Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'opposition'

English Word: opposition

Key Russian Translations:

• оппозиция /ɐpɐˈzʲit͡sʲijə/ - [Formal, Political context]
• противоположность /prətʲivəpɐˈloʐnəstʲ/ - [Informal, General opposition or contrast]

Frequency: Medium (Common in political discussions and formal writing, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and political vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

оппозиция: /ɐpɐˈzʲit͡sʲijə/

Note on оппозиция: The stress falls on the third syllable ("zi"). Pay attention to the palatalized 'z' sound, which is common in Russian and can be tricky for English speakers.

противоположность: /prətʲivəpɐˈloʐnəstʲ/

Note on противоположность: This word has a rolling 'r' and a soft 'l' sound; it's often used in philosophical or everyday contrasts.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Political or ideological opposition (e.g., groups against a government)

Translation(s) & Context:

• оппозиция - Used in formal political contexts, such as debates or news articles, to refer to organized resistance.
• противоположность - Less formal, often in broader ideological contrasts, but not typically for political parties.

Usage Examples:

• В парламенте сильная оппозиция выступает против реформ.

  In parliament, a strong opposition is speaking out against the reforms.

• Оппозиция в России часто организует митинги для выражения несогласия.

  The opposition in Russia often organizes rallies to express disagreement.

• Эта партия является частью оппозиции, но её влияние ограничено.

  This party is part of the opposition, but its influence is limited.

• Политическая оппозиция может привести к изменениям в законодательстве.

  Political opposition can lead to changes in legislation.

2. General contrast or opposition (e.g., in ideas or concepts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• противоположность - Used for abstract or everyday contrasts, such as opposites in philosophy or daily life.
• оппозиция - Rarely used here; prefer for structured opposition.

Usage Examples:

• Свет и тьма — это классическая противоположность в литературе.

  Light and darkness are a classic opposition in literature.

• В науке противоположность идей стимулирует прогресс.

  In science, the opposition of ideas stimulates progress.

• Его взгляды находятся в противоположности с традиционными ценностями.

  His views are in opposition to traditional values.

• Противоположность мнений часто приводит к конструктивному диалогу.

  The opposition of opinions often leads to constructive dialogue.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both main translations are feminine nouns. "Оппозиция" is a first-declension noun with regular patterns, while "противоположность" follows standard third-declension rules for abstract nouns.

Note: These nouns do not change for gender but follow regular declension patterns. No irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • противоречие (protivorečie) - Often used for contradictions, with a nuance of conflict.
  • антагонизм (antagonizm) - Implies stronger hostility, especially in social contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • согласие (soglasie) - Agreement or consensus.
  • поддержка (podderžka) - Support or backing.

Related Phrases:

• Политическая оппозиция - Political opposition; refers to organized groups challenging authority.
• Вести оппозицию - To lead the opposition; used in contexts of active resistance.
• Противоположная сторона - The opposing side; common in debates or arguments.

Usage Notes:

"Оппозиция" directly corresponds to the English "opposition" in political contexts and is preferred in formal Russian. Use "противоположность" for more general contrasts to avoid sounding overly political. Be mindful of context: in Russian, these words often imply active resistance rather than neutral difference. For learners, choose based on formality—оппозиция is more common in written media, while противоположность fits casual speech. Grammatically, always decline according to case for accurate sentence structure.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "оппозиция" in non-political contexts, e.g., saying "оппозиция идей" for "opposition of ideas" when "противоположность" is more appropriate. Correct: Противоположность идей. Explanation: This avoids confusion and maintains precision in meaning.
• Mistake: Forgetting to decline the noun, e.g., using nominative in all cases like "в оппозиция" instead of "в оппозиции". Correct: В оппозиции (prepositional case). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook, leading to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "оппозиция" often carries historical connotations from the Soviet era, where it referred to dissidents and underground movements against the state. Today, it evokes discussions of democracy and freedom of speech, especially in post-Soviet countries like Russia, where opposition parties play a significant role in politics despite challenges.

Related Concepts:

• революция (revoljucija)
• диссидент (dissident)
• протест (protest)