Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'repressive'

English Word: repressive

Key Russian Translations:

• репрессивный [rʲɪˈprʲesʲɪvnɨj] - [Formal, often used in political or legal contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions of politics, history, or social issues, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate - Requires familiarity with Russian adjectives and formal vocabulary; suitable for learners with a solid intermediate grasp of the language)

Pronunciation (Russian):

репрессивный: [rʲɪˈprʲesʲɪvnɨj]

Note on репрессивный: Stress falls on the third syllable ("es"). The "рʲ" sound is a palatalized 'r', which can be challenging for non-native speakers; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Oppressive or controlling, often referring to systems, policies, or behaviors that suppress freedom or dissent.

Translation(s) & Context:

• репрессивный - Used in formal contexts such as political analysis, legal discussions, or historical descriptions, where it describes actions or regimes that enforce control through force or restrictions.

Usage Examples:

• Правительство ввело репрессивные меры для подавления протестов.

  The government introduced repressive measures to suppress the protests.

• Репрессивный режим в стране привел к массовым эмиграциям.

  The repressive regime in the country led to mass emigrations.

• В истории есть примеры репрессивных законов, ограничивающих свободу слова.

  History has examples of repressive laws that limit freedom of speech.

• Экономические санкции могут быть репрессивными, если они чрезмерно жесткие.

  Economic sanctions can be repressive if they are excessively harsh.

• Репрессивные политики часто вызывают сопротивление среди населения.

  Repressive policies often provoke resistance among the population.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Репрессивный" is an adjective in Russian, which means it inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for adjectives ending in -ый/-ий. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners, but always ensure agreement with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • угнетательский (ugnetatel'skiy) - More emphasis on oppression through exploitation.
  • подавляющий (podavlyayushchiy) - Focuses on suppression or overwhelming force, often in emotional contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • либеральный (liberal'nyy) - Implies openness and freedom.
  • демократический (demokraticheskiy) - Suggests participatory and non-coercive systems.

Related Phrases:

• Репрессивный режим - A repressive regime; refers to authoritarian governments that use force to maintain control.
• Репрессивные меры - Repressive measures; common in contexts of law enforcement or policy implementation.
• Репрессивная политика - Repressive policy; often used in historical or political discussions to describe state actions.

Usage Notes:

"Репрессивный" directly corresponds to the English "repressive" in formal contexts, but it's more commonly used in Russian for political or historical narratives rather than everyday speech. Be mindful of grammatical agreement: always match the adjective's form to the noun it describes (e.g., "репрессивный режим" for masculine singular). In informal settings, Russians might opt for simpler synonyms like "подавляющий" to avoid sounding overly academic. When choosing between translations, use "репрессивный" for precise, formal equivalence to "repressive," especially in written or professional contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "репрессивный" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "репрессивный политика" instead of "репрессивная политика" (for feminine noun).

  Correct: Ensure gender agreement, as in "репрессивная политика." Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with their nouns in gender, number, and case, unlike English where "repressive" remains unchanged.

• Error: Confusing it with "репрессия" (repression as a noun), leading to misuse like treating "репрессивный" as a verb form.

  Correct: "Репрессивный" is an adjective, not a noun. For example, say "репрессивные действия" instead of incorrectly verbifying it. Explanation: English learners often mix parts of speech; remember, it's always descriptive in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, "репрессивный" is often associated with the Soviet era, particularly the Stalinist purges known as the Great Terror, where repressive policies led to widespread arrests and executions. This word carries a strong connotation of state control and human rights abuses, making it a sensitive term in modern discussions about authoritarianism in Russia or former Soviet states.

Related Concepts:

• цензура (tsenzura)
• тоталитаризм (totalitarizm)
• диктатура (diktatura)