Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'platoon'

English Word: platoon

Key Russian Translations:

• взвод [vzˈvot] - [Formal, Military Context]

Frequency: Medium (Common in military and formal discussions, less so in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1, as it involves specific military terminology and basic noun inflections)

Pronunciation (Russian):

взвод: [vzˈvot] (IPA transcription: /vzˈvot/)

Note on взвод: The initial "вз" is a consonant cluster pronounced as a voiced labiodental fricative followed by a voiced alveolar fricative; stress is on the second syllable. Regional variations may soften the "в" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Military unit (a small group of soldiers led by an officer)

Translation(s) & Context:

• взвод - Used in formal military contexts to refer to a subunit of soldiers, typically 20-50 individuals, often part of a larger company.

Usage Examples:

• В армии есть разные взводы, каждый из которых выполняет конкретные задачи.

  In the army, there are different platoons, each performing specific tasks.

• Командир взвода организовал ночное патрулирование для обеспечения безопасности.

  The platoon commander organized a night patrol to ensure security.

• Солдаты взвода успешно завершили учения в полевых условиях.

  The soldiers of the platoon successfully completed exercises in field conditions.

• Взвод был развернут на границе для мониторинга ситуации.

  The platoon was deployed at the border to monitor the situation.

• Во время маневров взвод продемонстрировал высокую дисциплину и координацию.

  During maneuvers, the platoon demonstrated high discipline and coordination.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"взвод" is a masculine noun in Russian (second declension). It follows standard noun inflection patterns for case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • отряд (otriad) - A squad or detachment, often used interchangeably in broader contexts but typically smaller.
  • группа (gruppa) - A group, less formal and more general, with nuances in military hierarchy.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as "взвод" is a specific military unit; however, larger units like "рота" (rota, company) could be seen as contrasting in scale.

Related Phrases:

• командир взвода - Platoon commander; refers to the officer in charge of the platoon.
• взвод пехоты - Infantry platoon; specifies the type of platoon in a military context.
• развернуть взвод - To deploy a platoon; used for strategic military actions.

Usage Notes:

"Взвод" directly corresponds to the English "platoon" in military terminology, but it's primarily used in formal, professional, or historical contexts. Avoid using it in casual conversations, as it may sound out of place. When selecting between translations, "взвод" is the most precise for military settings; for general groups, "отряд" might be more appropriate. Grammatically, always ensure correct case agreement, e.g., use genitive after prepositions like "из" (from). English learners should note that Russian military terms often carry hierarchical implications.

Common Errors:

• Using the wrong case: Beginners might say "в взвод" instead of "в взводе" in prepositional contexts. Correct: "в взводе" (in the platoon). Error occurs due to confusion with English prepositions; explanation: Russian requires the prepositional case for locations.

• Misinterpreting as a verb: Some learners might confuse it with action words; for example, saying "взводить" (to wind up, as in a mechanism) instead of "взвод" as a noun. Correct: Use "взвод" only as a noun; explanation: "Взводить" is unrelated and means something different.

• Overgeneralizing: Treating "взвод" as equivalent to any group, e.g., "моя взвод друзей" (my platoon of friends), which is incorrect. Correct: Reserve for military use; explanation: This dilutes the term's specific meaning and sounds unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, terms like "взвод" are deeply tied to military traditions, influenced by events such as the World Wars and the Soviet era. It evokes images of discipline and collective action in Russian literature and media, such as in war novels by authors like Vasily Grossman, symbolizing unity and sacrifice in national defense.

Related Concepts:

• рота (rota) - Company (a larger military unit)
• батальон (batal'on) - Battalion (an even larger formation)
• солдат (soldat) - Soldier (individual member of a platoon)