Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'metropolitan'

English Word: metropolitan

Key Russian Translations:

• митрополит /mʲɪtrɐˈpolʲɪt/ - [Formal, Noun, Refers to a high-ranking bishop in the Orthodox Church]
• метрополитен /mʲɪtrɐpɐˈlʲitʲɛn/ - [Formal, Noun, Specifically for a subway or underground railway system]
• столичный /ˈstolʲɪt͡ɕnɨj/ - [Adjective, Informal to Formal, Describing something related to a capital city or metropolitan area]

Frequency: Medium - The word is commonly used in contexts like religion, urban planning, and transportation, but not as everyday as basic vocabulary.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "митрополит" and "метрополитен"; A2 (Elementary) for "столичный" - Learners at B1 level can grasp religious and urban contexts, while "столичный" is more straightforward for beginners.

Pronunciation (Russian):

митрополит: /mʲɪtrɐˈpolʲɪt/

Note on митрополит: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'л' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in different Russian dialects.

метрополитен: /mʲɪtrɐpɐˈlʲitʲɛn/

Note on метрополитен: Emphasize the final 'ен' as a soft ending; this word is often used in formal announcements, so clarity is key.

столичный: /ˈstolʲɪt͡ɕnɨj/

Note on столичный: The 'ч' sound is similar to the English 'ch' in "church," but softer; it's an adjective that doesn't change much in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A high-ranking bishop in the Orthodox Church (Noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• митрополит - Used in formal religious contexts, such as church hierarchies or historical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Митрополит возглавил службу в соборе.

  The metropolitan led the service in the cathedral.

• В России митрополит часто является ключевой фигурой в православной церкви.

  In Russia, the metropolitan is often a key figure in the Orthodox Church.

• Митрополит проводит ежегодные встречи с прихожанами.

  The metropolitan holds annual meetings with parishioners.

• Избранный митрополит был назначен на высокий пост.

  The elected metropolitan was appointed to a high position.

Meaning 2: A subway or underground railway system (Noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• метрополитен - Common in urban transportation contexts, especially in cities like Moscow.

Usage Examples:

• Метрополитен Москвы - один из самых глубоких в мире.

  The Moscow metropolitan is one of the deepest in the world.

• Я езжу на работу на метрополитене каждый день.

  I take the metropolitan to work every day.

• Метрополитен закрыт из-за технических работ.

  The metropolitan is closed due to maintenance work.

• В метрополитене всегда много людей во время часа пик.

  The metropolitan is always crowded during rush hour.

Meaning 3: Relating to a capital city or metropolitan area (Adjective)

Translation(s) & Context:

• столичный - Used in everyday descriptions of urban life or geography.

Usage Examples:

• Столичный район привлекает туристов своей архитектурой.

  The metropolitan area attracts tourists with its architecture.

• В столичных городах жизнь более динамичная.

  Life in metropolitan cities is more dynamic.

• Столичный транспорт часто перегружен.

  Metropolitan transportation is often overcrowded.

• Она переехала в столичный регион за работой.

  She moved to the metropolitan region for work.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "митрополит" (Noun, masculine): This is a standard masculine noun with regular declensions. It follows the first declension pattern.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	митрополит	митрополиты
Genitive	митрополита	митрополитов
Dative	митрополиту	митрополитам
Accusative	митрополита	митрополитов
Instrumental	митрополитом	митрополитами
Prepositional	митрополите	митрополитах

For "метрополитен" (Noun, masculine): Similar to above, with regular declensions.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	метрополитен	метрополитены (less common)
Genitive	метрополитена	метрополитенов

For "столичный" (Adjective): Adjectives in Russian agree in gender, number, and case. It is regular and changes as follows in nominative case: столичный (masc.), столичная (fem.), столичное (neut.), столичные (plur.).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • архиепископ (for митрополит; similar to archbishop)
  • подземка (for метрополитен; informal for subway)
  • городской (for столичный; meaning urban or city-related)
• Antonyms:
  • провинциальный (for столичный; meaning provincial or non-metropolitan)
  • священник (for митрополит; a lower-ranking priest, contrasting hierarchy)

Related Phrases:

• Митрополит Московский - Refers to the Metropolitan of Moscow, a key religious title.
• Метрополитен Санкт-Петербурга - The subway system in Saint Petersburg.
• Столичный образ жизни - The metropolitan lifestyle, implying fast-paced urban living.

Usage Notes:

"Митрополит" directly corresponds to the religious sense of "metropolitan" in English and should be used in formal or ecclesiastical contexts. "Метрополитен" is a loanword from English/French and is standard for subway systems, but avoid it in casual speech where "подземка" might be more natural. For "столичный," it's versatile but carries a connotation of sophistication; choose it over simpler synonyms when emphasizing urban prestige. When multiple translations apply, select based on context: religious, transportation, or geographical.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "митрополит" with "епископ" (bishop) - Error: Using "митрополит" for any bishop. Correct: "Митрополит" is a higher rank. Explanation: English learners often overlook Russian Orthodox hierarchy.
• Mispronouncing "метрополитен" by stressing the wrong syllable - Error: Saying /mʲɪˈtrɐpɐlʲitʲɛn/ instead of /mʲɪtrɐpɐˈlʲitʲɛn/. Correct: Focus on the final stress. Explanation: This leads to misunderstandings in travel contexts.
• Overusing "столичный" in non-urban contexts - Error: Applying it to rural areas. Correct: Reserve for cities. Explanation: It implies a specific cultural vibe, which can sound out of place otherwise.

Cultural Notes:

"Митрополит" holds deep significance in Russian Orthodox culture, often linked to historical figures like those in the Russian Empire, symbolizing spiritual authority. "Метрополитен" in cities like Moscow reflects Soviet-era engineering prowess, with stations featuring art and history, making it more than just transport—it's a cultural landmark.

Related Concepts:

• епископ (bishop)
• подземка (subway, informal)
• городской (urban)