Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'posterity'

English Word: posterity

Key Russian Translations:

• потомки [pɐˈtomkʲi] - [Formal, Plural, Used in historical or philosophical contexts]
• потомство [pɐˈtomstvə] - [Formal, Singular, Used for lineage or descendants in a broader sense]

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

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and noun inflections; for потомки, it's straightforward once basic grammar is learned, but потомство may vary slightly in nuance)

Pronunciation (Russian):

потомки: [pɐˈtomkʲi]

Note on потомки: The stress falls on the second syllable ("tom"), and the palatalized 'kʲ' sound can be challenging for beginners; practice with native speakers for accuracy.

потомство: [pɐˈtomstvə]

Note on потомство: Stress on the second syllable; the 'stvə' ending is a common neuter noun pattern, but be mindful of vowel reduction in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Future generations or descendants (Referring to those who come after, often in a historical or legacy context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• потомки - Typically used in formal or literary settings to denote direct descendants or future heirs; common in discussions of inheritance or history.
• потомство - Applied in broader contexts like biology, genealogy, or philosophy to mean lineage or progeny as a collective.

Usage Examples:

• Мы должны заботиться о потомках, чтобы сохранить нашу культуру. (We must care for posterity to preserve our culture.)

  We must care for posterity to preserve our culture. (Shows formal, historical usage.)

• Его открытия предназначены для потомства. (His discoveries are intended for posterity.)

  His discoveries are intended for posterity. (Illustrates use in a scientific or legacy context.)

• Потомство этой династии оставило значительный след в истории. (The posterity of this dynasty left a significant mark in history.)

  The posterity of this dynasty left a significant mark in history. (Demonstrates plural form in narrative writing.)

• В своём завещании он подумал о потомстве. (In his will, he thought about posterity.)

  In his will, he thought about posterity. (Example in legal or personal contexts.)

• Потомки должны учиться на ошибках предков. (Posterity must learn from the mistakes of ancestors.)

  Posterity must learn from the mistakes of ancestors. (Highlights educational or reflective usage.)

Meaning 2: The state of being passed down to future generations (More abstract, emphasizing legacy or endurance)

Translation(s) & Context:

• потомство - Used when discussing the continuation of a line or tradition; appropriate in philosophical or cultural contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Его произведения предназначены вечному потомству. (His works are meant for eternal posterity.)

  His works are meant for eternal posterity. (Emphasizes enduring legacy.)

• В науке открытия живут для потомства. (In science, discoveries live on for posterity.)

  In science, discoveries live on for posterity. (Shows application in intellectual contexts.)

• Потомство культуры России богато и разнообразно. (The posterity of Russian culture is rich and diverse.)

  The posterity of Russian culture is rich and diverse. (Illustrates cultural heritage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For потомки (a plural noun, masculine), it follows standard Russian noun declension for the plural form. It is irregular in some cases due to its root, but generally predictable.

For потомство (a neuter noun, singular), it is largely invariable in its base form but follows standard neuter declension:

Note: These words do not change for gender but are sensitive to number and case, which is common in Russian nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • наследники [Direct equivalents, but наследники implies legal heirs with slight emphasis on rights]
  • преемники [Used for successors, often in professional or historical contexts, with a focus on continuation]
• Antonyms:
  • предки [Refers to ancestors, contrasting with future-oriented meanings]

Related Phrases:

• Для потомков (For posterity) - Used to indicate actions or creations meant for future generations, often in artistic or historical contexts.
• Потомство рода (Lineage of a family) - Refers to the descendants of a specific family or dynasty, with connotations of heritage.
• Вечное потомство (Eternal posterity) - An idiomatic phrase emphasizing enduring legacy, common in literature or memorials.

Usage Notes:

While 'posterity' in English often implies a sense of legacy or future impact, Russian translations like 'потомки' and 'потомство' are more formal and context-dependent. Use 'потомки' for plural, human descendants in historical discussions, and 'потомство' for broader, abstract concepts. Be mindful of grammatical cases: for example, in prepositional phrases like 'о потомках' (about posterity), the genitive case is required. English learners should choose based on number and specificity—'потомки' for groups, 'потомство' for collectives. Avoid using in casual speech; it's best for written or formal Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'потомки' with 'предки' (ancestors) due to similar roots. Incorrect: Мы думаем о предках. (We think about posterity.) Correct: Мы думаем о потомках. (We think about posterity.) Explanation: 'Предки' refers to the past, while 'потомки' looks to the future; this mix-up can alter the entire meaning.

• Error: Forgetting case inflections, e.g., using nominative in all contexts. Incorrect: Я думаю о потомки. (I think about posterity.) Correct: Я думаю о потомках. (I think about posterity, genitive case.) Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so prepositions like 'о' trigger genitive; this is a common pitfall for beginners from non-inflected languages.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'потомки' often carry a deep sense of historical continuity, influenced by Russia's rich literary tradition (e.g., in works by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky). It reflects themes of legacy and national identity, especially in post-Soviet contexts where preserving cultural 'потомство' is seen as vital for national pride.

Related Concepts:

• наследство (inheritance)
• преемственность (succession)
• будущие поколения (future generations)