Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'republic'

English Word: republic

Key Russian Translations:

• республика /rɪˈspublʲɪkə/ - [Formal, Used in political, administrative, and geographical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly encountered in news, history, and formal discussions about governance)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level, as it involves understanding Russian noun declensions and formal vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

республика: /rɪˈspublʲɪkə/

Note on республика: The stress falls on the third syllable ("bli"), and the "лʲ" represents a palatalized 'l' sound, which is common in Russian but may be challenging for English speakers. Practice the soft consonants for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A state or country where supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, often with a president as head of state.

Translation(s) & Context:

• республика - Typically used in formal contexts for political entities, such as countries or administrative divisions in Russia; contrasts with monarchies or dictatorships.

Usage Examples:

• Россия является федеративным государством, состоящим из нескольких республик.

  Russia is a federal state consisting of several republics.

• Французская республика известна своей демократической системой правления.

  The French Republic is known for its democratic system of government.

• В этой республике проводятся регулярные выборы для избрания президента.

  In this republic, regular elections are held to elect the president.

• Республика Татарстан — один из субъектов Российской Федерации.

  The Republic of Tatarstan is one of the subjects of the Russian Federation.

• Граждане республики активно участвуют в политических реформах.

  Citizens of the republic actively participate in political reforms.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Республика" is a feminine noun in the first declension group. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, changing based on case and number. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This word is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • государство (gosudarstvo) - More general term for a state or country, often used interchangeably in broader contexts.
  • демократия (demokratiya) - Emphasizes the democratic aspect, with subtle differences in focus on governance style.
• Antonyms:
  • монархия (monarkhiya) - Refers to a monarchy, highlighting the opposite system of government.
  • диктатура (diktatura) - Indicates a dictatorship, contrasting with the republican ideals of popular sovereignty.

Related Phrases:

• Республика Куба - The Republic of Cuba; Used when referring to sovereign nations by their official name.
• Федеративная республика - Federal republic; Common in discussions of government structures, such as in Germany or Brazil.
• Автономная республика - Autonomous republic; Refers to semi-independent regions within a larger state, like in Russia.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "республика" directly corresponds to the English "republic" but is often used in formal or official contexts, such as legal documents or news reports. It is neutral in tone and can refer to both independent countries (e.g., French Republic) and subnational entities (e.g., in Russia). When choosing between translations, opt for "республика" in political discussions; avoid it in everyday casual talk where "страна" (country) might suffice. Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian case rules to ensure sentence accuracy.

Common Errors:

• English learners often forget to decline "республика" correctly, e.g., using the nominative form in all cases. Incorrect: "Я еду в республика" (wrong case). Correct: "Я еду в республику" (accusative case). This error stems from English's lack of declensions and can make sentences sound unnatural.

• Confusing it with synonyms: Learners might overuse "государство" when "республика" is more precise for republican systems. Explanation: Always check the context; if the emphasis is on elected representation, stick with "республика."

Cultural Notes:

In the context of Russian culture and history, "республика" often refers to the autonomous republics within the Russian Federation, such as Tatarstan or Bashkortostan. These entities have their own languages, cultures, and varying degrees of autonomy, reflecting Russia's federal structure. This term carries historical connotations from the Soviet era, where it denoted ethnic-based administrative divisions, helping to preserve cultural diversity amid centralization.

Related Concepts:

• федерация (federatsiya)
• демократия (demokratiya)
• конституция (konstitutsiya)