Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'politburo'

English Word: politburo

Key Russian Translations:

• Политбюро [pɐˈlʲitʲbʲʊrə] - [Formal, Specialized political term]

Frequency: Low (This term is rarely used in everyday conversation and is confined to political, historical, or academic contexts, such as discussions of Soviet or Russian communism.)

Difficulty: Advanced (C1) - Suitable for learners with a strong grasp of Russian vocabulary and grammar, as it involves specialized terminology and cultural knowledge.

Pronunciation (Russian):

Политбюро: [pɐˈlʲitʲbʲʊrə]

Note on Политбюро: The stress falls on the third syllable ('бюро'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants (e.g., 'лʲ' and 'тʲ'). Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Executive committee in a communist party

Translation(s) & Context:

• Политбюро - Used in formal political discussions, historical analyses, or news reports about communist structures, such as in the context of the Soviet Union or modern Russian politics.

Usage Examples:

• В советское время Политбюро играло ключевую роль в принятии государственных решений.

  In Soviet times, the Politburo played a key role in making state decisions.

• Политбюро КПСС было самым влиятельным органом в партии до 1991 года.

  The Politburo of the CPSU was the most influential body in the party until 1991.

• Современные историки часто анализируют решения Политбюро для понимания холодной войны.

  Modern historians often analyze the Politburo's decisions to understand the Cold War.

• В некоторых странах Политбюро до сих пор существует как часть коммунистической иерархии.

  In some countries, the Politburo still exists as part of the communist hierarchy.

• Политбюро обычно состояло из самых высокопоставленных членов партии, включая генерального секретаря.

  The Politburo typically consisted of the highest-ranking party members, including the general secretary.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Политбюро" is a neuter noun in Russian, derived from a compound word (from "политический" + "бюро"). It follows standard neuter noun declension patterns but is often used in its base form due to its proper noun-like status in historical contexts. However, it can inflect for case and number when necessary.

Note: This word is relatively invariable in practice because it is often treated as a proper noun or acronym. In plural forms, it might be used metaphorically, but this is uncommon.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ЦК (Central Committee) - Refers to the broader central committee, often overlapping in context but less specific.
  • Президиум (Presidium) - Used for similar executive bodies in other organizations, with a slightly more general application.
• Antonyms:
  • Оппозиция (Opposition) - Represents groups or forces against the ruling body, contrasting with the centralized power of the Politburo.

Related Phrases:

• Политбюро ЦК КПСС - The Politburo of the Central Committee of the CPSU; a phrase used in historical contexts to specify the full structure. (Refers to the main decision-making body in the Soviet Communist Party.)
• Заседание Политбюро - Meeting of the Politburo; commonly used in discussions of political history. (Indicates formal gatherings for policy decisions.)
• Члены Политбюро - Members of the Politburo; refers to individuals in high-ranking positions. (Highlights the elite status within the party.)

Usage Notes:

The Russian term "Политбюро" directly corresponds to the English "politburo" and is primarily used in formal, historical, or political contexts, especially when discussing Soviet-era institutions. It is not interchangeable with general terms like "council" or "committee" due to its specific connotations of communist governance. English learners should note that in Russian, this word often appears in genitive constructions (e.g., "решения Политбюро" for "decisions of the Politburo"). When choosing translations, opt for "Политбюро" in academic or journalistic writing, as it maintains precision. Be mindful of the word's cultural weight, as it evokes Soviet history, and avoid casual use in everyday conversation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "Политбюро" with "Бюро" alone, leading to incorrect simplification (e.g., saying "Бюро" to mean "politburo"). Correct usage: Use the full "Политбюро" to avoid ambiguity, as "Бюро" typically means a general office or bureau. Explanation: This mistake stems from over-literal translation; always include the full term for historical accuracy.

• Error: Incorrectly declining the word in sentences, such as using it in the wrong case (e.g., "в Политбюро" instead of the proper prepositional form). Correct usage: In prepositional phrases, it remains "Политбюро," but ensure context fits (e.g., "в Политбюро" is correct for "in the Politburo"). Explanation: Russian nouns have strict case rules, and learners often overlook this for compound words.

Cultural Notes:

The term "Политбюро" is deeply tied to Soviet and Russian history, originating from the Bolshevik Party in 1917 as part of Lenin's organizational structure. It symbolizes centralized power and authoritarian decision-making, often associated with figures like Stalin. In contemporary Russia, it evokes nostalgia or criticism of the communist era, making it a loaded term in cultural discussions. English speakers should understand this historical baggage to appreciate its use in literature, films, or politics.

Related Concepts:

• ЦК (Central Committee)
• Генеральный секретарь (General Secretary)
• Коммунистическая партия (Communist Party)