Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'national'

English Word: national

Key Russian Translations:

• Национальный [nətsɪɐˈnalʲnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• Национальный [nətsɪɐˈnalʲnɨj] - [Informal, Used in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly used in discussions about politics, culture, and society)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and their inflections)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Национальный: [nətsɪɐˈnalʲnɨj]

Note on Национальный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'l' sound, which can be tricky for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to a nation or country (e.g., national identity, national holidays)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Национальный - Used in formal contexts like government or cultural discussions, emphasizing state-level matters.
• Национальный - In informal settings, such as everyday conversations about patriotism.

Usage Examples:

• В России отмечают национальный праздник 12 июня. (In Russia, they celebrate the national holiday on June 12.)

  Translation: In Russia, they celebrate the national holiday on June 12.

• Национальный музей хранит артефакты нашей истории. (The national museum holds artifacts of our history.)

  Translation: The national museum holds artifacts of our history. This example shows the adjective in a possessive context.

• Его национальный костюм отражает традиции его народа. (His national costume reflects the traditions of his people.)

  Translation: His national costume reflects the traditions of his people. Here, it demonstrates cultural usage.

• Национальный язык России — это русский. (The national language of Russia is Russian.)

  Translation: The national language of Russia is Russian. This illustrates a straightforward descriptive use.

• В национальном масштабе это решение повлияет на всю страну. (On a national scale, this decision will affect the entire country.)

  Translation: On a national scale, this decision will affect the entire country. This shows the word in an abstract, policy-related context.

Meaning 2: Pertaining to a specific group or identity (e.g., national team in sports)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Национальный - Often used in sports or competitive contexts, implying representation of a country.

Usage Examples:

• Наша национальная сборная выиграла чемпионат. (Our national team won the championship.)

  Translation: Our national team won the championship. This example highlights sports usage.

• Национальный флаг развевается на стадионе. (The national flag is waving at the stadium.)

  Translation: The national flag is waving at the stadium. Demonstrates symbolic usage.

• Он гордится своим национальным происхождением. (He is proud of his national origin.)

  Translation: He is proud of his national origin. This shows personal identity context.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Национальный" is an adjective in Russian and follows the standard patterns of first-declension adjectives. It changes based on gender, number, and case. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Государственный (gosudarstvennyy) - More focused on state affairs, often interchangeable in political contexts.
  • Отечественный (otechestvennyy) - Emphasizes domestic or homeland-related aspects.
• Antonyms:
  • Международный (mezhdunarodnyy) - Refers to international or global matters.
  • Региональный (regional'nyy) - Pertains to regional or local levels.

Related Phrases:

• Национальный гимн (Natsional'nyy gimn) - The national anthem; a patriotic song representing a country.
• Национальная валюта (Natsional'naya valyuta) - National currency; refers to a country's official money, like the ruble in Russia.
• Национальная кухня (Natsional'naya kukhnya) - National cuisine; traditional food of a nation, often with cultural significance.

Usage Notes:

"Национальный" directly corresponds to the English "national" as an adjective, but in Russian, it must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. For English speakers, remember that Russian adjectives are more inflected than in English, so always check the noun's form. It's commonly used in formal writing and speech, but avoid overusing it in casual conversations where simpler terms might suffice. When choosing between translations, opt for "Национальный" for broad national contexts, but "Государственный" if the focus is on government institutions.

• In phrases like "national park," use "Национальный парк" for accuracy.
• Be mindful of cultural nuances; in Russia, it often carries a sense of unity and pride.

Common Errors:

One common mistake is failing to inflect "Национальный" correctly, such as using the masculine form with a feminine noun (e.g., saying "Национальный река" instead of "Национальная река" for "national river"). Correct usage: Always match the adjective to the noun's gender and case. Another error is confusing it with "Националистический" (nationalistic), which implies extremism—e.g., incorrectly saying "Националистический праздник" when meaning a neutral national holiday.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Национальный" often evoke strong patriotic sentiments, especially in the context of post-Soviet identity. For instance, National Unity Day in Russia (4 November) celebrates historical events that fostered national cohesion, reflecting how the term intertwines with historical narratives and collective memory.

Related Concepts:

• Патриотический (Patrioticheskiy)
• Государственный (Gosudarstvennyy)
• Этнический (Etnicheskiy)