemporary debates.

Related Concepts:

• социализм (sotsializm)
• ленинизм (leninizm)
• капитализм (kapitalizm)