Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'putsch'

English Word: putsch

Key Russian Translations:

• путч /putʂ/ - [Formal, Political Context]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in news, historical discussions, and political analysis, but not in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of political terminology and basic Russian noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

путч: /putʂ/

Note on путч: The "ч" sound is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to the "ch" in the Scottish "loch." Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional accents, but this IPA represents standard Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A sudden and violent attempt to overthrow a government or seize power illegally

Translation(s) & Context:

• путч - Used in formal political discussions, such as historical events or news reports about attempted coups. This term is a direct borrowing from German via English and is common in Russian media.

Usage Examples:

• В 1991 году в Москве произошёл путч, который попытался свергнуть президента.

  In 1991, a putsch occurred in Moscow that attempted to overthrow the president.

• Правительство быстро подавило путч, не позволив мятежникам захватить власть.

  The government quickly suppressed the putsch, preventing the rebels from seizing power.

• В истории России путч 1991 года остаётся одним из самых драматических событий.

  In Russian history, the 1991 putsch remains one of the most dramatic events.

• Международные СМИ освещали возможный путч в маленькой стране как угрозу стабильности региона.

  International media covered the possible putsch in the small country as a threat to regional stability.

• Студенты на уроке истории обсуждали, как путч может повлиять на экономику страны.

  Students in the history class discussed how a putsch could affect the country's economy.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Путч" is a masculine noun (masc. inanimate) in Russian, borrowed from German, and it follows standard declension patterns for nouns ending in a consonant. It is not irregular but can change based on case and number. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: The plural form is less commonly used, as "putsch" typically refers to a singular event, but it can be applied to multiple instances in historical contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • переворот (more general term for overthrow, often implying a broader revolution)
  • мятеж (rebellion, with a connotation of uprising against authority)
• Antonyms:
  • стабильность (stability, as it contrasts with the disruptive nature of a putsch)
  • мирный переход власти (peaceful power transition)

Related Phrases:

• Военный путч - A military putsch; refers to a coup led by the armed forces.
• Попытка путча - Attempted putsch; used for failed or ongoing efforts.
• Государственный путч - State putsch; implies involvement at the highest levels of government.

Usage Notes:

"Путч" directly corresponds to the English "putsch" as a term for a sudden, illegal seizure of power, often in a political context. It is typically used in formal or journalistic settings rather than casual conversation. When translating, choose "путч" for specific historical events like the 1991 Soviet coup, but consider synonyms like "переворот" for more general upheavals. Be mindful of grammatical gender (masculine) and always decline it according to the sentence structure. For English learners, note that Russian often pairs this word with adjectives for context, such as "военный" (military) or "неудачный" (unsuccessful).

Common Errors:

• Confusing "путч" with "путч" in pronunciation: Learners might mispronounce the "ч" sound as a hard "ch" like in "church" instead of the softer Russian fricative. Correct: /putʂ/. Error example: Saying "putch" as /putʃ/ (which sounds more like English). Explanation: This can make the word unintelligible; practice with native audio to master the sound.

• Using it in the wrong context: Beginners might use "путч" for any protest, but it specifically means a violent overthrow attempt. Correct: "Произошёл путч в правительстве" (A putsch occurred in the government). Error example: "Путч на митинге" (incorrect for a simple rally). Explanation: Reserve it for scenarios involving power grabs, not everyday demonstrations.

Cultural Notes:

The term "путч" is deeply tied to Russian history, most notably the August 1991 Soviet coup attempt against Mikhail Gorbachev, which accelerated the USSR's dissolution. In Russian culture, it evokes themes of political instability and the fragility of authoritarian regimes, often discussed in educational and media contexts to highlight lessons from the past.

Related Concepts:

• революция (revolution)
• мятеж (rebellion)
• переворот (overthrow)