Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'military'

English Word: military

Key Russian Translations:

• военный /vɐˈjɛn.nɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective]
• вооруженные силы /vɐ.ruʐˈʐɛn.nɨ.e ˈsɨ.lɨ/ - [Formal, Noun Phrase, Used in institutional contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in news, history, and official discussions, but not everyday casual speech).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic adjective and noun structures in Russian, though "военный" is straightforward for learners).

Pronunciation (Russian):

военный: /vɐˈjɛn.nɨj/

вооруженные силы: /vɐ.ruʐˈʐɛn.nɨ.e ˈsɨ.lɨ/

Note on военный: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers as it's palatalized.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to the armed forces or military affairs (as an adjective)

Translation(s) & Context:

• военный - Used in formal or descriptive contexts to describe anything related to the army, defense, or warfare, such as "military strategy."

Usage Examples:

• В военной академии изучают стратегию и тактику.

  In the military academy, they study strategy and tactics.

• Военный парад всегда привлекает много зрителей.

  The military parade always attracts many spectators.

• Его военная служба длилась пять лет.

  His military service lasted five years.

• Военная техника развивается стремительно в современном мире.

  Military technology is developing rapidly in the modern world.

Meaning 2: The armed forces as an institution (as a noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• вооруженные силы - Used in formal, official, or governmental contexts to refer to the organized military body of a country.

Usage Examples:

• Вооруженные силы России проводят ежегодные учения.

  The Russian armed forces conduct annual exercises.

• Вооруженные силы защищают границы страны.

  The armed forces defend the country's borders.

• Правительство реформирует вооруженные силы для повышения эффективности.

  The government is reforming the armed forces to improve efficiency.

• Вооруженные силы участвуют в международных операциях по поддержанию мира.

  The armed forces participate in international peacekeeping operations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "военный" (adjective), it follows standard Russian adjective declension patterns, which change based on gender, number, and case. It is a regular adjective.

For "вооруженные силы" (noun phrase), it is a plural noun and does not inflect as a single word. "Вооруженные" declines as an adjective agreeing with "силы," which is feminine plural and follows standard noun declension.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • армейский (army-related; more specific to ground forces)
  • воинственный (warlike; implies aggression)
• Antonyms:
  • гражданский (civilian)
  • мирный (peaceful)

Related Phrases:

• Военная служба – Military service (refers to compulsory or voluntary service in the armed forces).
• Вооруженные конфликты – Armed conflicts (used in discussions of wars or disputes).
• Военная академия – Military academy (an institution for training officers).

Usage Notes:

• "Военный" is the most direct translation for the adjective form of "military" and is used in both formal and semi-formal contexts, but avoid it in casual conversations where "армейский" might be more appropriate for army-specific topics.
• For the noun form, "вооруженные силы" is preferred in official contexts, as it precisely matches "the military" as an institution; choose it over single words for accuracy.
• Grammatically, adjectives like "военный" must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key feature of Russian syntax.
• In modern usage, these terms often appear in news or historical contexts, so learners should be aware of potential cultural sensitivities around military topics in Russia.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "военный" as a standalone noun, e.g., saying "Я в военный" instead of "Я в вооруженных силах."
  Correct: "Я служу в вооруженных силах" (I serve in the armed forces). Explanation: "Военный" is an adjective and needs to modify a noun; misuse can lead to grammatical errors.
• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., using "военный" in the wrong case, like "о военный" instead of "о военном."
  Correct: "О военном деле" (About military affairs). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always check the context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "вооруженные силы" carry significant historical weight, often linked to events such as World War II (known as the Great Patriotic War). Military service is a point of national pride and is mandatory for men, influencing social attitudes toward these words.

Related Concepts:

• армия (army)
• оборона (defense)
• стратегия (strategy)