Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'reign'

English Word: reign

Key Russian Translations:

• правление [ˈpravlʲenʲje] - [Noun, Formal]
• править [ˈpravʲitʲ] - [Verb, Formal]

Frequency: Medium (Common in historical, political, and literary contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun and verb inflections, suitable for learners with a grasp of basic grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

правление: [ˈpravlʲenʲje]

Note on правление: The stress is on the first syllable. The "лʲ" represents a palatalized "l" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; it's softer than in English.

Audio: []

править: [ˈpravʲitʲ]

Note on править: Stress on the first syllable. The "вʲ" is a palatalized "v," making it sound more like a soft "v" before the "i." This verb often involves conjugation, which affects pronunciation in different forms.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As a noun: Period of rule by a monarch or leader

Translation(s) & Context:

• правление - Used in formal, historical, or political contexts to refer to a reign or term of authority, often implying stability or governance.

Usage Examples:

• Во время правления Петра Великого Россия превратилась в великую державу.

  During the reign of Peter the Great, Russia transformed into a great power.

• Её правление ознаменовалось реформами и экономическим ростом.

  Her reign was marked by reforms and economic growth.

• Правление династии Романовых длилось более трёх веков.

  The reign of the Romanov dynasty lasted for more than three centuries.

• Конец его правления был полон конфликтов и восстаний.

  The end of his reign was full of conflicts and uprisings.

As a verb: To rule or govern as a monarch

Translation(s) & Context:

• править - Used in formal or historical narratives to describe the act of ruling, often in contexts involving authority, leadership, or monarchy.

Usage Examples:

• Царь правил страной мудро и справедливо на протяжении многих лет.

  The tsar reigned over the country wisely and fairly for many years.

• Она правила империей, внедряя прогрессивные изменения.

  She reigned over the empire, implementing progressive changes.

• В те времена короли правили с абсолютной властью.

  In those times, kings reigned with absolute power.

• Правитель продолжал править, несмотря на растущее недовольство народа.

  The ruler continued to reign despite growing discontent among the people.

• Он правил, опираясь на советников и традиции предков.

  He reigned, relying on advisors and ancestral traditions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For правление (neuter noun):

This is a neuter noun that follows the standard second declension pattern. It is invariable in gender but changes by case and number.

For править (verb, imperfective):

This is a first-conjugation verb with regular patterns. It conjugates based on tense, aspect, person, and number. Example in present tense:

Note: The perfective aspect is "править" in some contexts, but often paired with "управлять" for management.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • царствование (tsarstvovanie) - More specific to monarchical rule, often with a regal connotation.
  • власть (vlast') - General term for power or authority, but less formal than правление.
• Antonyms:
  • падение (padénie) - Fall or decline, contrasting with a period of rule.
  • подчинение (podchineniye) - Subordination or submission, opposite of ruling.

Related Phrases:

• Вступить в правление - To come to power or ascend to the throne (used in historical contexts to describe the start of a reign).
• Править жестко - To rule with an iron fist (implies strict or authoritarian governance).
• Конец правления - The end of a reign (often refers to abdication or overthrow in Russian history).

Usage Notes:

"Правление" directly corresponds to the noun form of "reign" and is best used in formal or historical writing, while "править" matches the verb form and emphasizes ongoing rule. English speakers should note that Russian verbs like "править" require aspect consideration (imperfective for ongoing actions). In everyday Russian, these words are more common in literature or discussions of politics rather than casual conversation. When choosing between translations, use "правление" for static periods and "править" for dynamic actions. Always consider the context's formality to avoid sounding overly archaic.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "правление" with "править": Learners might use the noun when a verb is needed, e.g., saying "Я правление страной" (incorrect) instead of "Я правлю страной" (correct). Explanation: "Правление" is a noun, so it can't function as a verb; always conjugate verbs properly.
• Incorrect inflection: For example, using "правление" in the wrong case, like "Во правлении" (incorrect) instead of "В правлении" (correct for prepositional case). This is common due to Russian's complex case system; always check the governing preposition.
• Overgeneralizing: Mistaking "править" for general leadership, e.g., using it for corporate management when "управлять" is more appropriate. Correct usage: Reserve "править" for monarchical or authoritative contexts to maintain precision.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "правление" and "править" are deeply tied to historical events, such as the reigns of tsars in the Romanov dynasty. They often carry connotations of autocracy and imperial legacy, reflecting Russia's monarchical past. For instance, discussing the reign of Ivan the Terrible highlights themes of power and reform, which are staples in Russian literature and education.

Related Concepts:

• монархия (monarchy)
• династия (dynasty)
• власть (power or authority)