Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'president'

English Word: president

Key Russian Translations:

• президент [prʲɪˈzʲidʲɪnt] - [Formal, Used in official, political, or institutional contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly encountered in news, politics, and formal discussions but less so in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; it's a borrowed word from English/French, making it relatively straightforward for learners with basic vocabulary, but correct pronunciation and declension may require practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

президент: [prʲɪˈzʲidʲɪnt]

Note on президент: The stress is on the third syllable ('zʲidʲɪnt'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants (e.g., 'rʲ' and 'zʲ'). Practice with native audio for accurate soft sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The head of a country or organization (e.g., political leader)

Translation(s) & Context:

• президент - Used in formal contexts for the elected or appointed leader of a nation, company, or institution; common in political discourse or official documents.

Usage Examples:

• Президент выступил с речью на международном саммите. (The president delivered a speech at the international summit.)

  Translation: The president delivered a speech at the international summit. (This example shows the word in a formal political context.)

• В нашей компании новый президент, и он уже ввел несколько реформ. (In our company, there's a new president, and he has already introduced several reforms.)

  Translation: In our company, there's a new president, and he has already introduced several reforms. (Illustrates use in a corporate setting.)

• Президент России ежегодно обращается к Федеральному собранию. (The President of Russia addresses the Federal Assembly annually.)

  Translation: The President of Russia addresses the Federal Assembly annually. (Demonstrates use with proper nouns and historical context.)

• Если президент уйдет в отставку, это вызовет политический кризис. (If the president resigns, it will cause a political crisis.)

  Translation: If the president resigns, it will cause a political crisis. (Shows the word in a hypothetical or speculative sentence.)

• Молодой президент страны фокусируется на экономических реформах. (The young president of the country is focusing on economic reforms.)

  Translation: The young president of the country is focusing on economic reforms. (Highlights use with adjectives for description.)

Meaning 2: A title for the leader of a club, society, or ceremonial body

Translation(s) & Context:

• президент - Applied in less formal settings, such as student organizations or cultural groups; still maintains a formal tone.

Usage Examples:

• Она была избрана президентом студенческого совета. (She was elected president of the student council.)

  Translation: She was elected president of the student council. (This example demonstrates use in an educational or youth context.)

• Президент клуба организовал ежегодный фестиваль. (The president of the club organized the annual festival.)

  Translation: The president of the club organized the annual festival. (Shows the word in a community or recreational setting.)

• Как президент ассоциации, он отвечает за финансовые отчеты. (As the president of the association, he is responsible for financial reports.)

  Translation: As the president of the association, he is responsible for financial reports. (Illustrates use with responsibilities.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Президент is a masculine noun (3rd declension in Russian). It follows standard patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. As a borrowed word, its inflections are regular but can vary slightly in formal contexts.

Note: The plural form is less common and used for referring to multiple presidents (e.g., in historical contexts). There are no irregular inflections for this word.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • глава государства (head of state; more general and formal, often used interchangeably in political contexts)
  • лидер (leader; less formal, emphasizing influence rather than title)
• Antonyms:
  • подчиненный (subordinate; refers to someone under authority)

Related Phrases:

• Президент России (President of Russia) - Refers to the head of the Russian Federation; commonly used in news and politics.
• Избрать президента (To elect a president) - A phrase for the process of voting in a leader; used in electoral contexts.
• Президентский срок (Presidential term) - Indicates the duration of a president's office; relevant in discussions of governance.
• Встреча с президентом (Meeting with the president) - Describes formal interactions; highlights diplomatic or official engagements.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "президент" directly corresponds to the English "president" but is typically reserved for formal titles, unlike in English where it can be more casual. Always use the correct case based on sentence structure (e.g., genitive for possession: "речи президента" - the president's speech). When choosing between translations, opt for "президент" in modern contexts; "глава государства" is better for broader or historical references. Be mindful of gender agreement, as it's masculine, affecting adjectives and verbs.

Common Errors:

• Error: Misusing the case, e.g., saying "в президент" instead of "в президенте" (in the president). Correct: Use the prepositional case for locations or descriptions. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Pronouncing it as [prez-i-dent] without palatalization, sounding like the English word. Correct: Emphasize [prʲɪˈzʲidʲɪnt] with soft consonants. Explanation: This can make the word sound unnatural; practice with audio to master the Russian phonetics.

• Error: Using it in informal contexts, e.g., for a club leader as if it were casual. Correct: Reserve for formal settings; use "председатель" for less official groups. Explanation: Overgeneralization from English can lead to inappropriate tone in Russian communication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the term "президент" carries significant political weight, especially in the context of Russia's presidential system since the 1990s. It often evokes discussions of power dynamics, as seen in historical figures like Vladimir Putin, and is tied to national identity and governance. Understanding this can help English speakers grasp the cultural reverence or controversy surrounding the role.

Related Concepts:

• министр (minister)
• премьер-министр (prime minister)
• правительство (government)