Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'race'

English Word: race

Key Russian Translations:

• раса [ˈrasə] - [Formal, Used in discussions of ethnicity or biology]
• гонка [ˈgonkə] - [Informal, Plural possible, Used in contexts of competition or speed]
• соревнование [sərʲɪvnovɐˈnʲije] - [Formal, Can be plural, Used for organized events or contests]

Frequency: Medium (e.g., "раса" is commonly used in academic and social discussions, while "гонка" appears frequently in everyday and sports contexts; overall, not as high-frequency as basic vocabulary but relevant in specific domains).

Difficulty: B1 for "раса" (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun declensions); B2 for "гонка" and "соревнование" (Upper-Intermediate, due to potential verb associations and contextual nuances).

Pronunciation (Russian):

раса: [ˈrasə]

гонка: [ˈgonkə]

соревнование: [sərʲɪvnovɐˈnʲije]

Note on гонка: The stress is on the first syllable; be cautious with the soft 'г' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers as it's more guttural than English 'g'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Ethnic or human race (referring to groups of people based on shared physical or cultural characteristics)

Translation(s) & Context:

• раса - Used in formal, academic, or sociological contexts, such as discussions on diversity or anthropology.

Usage Examples:

• В современном мире раса не должна определять возможности человека.

  In the modern world, race should not determine a person's opportunities.

• Исследования показывают, что понятие расы является социальным конструктом.

  Studies show that the concept of race is a social construct.

• В России дебаты о расе часто связаны с историческими миграциями.

  In Russia, debates about race are often linked to historical migrations.

• Образование помогает преодолеть предубеждения, основанные на расе.

  Education helps overcome prejudices based on race.

Meaning 2: A competition or contest (e.g., a race in sports or a metaphorical race against time)

Translation(s) & Context:

• гонка - Informal contexts, like sports, racing events, or figurative uses (e.g., a race to finish a task).
• соревнование - More formal settings, such as organized events, Olympics, or professional competitions.

Usage Examples:

• Автогонка в Москве привлекла тысячи зрителей.

  The car race in Moscow attracted thousands of spectators.

• Это была настоящая гонка с временем, чтобы успеть до заката.

  It was a real race against time to finish before sunset.

• Международное соревнование по бегу собрало атлетов со всего мира.

  The international running race gathered athletes from around the world.

• В бизнесе жизнь — это вечная гонка за инновациями.

  In business, life is an eternal race for innovations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "раса" (a feminine noun, 1st declension), it follows standard Russian noun patterns with regular inflections based on case and number. It does not have irregularities.

For "гонка" (also feminine, 1st declension), it inflects similarly but can be used in plural forms for multiple events. Example: Nominative singular: гонка; Plural: гонки.

"Соревнование" (neuter noun) has its own inflections: Nominative singular: соревнование; Plural: соревнования. It is generally regular but may vary in formal contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • раса: этнос (ethnos) - More specific to cultural groups.
  • гонка: забег (zabeg) - For foot races; скачка (skachka) - For horse races.
  • соревнование: конкурс (konkurs) - Often used for competitions with judging.
• Antonyms:
  • раса: нет прямого антонима, но противоположные концепции включают единство (unity) или интеграция (integration).
  • гонка: покой (pokoy) - Implies rest or absence of competition.
  • соревнование: сотрудничество (sotrudnichestvo) - Emphasizes collaboration over rivalry.

Related Phrases:

• Гонка вооружений - Arms race; refers to competitive military buildup.
• Расовая дискриминация - Racial discrimination; common in social justice contexts.
• Соревнование умов - Battle of wits; used for intellectual contests.
• Человеческая раса - Human race; philosophical or global discussions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "раса" directly corresponds to the English "race" in ethnic contexts but carries less emotional weight in everyday speech compared to English, often used more neutrally in scientific discussions. For "гонка", it's ideal for informal or dynamic scenarios, while "соревнование" is preferred in formal settings like sports events. Be mindful of grammar: nouns like these require correct case agreement, e.g., use genitive for possession. When choosing between translations, opt for "раса" in biological or anthropological topics and "гонка" for speed-based activities to ensure precision.

• Grammar tip: Always check for gender agreement; "раса" is feminine, affecting adjectives and verbs.
• Contextual advice: In modern Russian, discussions of "раса" may intersect with cultural sensitivity, so use formally to avoid offense.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "раса" with "нация" (nation), leading to incorrect usage in ethnic discussions. For example, an error might be: "Я из расы России" (incorrect, as it should be "Я из нации России" for nationality). Correct usage: "Раса человека не определяет его ценность." Explanation: "Раса" refers to broader ethnic groups, not citizenship. Another common mistake is misinflecting "гонка" in plural: saying "гонок" instead of "гонки" in nominative plural, which sounds unnatural; always follow standard declension rules.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "раса" is often discussed in the context of Soviet-era multiculturalism or post-Soviet identity politics, where ethnic diversity is emphasized in literature and media. For instance, works by authors like Tolstoy touch on racial themes indirectly through class and nationality, reflecting Russia's vast ethnic mosaic rather than the polarized racial debates seen in some Western contexts.

Related Concepts:

• этнос
• нация
• соревновательный дух
• дискриминация