Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prince'

English Word: prince

Key Russian Translations:

• принц [prʲints] - [Formal, typically used for European-style royal titles]
• князь [knʲazʲ] - [Historical or Formal, often referring to Russian or Slavic nobility]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, history, and formal contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and cultural nuances)

Pronunciation (Russian):

принц: [prʲints]

князь: [knʲazʲ]

Note on князь: The 'к' is pronounced with a soft palate, similar to 'k' in 'key', but can vary regionally; stress is on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A royal or noble title

Translation(s) & Context:

• принц - Used in modern contexts for a prince in a monarchy, such as in fairy tales or European history.
• князь - Applied in historical or cultural contexts, like Russian tsarist era nobility, often with connotations of leadership or land ownership.

Usage Examples:

• Русский принц унаследовал трон после смерти отца. (Russian prince inherited the throne after his father's death.)

  English Translation: The Russian prince inherited the throne after his father's death. (This example shows 'принц' in a familial and historical context.)

• В сказках часто встречается образ доброго князя, спасающего королевство. (In fairy tales, the image of a kind prince often appears, saving the kingdom.)

  English Translation: In fairy tales, the image of a kind prince often appears, saving the kingdom. (Here, 'князь' is used metaphorically in storytelling.)

• Принц Уильям - известная фигура в британской монархии. (Prince William is a well-known figure in the British monarchy.)

  English Translation: Prince William is a well-known figure in the British monarchy. (Demonstrates 'принц' in contemporary, international usage.)

• Князь Александр Невский - герой русской истории. (Prince Alexander Nevsky is a hero of Russian history.)

  English Translation: Prince Alexander Nevsky is a hero of Russian history. (Illustrates 'князь' in a historical, patriotic context.)

• Молодой принц путешествовал по миру, чтобы узнать о разных культурах. (The young prince traveled the world to learn about different cultures.)

  English Translation: The young prince traveled the world to learn about different cultures. (Shows 'принц' in a narrative or educational setting.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'принц' and 'князь' are masculine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard masculine declension patterns. 'Принц' is a borrowed word and has relatively regular inflections, while 'князь' is a native word with more traditional Slavic changes.

Note: These words do not change for gender but do inflect for case and number as shown. 'Князь' has an irregular plural form, which is common in Russian historical nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • принц: наследник (naslednik) - [Direct heir, with a focus on succession]
  • князь: герцог (gertsog) - [Duke, in a Western European context; slight difference in historical prestige]
• Antonyms:
  • простолюдин (prostolyudin) - [Commoner, peasant]
  • тиран (tiran) - [Tyrant, implying oppressive rule]

Related Phrases:

• Принц на белом коне (Prince on a white horse) - A phrase meaning a heroic rescuer or ideal partner in romantic contexts.
• Княжеский титул (Knyazheskiy titul) - Refers to the noble title of a prince, often in historical discussions.
• Наследный принц (Naslednyy prints) - Means heir apparent, used in monarchical successions.

Usage Notes:

'Принц' is a direct loanword from English/French and is used for modern or foreign royal figures, while 'князь' carries a more distinctly Russian or Slavic cultural weight, often linked to medieval history. Choose 'принц' for contemporary or international contexts, and 'князь' for Russian-specific narratives. Be mindful of case endings in sentences, as Russian requires agreement with other words. For example, in formal writing, always decline properly to avoid grammatical errors.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'принц' interchangeably with 'князь' without context. Incorrect: "Князь William" (mixing Russian and English titles). Correct: "Принц Уильям" for British royalty. Explanation: 'Князь' implies a different cultural tradition, so it can confuse the meaning in modern contexts.
• Mistake: Forgetting noun declensions, e.g., saying "Я видел принц" instead of "Я видел принца". Incorrect: "Я видел принц". Correct: "Я видел принца". Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case; here, accusative case is needed after "видел".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'князь' evokes images of ancient Slavic warriors and leaders, such as in epic tales like those of Prince Vladimir or Alexander Nevsky, symbolizing national heroism and Orthodox Christianity. 'Принц', on the other hand, is often associated with Western fairy tales (e.g., in adaptations of Cinderella), highlighting a romanticized view of European royalty that contrasts with Russia's historical self-image.

Related Concepts:

• царевич (tsarevich)
• император (imperator)
• аристократ (aristokrat)