Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pogrom'

English Word: pogrom

Key Russian Translations:

• погром [/pɐˈɡrom/] - [Formal, Historical]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in historical, political, and academic discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, according to CEFR; requires understanding of historical contexts and basic noun inflections for English learners of Russian).

Pronunciation (Russian):

погром: /pɐˈɡrom/

Note on погром: The stress falls on the second syllable (/ɡrom/), which is a common point of difficulty for English speakers due to the rolled 'r' sound. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter the vowel sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Main meaning: An organized massacre or violent riot targeting a specific ethnic or religious group, often Jews, typically in a historical or political context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• погром - Used in formal, historical, or journalistic contexts to describe organized violence; often implies state tolerance or involvement.

Usage Examples:

• В истории России XIX века погромы часто были направлены против еврейского населения.

  In the history of 19th-century Russia, pogroms were often directed against the Jewish population.

• Международное сообщество осудило погромы, происходящие в регионе.

  The international community condemned the pogroms occurring in the region.

• Этот фильм документирует последствия погрома 1905 года.

  This film documents the consequences of the 1905 pogrom.

• Погромы в Восточной Европе оставили глубокий след в коллективной памяти.

  Pogroms in Eastern Europe left a deep mark on collective memory.

• Во время погрома были разрушены сотни домов и синагог.

  During the pogrom, hundreds of homes and synagogues were destroyed.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

погром is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with inflections based on case and number. There are no irregularities, but learners should note the consistent stress on the second syllable.

Note: As a countable noun, it does not have diminutive or augmentative forms in standard usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • резня (reznya) - More general term for massacre, often implying chaos; used in broader violent contexts.
  • избиение (izbienie) - Focuses on beating or assault, with less emphasis on organization.
• Antonyms:
  • мир (mir) - Peace, contrasting the violence inherent in погром.
  • гармония (garmoniya) - Harmony, emphasizing social stability.

Related Phrases:

• антисемитский погром (antisemitic pogrom) - A phrase referring to pogroms targeted at Jewish communities; used in discussions of hate crimes.
• массовый погром (mass pogrom) - Describes large-scale events; highlights the scale of violence in historical narratives.
• организованный погром (organized pogrom) - Emphasizes premeditation; common in legal or investigative contexts.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "погром" directly corresponds to the English "pogrom" and is often used in formal or academic settings to discuss historical events, particularly those involving anti-Jewish violence in the Russian Empire. It carries a connotation of organized rioting with implicit or explicit state involvement, which may not be as pronounced in general English usage. English learners should note that "погром" is typically neutral in tone but can evoke strong emotional responses due to its historical baggage. When choosing between synonyms like "резня," opt for "погром" if the context involves ethnic targeting. Grammatically, always inflect it according to Russian case requirements in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing "погром" as /poʊˈɡrɑm/ (like the English version), ignoring the Russian rolled 'r' and vowel shifts. Correct: Use /pɐˈɡrom/ with a soft 'o' sound. Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings in spoken Russian, as the pronunciation affects word recognition.

• Error: Using "погром" in casual conversation without context, e.g., "Это был погром в парке" (meaning a simple fight). Correct: Reserve it for serious, organized events; say "драка" (fight) instead. Explanation: Overgeneralizing can diminish the word's historical weight and cause offense.

• Error: Failing to inflect properly, e.g., saying "в погром" instead of "в погроме" (prepositional case). Correct: "Я читал о погроме" (I read about the pogrom). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, and errors here make sentences grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

The term "погром" is deeply rooted in Russian and Eastern European history, particularly associated with anti-Jewish violence from the late 19th to early 20th centuries under the Tsarist regime. It reflects themes of ethnic tension, persecution, and social unrest, often linked to broader anti-Semitism that influenced events like the Russian Revolution. Understanding this word helps English speakers grasp the cultural and historical nuances of Russian society, where it symbolizes collective trauma and is frequently discussed in educational or memorial contexts.

Related Concepts:

• геноцид (genocide)
• холокост (Holocaust)
• антисемитизм (anti-Semitism)