Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'retinue'

English Word: retinue

Key Russian Translations:

• свита [ˈsvʲitə] - [Formal, used in historical or official contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation but appear in literature, historical texts, or formal descriptions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and contextual vocabulary, as per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

свита: [ˈsvʲitə]

Note on свита: The stress is on the first syllable. The 'sv' sound is a soft consonant cluster, which may be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 'sv' in "svelte" but with a Russian palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A group of attendants or followers accompanying an important person, often in a historical or formal context

Translation(s) & Context:

• свита - Typically used in formal, literary, or historical contexts to describe a noble's entourage; less common in modern everyday speech.

Usage Examples:

• Король прибыл в замок со своей свитой из верных рыцарей.

  The king arrived at the castle with his retinue of loyal knights.

• Президент всегда путешествует с большой свитой, включая охранников и советников.

  The president always travels with a large retinue, including guards and advisors.

• В исторических романах свита императора часто играет ключевую роль в интригах.

  In historical novels, the emperor's retinue often plays a key role in intrigues.

• Актер появился на красной ковровой дорожке с целой свитой ассистентов и стилистов.

  The actor appeared on the red carpet with an entire retinue of assistants and stylists.

• Во время фестиваля царь демонстрировал свою свиту, чтобы подчеркнуть своё величие.

  During the festival, the tsar displayed his retinue to emphasize his grandeur.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"свита" is a feminine noun in Russian, belonging to the first declension. It follows standard noun inflection patterns for case and number. As a common noun, it changes based on grammatical case but remains singular in most contexts related to "retinue."

Note: This noun does not have irregular inflections but must agree with adjectives and verbs in gender, number, and case. For plural forms (though less common for "retinue"), it would follow standard patterns, e.g., Nominative plural: свиты.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • окружение (okruzhenie) - More general, referring to surroundings or entourage; often used in modern contexts.
  • эскорт (eskort) - Implies a protective or accompanying group, with a slight military connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • одиночество (odinočestvo) - Solitude or isolation, contrasting the idea of a group.
  • самоизоляция (samoisoljacija) - Self-isolation, emphasizing being alone.

Related Phrases:

• царская свита (carskaja svita) - The tsar's retinue; refers to the entourage of a Russian monarch, often in historical contexts.
• свита придворных (svita pridvornyh) - Retinue of courtiers; used to describe noble followers in a royal court.
• путевая свита (putevaja svita) - Traveling retinue; implies a group accompanying someone on a journey.

Usage Notes:

The Russian translation "свита" directly corresponds to "retinue" in English, emphasizing a formal or historical group of followers. It is typically used in literary, historical, or official contexts rather than casual conversation. English speakers should note that Russian nouns like "свита" must decline based on case, so pay attention to sentence structure (e.g., use genitive for possession). If multiple translations are available, choose "свита" for precise historical accuracy, while "окружение" might suit modern equivalents. Avoid using it in informal settings, as it can sound archaic.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "свита" without proper case agreement, e.g., saying "с вера свита" instead of "с своей свитой" (with his retinue).

  Correct: "Он пришел с свитой" (He came with the retinue). Explanation: Russian requires the instrumental case for "with," so "свитой" is needed, not the nominative "свита."

• Error: Confusing "свита" with "свитер" (sweater), which sounds similar but means clothing.

  Correct: Use "свита" only for entourages. Explanation: Pronunciation differences are key—[ˈsvʲitə] vs. [ˈsvʲitər]—to avoid mix-ups in vocabulary.

• Error: Overusing in modern contexts, e.g., applying it to a celebrity's assistants when "команда" (team) is more appropriate.

  Correct: Reserve for formal or historical settings. Explanation: This maintains the word's precise connotation and prevents dilution of meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "свита" often evokes images of imperial Russia, such as the entourages of tsars like Peter the Great or Nicholas II. It symbolizes the hierarchical structure of the Russian court, where loyalty and status were paramount. Understanding this term can deepen appreciation for Russian literature, like Tolstoy's works, where such retinues play roles in social dynamics.

Related Concepts:

• двор (dvor) - Court (as in royal court)
• придворные (pridvornye) - Courtiers
• императорский (imperatorskij) - Imperial