Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'retreat'

English Word: retreat

Key Russian Translations:

• Отступление (ɐtˈstupʲlʲenʲje) - [Formal, Noun, Used in military or strategic contexts]
• Убежище (ʊˈbʲeʐɨʂʲe) - [Informal/Neutral, Noun, Plural form possible]

Frequency: Medium (Common in historical, military, and everyday discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of noun declensions and context-specific usage for "Отступление". For "Убежище", also B1, as it involves basic noun forms).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Отступление: ɐtˈstupʲlʲenʲje

Note on Отступление: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft, flowing ending.

Убежище: ʊˈbʲeʐɨʂʲe

Note on Убежище: The 'ж' is a voiced fricative, similar to the 's' in "measure", and the word often has a soft ending in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Withdrawal or pulling back, often in a military or strategic sense.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Отступление - Used in formal contexts like battles or negotiations, implying a tactical move rather than defeat.

Usage Examples:

• Во время войны армия была вынуждена к отступлению. (During the war, the army was forced to retreat.)

  Translation: During the war, the army was forced to retreat.

• Стратегическое отступление позволило им перегруппироваться. (The strategic retreat allowed them to regroup.)

  Translation: The strategic retreat allowed them to regroup.

• В бизнесе иногда отступление – это мудрый выбор. (In business, sometimes a retreat is a wise choice.)

  Translation: In business, sometimes a retreat is a wise choice.

• После неудачи, отступление помогло сохранить силы. (After the failure, the retreat helped preserve their strength.)

  Translation: After the failure, the retreat helped preserve their strength.

Meaning 2: A place of seclusion, rest, or safety.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Убежище - Used in everyday contexts for physical or metaphorical safe havens, such as a hideout or a spiritual retreat.

Usage Examples:

• Они нашли убежище в горах во время бури. (They found a retreat in the mountains during the storm.)

  Translation: They found a retreat in the mountains during the storm.

• Это старое поместье служит убежищем для писателей. (This old estate serves as a retreat for writers.)

  Translation: This old estate serves as a retreat for writers.

• В повседневной жизни, убежище – это место для размышлений. (In everyday life, a retreat is a place for reflection.)

  Translation: In everyday life, a retreat is a place for reflection.

• Семья использовала дом как убежище от городской суеты. (The family used the house as a retreat from urban hustle.)

  Translation: The family used the house as a retreat from urban hustle.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Отступление" and "Убежище" are Russian nouns, which typically follow declension patterns. Russian nouns change based on case, number, and gender. "Отступление" is a neuter noun, and "Убежище" is also neuter. Below are tables for their declensions in singular and plural forms.

For "Отступление" (Neuter, 2nd declension):

For "Убежище" (Neuter, 2nd declension, with some irregularities in plural):

Note: These nouns do not change in gender but follow standard patterns; however, plural forms can vary slightly in informal speech.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Отступ (A shorter, more informal synonym for "Отступление", often used in military slang)
  • Приют (Similar to "Убежище", implying a safe haven with a connotation of warmth)
• Antonyms:
  • Атака (Attack, opposite of withdrawal)
  • Экспозиция (Exposure, opposite of a safe retreat)

Related Phrases:

• Тактическое отступление – (Tactical retreat; a strategic withdrawal in military contexts.)
• Найти убежище – (To find refuge; used for seeking safety in emergencies.)
• Отступление в горы – (Retreat to the mountains; implies escaping to a secluded area for rest.)

Usage Notes:

"Retreat" in English can translate to "Отступление" when referring to a backward movement, especially in formal or historical contexts, but it's less common in casual Russian speech. For a place of seclusion, "Убежище" is more appropriate and aligns with everyday usage. Be mindful of the noun's declension based on sentence structure; for example, use genitive case after prepositions like "от" (from). When choosing between translations, opt for "Отступление" in strategic discussions and "Убежище" for personal or emotional contexts. Russian often emphasizes context more than English, so pair these words with verbs like "совершить" (to carry out) for actions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "Отступление" with "Отступ" and using it incorrectly in formal writing. Correct: Use "Отступление" in full for precision; Example of error: "Мы сделали отступ" (incorrect, as it's too informal); Correct: "Мы сделали отступление". Explanation: "Отступ" is slang and may sound unprofessional.

• Error: Forgetting declension, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Correct: In a sentence like "Я думаю об отступлении" (I think about the retreat), use genitive "отступления"; Error example: "Я думаю об отступление" (incorrect form). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "Отступление" often carries historical weight, referencing events like the Soviet retreats in World War II, symbolizing resilience rather than defeat. "Убежище" can evoke themes from Russian literature, such as in Tolstoy's works, where retreats represent introspection and escape from societal pressures, highlighting the cultural value of solitude and reflection.

Related Concepts:

• Атака
• Приют
• Изоляция