Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'population'

English Word: population

Key Russian Translations:

• население [nəsʲɪˈlʲenʲɪje] - [Formal, used in demographic and statistical contexts]

Frequency: High (commonly used in everyday discussions, news, and academic texts about demographics)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and common vocabulary, per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

население: [nəsʲɪˈlʲenʲɪje]

Note on население: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("le-"), and the 'с' is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation may occur in different Russian dialects, but this is the standard Moscow variant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: The total number of people inhabiting a specific area, such as a country or city.

Translation(s) & Context:

• население - Used in formal contexts like statistics, geography, or social sciences; refers to the general population of an area.

Usage Examples:

• Население России превышает 140 миллионов человек.

  The population of Russia exceeds 140 million people. (This example shows the word in a factual, demographic context.)

• Городское население растёт быстрее, чем сельское.

  The urban population is growing faster than the rural one. (Illustrates comparison in a sociological discussion.)

• Изменение населения влияет на экономику страны.

  Changes in population affect the country's economy. (Demonstrates use in economic or policy-related sentences.)

• Население маленького села составляет всего 500 человек.

  The population of the small village is only 500 people. (Shows application in a local or rural setting.)

• Мировое население достигло 8 миллиардов в 2023 году.

  The global population reached 8 billion in 2023. (Highlights use in global or historical contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Население" is a neuter noun in Russian, which means it follows the standard declension patterns for third-declension neuter nouns. It is inflected based on case, number, and gender, but as a singular noun, it does not have plural forms in most contexts unless specifying types (e.g., populations of different regions). Below is a declension table:

Note: This noun is invariable in plural forms for general use, but if referring to multiple populations (e.g., of different countries), you might use related forms like "населения" in genitive plural.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • жители (zhiteli) - More informal, refers specifically to inhabitants rather than total population.
  • населённые (naselennye) - Used as an adjective for populated areas, with subtle differences in context.
• Antonyms:
  • пустота (pustota) - Emptiness or vacancy, implying the absence of population.

Related Phrases:

• городское население - Urban population; refers to people living in cities, often in discussions of urbanization.
• сельское население - Rural population; contrasts with urban areas, used in agricultural or demographic contexts.
• увеличение населения - Population growth; a common phrase in economic or environmental topics.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "население" directly corresponds to the English "population" in most formal contexts, such as demographics or geography. It is a neuter noun, so it requires neuter agreement in adjectives and verbs (e.g., "население растёт" - the population is growing). Be mindful of case usage: for example, in prepositional phrases like "в населении" (in the population), it takes the prepositional case. When choosing between synonyms like "жители," opt for "население" in statistical or official contexts for precision. This word is neutral in tone and widely applicable across various registers, but avoid it in casual conversations where "люди" (people) might suffice.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse the genitive case, saying "of население" instead of correctly using "населения" in phrases like "рост населения" (growth of population). Error: "рост население" (incorrect). Correct: "рост населения". Explanation: Russian requires genitive for possession, so always check the case based on the preposition or structure.

• Another common mistake is treating it as a plural noun, leading to incorrect verb agreement. Error: "Население идут" (incorrect, as if it's plural). Correct: "Население идёт" (the population is going, with singular verb agreement). Explanation: Despite referring to many people, "население" is singular, so verbs and adjectives must agree accordingly.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and media, discussions of "население" often tie into historical events like the Soviet-era migrations or modern demographic challenges, such as population decline in rural areas due to urbanization. This word carries connotations of national identity and policy, as seen in government reports on population control or growth, reflecting Russia's vast geography and diverse ethnic groups.

Related Concepts:

• демография (demography)
• миграция (migration)
• этнический состав (ethnic composition)