Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'metropolis'

English Word: metropolis

Key Russian Translations:

• метрополия [mʲɪtrɐˈpolʲɪjə] - [Formal; Used in administrative, historical, or religious contexts, such as referring to a major city or metropolitan area]
• мегаполис [mʲɪˈɡapolʲɪs] - [Informal; Used for modern urban agglomerations, often in everyday or technological discussions]
• большой город [ˈbolʲʂəj ɡɐˈrod] - [Neutral; A more general term for a large city, applicable in casual conversations]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian speech; they appear more in formal writing, history, or urban planning contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and contextual usage. For 'метрополия', it's B2 due to its formal connotations; for 'мегаполис', it's also B2 as it involves loanwords.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

метрополия: [mʲɪtrɐˈpolʲɪjə]

мегаполис: [mʲɪˈɡapolʲɪs]

большой город: [ˈbolʲʂəj ɡɐˈrod] (Note that 'большой' has stress on the first syllable, and 'город' is straightforward, but pay attention to the soft 'л' sound.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A large, important city or urban center

Translation(s) & Context:

• метрополия - Used in formal or historical contexts, such as describing a capital city or administrative hub in empire-related discussions.
• мегаполис - Applied in modern, urban planning or technological contexts, emphasizing size and complexity.
• большой город - General everyday usage for any large city, without specific historical connotations.

Usage Examples:

• Москва является метрополией России, где сосредоточены основные политические институты.

  Moscow is the metropolis of Russia, where the main political institutions are concentrated.

• Нью-Йорк — это классический мегаполис, полный высотных зданий и разнообразной культуры.

  New York is a classic metropolis, full of skyscrapers and diverse culture.

• В большом городе всегда есть множество возможностей для карьеры и развлечений.

  In a big city, there are always plenty of opportunities for career and entertainment.

• Историческая метрополия Санкт-Петербург сохраняет архитектурное наследие империи.

  The historical metropolis of St. Petersburg preserves the architectural heritage of the empire.

• Жизнь в мегаполисе может быть напряженной, но она предлагает уникальные преимущества.

  Life in a metropolis can be stressful, but it offers unique advantages.

Secondary Meaning: In religious or ecclesiastical contexts, referring to a bishop's see

Translation(s) & Context:

• метрополия - Specifically used in Orthodox Christian contexts for a metropolitan bishop's diocese.

Usage Examples:

• Митрополит управляет метрополией, overseeяя приходы в регионе.

  The metropolitan manages the metropolis, overseeing parishes in the region.

• В Русской православной церкви метрополия играет ключевую роль в иерархии.

  In the Russian Orthodox Church, the metropolis plays a key role in the hierarchy.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Метрополия' is a feminine noun in the first declension group, with regular inflections. 'Мегаполис' is a masculine noun with standard patterns. 'Большой город' is a phrase where 'большой' is an adjective and 'город' is a masculine noun in the second declension.

Note: These are regular patterns; no irregularities for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • столица (capital; more specific to political centers)
  • город (city; very general, but less emphasis on size)
• Antonyms:
  • деревня (village; implies rural, small-scale areas)
  • провинция (province; suggests non-urban or peripheral regions)

Related Phrases:

• Столичная жизнь - Refers to urban lifestyle in a major city, often implying excitement and opportunities.
• Мегаполисный ритм - Describes the fast-paced rhythm of life in a metropolis.
• Большой городской центр - A phrase for a central hub in a large city, used in planning contexts.

Usage Notes:

When translating 'metropolis' to Russian, choose 'метрополия' for formal or historical contexts (e.g., ecclesiastical or imperial references), 'мегаполис' for modern urban settings, and 'большой город' for everyday casual use. Be mindful of context: Russian often requires agreement in gender, number, and case, so inflect accordingly. For English learners, avoid overusing loanwords like 'мегаполис' in formal writing, as native speakers prefer more integrated vocabulary.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'метрополия' interchangeably with 'столица' without context. Incorrect: Москва — это метрополия, как и Вашингтон. Correct: Москва — это метрополия в историческом смысле, но 'столица' fits better for political capitals. Explanation: 'Метрополия' implies a broader administrative role, not just a capital.
• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun in sentences. Incorrect: Я живу в мегаполис. Correct: Я живу в мегаполисе (prepositional case). Explanation: Russian nouns change based on case, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'метрополия' evoke historical ties to the Russian Empire, where major cities were centers of power and Orthodox influence. For instance, Moscow as a metropolis symbolizes national identity, reflecting themes of centralization in Russian history and literature.

Related Concepts:

• столица
• город
• провинция
• мегаполисная зона