Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'referendum'

English Word: referendum

Key Russian Translations:

• референдум [rʲɪfʲɪˈrʲendʊm] - [Formal, Used in political and legal contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This term is commonly used in news, politics, and academic discussions but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with political vocabulary and basic Russian noun inflections, suitable for learners with intermediate proficiency.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

референдум: [rʲɪfʲɪˈrʲendʊm]

Note on референдум: The stress falls on the third syllable ("rʲendʊm"). Pronunciation may vary slightly by region, with a softer 'r' in standard Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A direct vote by the electorate on a specific issue, often in politics.

Translation(s) & Context:

• референдум - Used in formal contexts such as national or local voting on laws, constitutions, or major decisions.

Usage Examples:

• В стране проводится референдум по вопросу изменения конституции.

  In the country, a referendum is being held on the issue of changing the constitution.

• Результаты референдума повлияют на будущее Евросоюза.

  The results of the referendum will influence the future of the European Union.

• Граждане активно обсуждают предстоящий референдум в СМИ.

  Citizens are actively discussing the upcoming referendum in the media.

• Референдум был объявлен после массовых протестов.

  The referendum was announced following mass protests.

• Международные наблюдатели контролируют референдум на честность.

  International observers are monitoring the referendum for fairness.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"референдум" is a masculine noun (мужской род) that follows the first declension pattern for borrowed words. It has regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table of its forms:

Note: This noun is invariable in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: плебисцит (plebiscite - often used interchangeably but implies a more direct public vote)
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as this is a specific process rather than a concept with opposites.

Related Phrases:

• национальный референдум - National referendum; refers to a country-wide vote on major issues.
• местный референдум - Local referendum; used for community-level decisions, such as municipal laws.
• референдум о независимости - Referendum on independence; a common phrase in discussions of separatism or sovereignty.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "референдум" directly corresponds to the English "referendum" and is used in formal, political contexts. It is typically neutral in tone but carries a sense of democratic process. When translating, ensure the context specifies the type of vote (e.g., national vs. local). In Russian, it must agree with case and number in sentences, so learners should pay attention to declensions. If multiple translations exist, "референдум" is the most precise and commonly used; opt for "плебисцит" only if emphasizing public initiative.

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing as [rɛfəˈrɛndəm] (influenced by English). Correct: [rʲɪfʲɪˈrʲendʊm]. Explanation: Russian has softer consonants and specific stress patterns; practice with native audio to avoid anglicizing the word.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., using "референдум" in genitive as "референдум" instead of "референдума". Correct: Вопрос референдума (The issue of the referendum). Explanation: Forgetting case endings is common for beginners; always check the sentence structure for proper agreement.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and politics, "референдум" often relates to significant historical events, such as the 1991 Soviet Union referendum on preserving the union. It symbolizes democratic participation but can also be associated with political tensions, as seen in modern contexts like Crimea's status referendum in 2014, which remains controversial internationally.

Related Concepts:

• выборы (vybory - elections)
• голосование (golososvanie - voting)
• конституция (konstitutisya - constitution)