Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'revolutionary'

English Word: revolutionary

Key Russian Translations:

• революционный [rʲɪvɐlut͡sɨˈonːɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• революционер [rʲɪvɐlut͡sɨɐˈnʲer] - [Formal, Noun, Refers to a person involved in revolution]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly used in historical, political, and academic contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian historical vocabulary and adjective/noun inflections, based on CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

революционный: [rʲɪvɐlut͡sɨˈonːɨj]

Note on революционный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("on-"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's complex stress patterns. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

революционер: [rʲɪvɐlut͡sɨɐˈnʲer]

Note on революционер: The final "er" sound is soft and palatalized, similar to the English "y" in "yes." Be mindful of the rolled 'r' at the beginning.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As an adjective: Relating to or characteristic of a revolution, involving fundamental change.

Translation(s) & Context:

• революционный - Used in formal contexts such as history, politics, or social discussions to describe revolutionary ideas, events, or movements.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Русская революция 1917 года была революционной вехой в мировой истории.

  English translation: The Russian Revolution of 1917 was a revolutionary milestone in world history.

• Русский пример: Революционные технологии изменили нашу повседневную жизнь.

  English translation: Revolutionary technologies have changed our everyday life.

• Русский пример: В его речах звучали революционные идеи, которые вдохновляли молодежь.

  English translation: His speeches contained revolutionary ideas that inspired the youth.

• Русский пример: Революционный подход к образованию может решить многие проблемы.

  English translation: A revolutionary approach to education could solve many problems.

As a noun: A person who promotes or engages in revolution.

Translation(s) & Context:

• революционер - Typically used in historical or biographical contexts to refer to individuals like Lenin or Trotsky, often in formal writing or discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Ленин был известным революционером, который возглавил Октябрьскую революцию.

  English translation: Lenin was a famous revolutionary who led the October Revolution.

• Русский пример: Многие революционеры XIX века боролись за свободу и равенство.

  English translation: Many revolutionaries of the 19th century fought for freedom and equality.

• Русский пример: Современные революционеры используют социальные сети для распространения идей.

  English translation: Modern revolutionaries use social media to spread ideas.

• Русский пример: Революционер должен быть готов к жертвам ради общей цели.

  English translation: A revolutionary must be prepared to make sacrifices for the common goal.

• Русский пример: В музее выставлены портреты известных революционеров.

  English translation: The museum displays portraits of famous revolutionaries.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

революционный (adjective) follows standard Russian adjective patterns, which include gender, number, and case inflections. It is a regular adjective and changes based on agreement with the noun it modifies.

революционер (noun) is a masculine noun of the second declension and has regular inflections for case and number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • радикальный (radicalnyy) - Often used interchangeably but implies more extreme change.
  • переворотный (pervorotnyy) - Specifically for overturning or upheaval, with a focus on suddenness.
• Antonyms:
  • консервативный (konservativnyy) - Emphasizes preservation of traditions.
  • традиционный (traditsionnyy) - Highlights adherence to established norms.

Related Phrases:

• Революционная война - A phrase referring to a war of revolution; used in historical contexts (e.g., American Revolutionary War equivalent).
• Революционные идеи - Common for discussing innovative or transformative concepts in politics or society.
• Великая Октябрьская революция - A fixed phrase for the Great October Revolution, carrying significant cultural weight.

Usage Notes:

The Russian translations of "revolutionary" are precise but context-dependent: use "революционный" for adjective forms and "революционер" for people. In formal Russian, these words are common in academic or historical writing, but avoid them in casual speech to prevent sounding overly dramatic. When choosing between translations, consider the grammatical role; for example, "революционный" must agree in gender, number, and case with its noun. English speakers should note that Russian often pairs these words with historical references, such as the Bolshevik era.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "революционный" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "революционный книга" instead of "революционная книга" for a feminine noun.
  Correct: Ensure agreement, as in "революционная книга" (revolutionary book). Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, which English adjectives do not.
• Mistake: Confusing "революционер" with "революция" (revolution), leading to incorrect usage like "революция был лидером."
  Correct: Use "революционер" for a person, e.g., "революционер был лидером." Explanation: "Революция" is a feminine noun meaning the event itself, not a person.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "революционный" and "революционер" are deeply tied to the history of the Russian Revolution (1917), symbolizing upheaval and change. They often evoke the Bolshevik era and figures like Lenin, carrying a mix of pride and controversy. For English users, understanding this context helps appreciate how these terms are used in literature, such as in works by Tolstoy or modern media, to discuss social transformation.

Related Concepts:

• социализм
• большевизм
• перестройка