Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'privilege'

English Word: privilege

Key Russian Translations:

• привилегия (/prʲɪvʲɪˈlʲeɡʲɪjə/) - [Formal]
• преимущество (/prʲɪɪˈmuɕːɪstvə/) - [Formal, often implies a competitive edge]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in legal, social, and academic contexts, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and formal vocabulary; for 'привилегия', B2; for 'преимущество', B1 as it's slightly more common)

Pronunciation (Russian):

привилегия: /prʲɪvʲɪˈlʲeɡʲɪjə/

преимущество: /prʲɪɪˈmuɕːɪstvə/

Note on привилегия: The stress is on the fourth syllable ('le-'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants; a common variant in fast speech might soften the 'g' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A special right or advantage granted to a particular person or group.

Translation(s) & Context:

• привилегия - Used in formal contexts like law or social discussions to denote exclusive rights.
• преимущество - Applied when the privilege provides an edge, such as in business or competitions.

Usage Examples:

• В современном обществе привилегия высшего образования часто даёт лучшие карьерные возможности.

  In modern society, the privilege of higher education often provides better career opportunities.

• Эта привилегия доступна только членам элитного клуба.

  This privilege is available only to members of the elite club.

• Преимущество дипломата — это иммунитет от местных законов в некоторых случаях.

  The privilege of a diplomat is immunity from local laws in certain cases.

• Какое преимущество имеет эта политика для меньшинств?

  What privilege does this policy provide for minorities?

• Привилегия рождения в богатой семье может повлиять на всю жизнь.

  The privilege of being born into a wealthy family can influence one's entire life.

Meaning 2: A benefit or advantage that is not available to everyone.

Translation(s) & Context:

• привилегия - In broader social contexts, emphasizing inequality or exclusivity.
• преимущество - Often in everyday or professional settings to highlight practical benefits.

Usage Examples:

• В демократическом обществе никто не должен иметь привилегию над другими.

  In a democratic society, no one should have a privilege over others.

• Преимущество этой технологии — её скорость и эффективность.

  The privilege of this technology is its speed and efficiency.

• Привилегия путешествовать без визы — редкое преимущество для граждан ЕС.

  The privilege of traveling without a visa is a rare advantage for EU citizens.

• Это преимущество даёт компании конкурентное преимущество на рынке.

  This privilege gives the company a competitive edge in the market.

• Привилегия быть первым в очереди иногда приводит к злоупотреблениям.

  The privilege of being first in line can sometimes lead to abuses.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'привилегия' and 'преимущество' are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard feminine declension patterns. 'Привилегия' is a third-declension noun, while 'преимущество' is more regular. Below is a table outlining their key inflections:

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, but pay attention to the soft endings in genitive and dative cases, which are common in Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • преференция (/prʲɪfʲɪˈrʲentsʲɪjə/) - Often used in business contexts, implying a specific favor.
  • льгота (/lʲfɐˈtɔ/) - More common for tax or financial privileges, with a nuance of relief.
• Antonyms:
  • обязанность (/ɐbəˈzannəstʲ/) - Duty or obligation, contrasting the idea of advantage.
  • ограничение (/ɐgraniˈtɕenʲɪje/) - Restriction, highlighting the opposite of freedom or advantage.

Related Phrases:

• привилегированный класс (/prʲɪvʲɪˈlʲeɡʲɪrəvnɨj ˈklas/) - Privileged class; refers to a social group with special advantages.
• потерять преимущество (/pəˈtʲerətʲ prʲɪɪˈmuɕːɪstvə/) - To lose an advantage; used in competitive scenarios.
• иметь привилегию говорить (/ˈimʲetʲ prʲɪvʲɪˈlʲeɡʲɪjə ɡɐvɐˈrʲitʲ/) - To have the privilege to speak; common in formal debates.

Usage Notes:

'Привилегия' directly corresponds to 'privilege' in English, emphasizing exclusive rights, and is best used in formal or written contexts. 'Преимущество' is more versatile and can translate to 'advantage' or 'privilege' depending on context, but avoid it for legal terms. English learners should note that Russian nouns like these require declension based on case, so always adjust for grammar (e.g., use genitive after prepositions like 'of'). When choosing between translations, opt for 'привилегия' for social inequality discussions and 'преимущество' for practical benefits. Be mindful of the formal tone; in casual speech, simpler alternatives might be preferred.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'привилегия' without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я имею привилегия" instead of "Я имею привилегию" (accusative case). Correct: Always decline based on sentence role; explanation: Russian nouns change endings to show their function, unlike English.

• Error: Confusing 'привилегия' with 'преимущество' in legal contexts, e.g., translating "diplomatic privilege" as 'преимущество дипломата' when 'привилегия дипломата' is more accurate. Correct: Use 'привилегия' for rights-based privileges; explanation: This mix-up can alter the meaning, making it sound like a general advantage rather than a specific entitlement.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'привилегия' often tie into historical contexts such as the Soviet era, where privileges (e.g., access to better goods for party members) highlighted social inequalities. This can evoke discussions on fairness and elitism, reflecting ongoing debates in modern Russia about wealth disparities and access to opportunities.

Related Concepts:

• равенство (/rɐˈvʲenstvə/)
• дискриминация (/dʲɪskrʲɪmʲɪˈnaʦʲɪjə/)
• социальное неравенство (/səʦʲɪˈalʲnəjə nʲɪˈravʲənstvə/)