Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'militarism'

English Word: militarism

Key Russian Translations:

• милитаризм /mʲɪlʲɪˈtarʲɪzm/ - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in political, historical, or academic discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: C1 (Advanced; requires familiarity with borrowed words from Western languages and concepts in international relations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

милитаризм: /mʲɪlʲɪˈtarʲɪzm/

Note on милитаризм: The stress falls on the third syllable ("tar"), which is a common feature in Russian loanwords. Be mindful of the palatalized 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The advocacy of military strength and the use of aggressive force to achieve national goals.

Translation(s) & Context:

• милитаризм - Used in formal contexts such as political debates, historical analyses, or international relations discussions, often to critique excessive military influence in society.

Usage Examples:

• В современной политике милитаризм часто приводит к конфликтам.

  In modern politics, militarism often leads to conflicts.

• Империя развивала милитаризм для расширения своих границ.

  The empire developed militarism to expand its borders.

• Критики милитаризма подчеркивают его негативное влияние на экономику.

  Critics of militarism emphasize its negative impact on the economy.

• Милитаризм в XX веке стал причиной многих войн.

  Militarism in the 20th century became the cause of many wars.

• Образование должно противостоять милитаризму, продвигая мирные ценности.

  Education should counter militarism by promoting peaceful values.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Милитаризм" is a masculine noun (from the neuter in origin but treated as masculine in Russian usage) and follows the standard declension pattern for nouns ending in -изм. It is an uncountable noun in most contexts, meaning it doesn't change for plural. However, it does inflect for cases. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This word does not have a plural form in standard usage, as it refers to a general concept rather than countable instances.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • воинственность (voinstvennost') - Emphasizes a warlike attitude, often used in emotional or rhetorical contexts.
  • милитаризация (militarizatsiya) - Refers more specifically to the process of militarizing, with a slight nuance towards institutional changes.
• Antonyms:
  • пацифизм (patsifizm) - Directly opposes militarism by advocating peace and non-violence.
  • antimilitarizm (antimilitarizm) - A direct counterpart, used in activist or ideological discussions.

Related Phrases:

• политика милитаризма - Policy of militarism; refers to government strategies prioritizing military expansion.
• эра милитаризма - Era of militarism; used to describe historical periods like the early 20th century.
• критика милитаризма - Criticism of militarism; common in intellectual debates about defense spending.

Usage Notes:

"Милитаризм" directly corresponds to the English "militarism" as a borrowed term, often retaining its Western connotations in Russian discourse. It is typically used in formal or academic settings, such as essays on history or politics, and carries a negative undertone implying excessive aggression. When choosing between synonyms like "воинственность," opt for it if the context is more emotional; for institutional processes, "милитаризация" might be more appropriate. Grammatically, always ensure correct case agreement, e.g., in prepositional phrases like "в милитаризме" (in militarism). Avoid using it in casual conversation, as it may sound overly formal.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "о милитаризм" instead of "о милитаризме" in prepositional contexts. Correct: "О милитаризме следует говорить осторожно" (One should speak about militarism carefully). Explanation: Russian requires the prepositional case for phrases with "о" (about), so learners must adjust the ending.

• Error: Confusing it with "милитарист" (militarist, an adjective or noun form). For example, saying "Он милитаризм" instead of "Он милитарист." Correct: "Он сторонник милитаризма" (He is a supporter of militarism). Explanation: "Милитаризм" is a noun for the concept, not a personal descriptor.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "милитаризм" often evokes memories of the Soviet era and World War II, where military strength was glorified in propaganda. It carries a complex connotation, sometimes seen as necessary for national defense in historical narratives, but increasingly criticized in post-Soviet discussions as a relic of imperial ambitions. Understanding this helps English speakers grasp why the term appears frequently in Russian media analyzing global conflicts.

Related Concepts:

• империализм (imperialism)
• шовинизм (shovinism)
• национализм (nationalism)