Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'resistance'

English Word: resistance

Key Russian Translations:

• сопротивление [səprətʲɪˈvlʲenʲɪje] - [Formal, used in contexts like physics, politics, or military]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in scientific, historical, and political discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual usage, as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сопротивление: [səprətʲɪˈvlʲenʲɪje]

Note on сопротивление: The stress falls on the fourth syllable (-'vlʲenʲ-), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants (e.g., 'tʲ' and 'lʲ'). Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The act of opposing or withstanding force, pressure, or change (e.g., in physics, politics, or everyday resistance).

Translation(s) & Context:

• сопротивление - Used in formal contexts like scientific discussions or historical events, such as resistance in warfare or electrical resistance.

Usage Examples:

• Война встретила сильное сопротивление со стороны местного населения.

  The war encountered strong resistance from the local population.

• Электрическое сопротивление провода измеряется в омах.

  The electrical resistance of the wire is measured in ohms.

• Ее речь о сопротивлении тирании вдохновила тысячи людей.

  Her speech on resistance to tyranny inspired thousands of people.

• Сопротивление изменениям часто тормозит прогресс в обществе.

  Resistance to change often hinders progress in society.

Meaning 2: A group or force that actively fights against an occupying power or oppression.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сопротивление - Often used in historical or military contexts, implying organized opposition.

Usage Examples:

• Подпольное сопротивление в годы войны сыграло ключевую роль в освобождении страны.

  The underground resistance during the war played a key role in the country's liberation.

• Лидеры сопротивления встретились тайно, чтобы спланировать атаку.

  The leaders of the resistance met secretly to plan the attack.

• Сопротивление оккупации включало саботаж и пропаганду.

  Resistance to the occupation involved sabotage and propaganda.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Сопротивление" is a neuter noun in Russian, which follows the standard third declension pattern. It is inflected based on case, number, and gender. As a neuter noun ending in -ие, it has regular declensions but no plural form in most contexts (it remains singular). Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, but always pay attention to the ending based on the case for correct sentence structure.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • оппозиция (opposition) - More political, implying organized disagreement.
  • протест (protest) - Often used for public demonstrations, with a connotation of active vocal resistance.
• Antonyms:
  • подчинение (submission) - Implies yielding or accepting authority without fight.
  • согласие (agreement) - Used when there is no opposition or resistance.

Related Phrases:

• оказывать сопротивление - To offer resistance; often used in contexts of conflict or defiance.
• пассивное сопротивление - Passive resistance; refers to non-violent opposition, like in civil rights movements.
• вооруженное сопротивление - Armed resistance; specifically for military or revolutionary contexts.

Usage Notes:

• While "resistance" directly translates to "сопротивление," English users should note that Russian often requires the noun to be inflected based on its role in the sentence (e.g., genitive for possession). Choose "сопротивление" for formal or technical contexts; for everyday speech, alternatives like "протест" might feel more natural.
• In political or historical discussions, "сопротивление" carries a weighty connotation, especially in Russian culture, so avoid overuse in casual conversations to prevent sounding overly dramatic.
• When translating from English, consider the specific type of resistance: physical (e.g., electrical) vs. social (e.g., rebellion), as this influences word choice and grammar.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the nominative form "сопротивление" in all cases, e.g., "Я думаю о сопротивление" instead of "Я думаю о сопротивлении" (genitive case). Correct: "Я думаю о сопротивлении." Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case; here, the preposition "о" requires genitive.
• Error: Confusing it with similar words like "сопротив" (a misspelling or incomplete form). Correct: Always use the full "сопротивление." Explanation: This is a common typo for English learners, leading to incomprehensibility.
• Error: Over-literal translation, e.g., using "сопротивление" for minor disagreements when "протест" is more appropriate. Correct: Assess context; use "сопротивление" for significant opposition. Explanation: This can make speech sound exaggerated or incorrect in nuance.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, "сопротивление" often evokes memories of events like World War II resistance against Nazi occupation or the Soviet-era dissident movements. It carries a heroic connotation, symbolizing national resilience and defiance, which can add emotional depth to its usage in literature or media.

Related Concepts:

• революция (revolution)
• оппозиция (opposition)
• саботаж (sabotage)