Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'state'

English Word: state

Key Russian Translations:

• государство [ɡəsʊˈdarstvə] - [Formal, used for political or governmental entities]
• состояние [səstɐˈjanʲije] - [General, neutral in most contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in formal discussions, news, and everyday language regarding politics or conditions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding noun declensions and contextual usage; for 'государство', it may be B2 due to formal connotations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

государство: [ɡəsʊˈdarstvə]

состояние: [səstɐˈjanʲije]

Note on государство: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the initial 'г' sound, which is a voiced velar fricative. For состояние, the 'я' in the middle can vary slightly in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A nation or territory considered as an organized political community.

Translation(s) & Context:

• государство - Used in formal, political, or legal contexts, such as discussing international relations or government structures.

Usage Examples:

• Россия является большим государством с богатой историей.

  Russia is a large state with a rich history.

• Это государство известно своей стабильной экономикой.

  This state is known for its stable economy.

• В современном мире государства часто сотрудничают в решении глобальных проблем.

  In the modern world, states often collaborate to solve global issues.

• Государство должно защищать права своих граждан.

  The state must protect the rights of its citizens.

2. A condition or situation at a particular time.

Translation(s) & Context:

• состояние - Used in everyday, medical, or technical contexts, such as describing health, emotions, or object conditions.

Usage Examples:

• Его состояние здоровья улучшается после лечения.

  His state of health is improving after treatment.

• Какое состояние вашего автомобиля?

  What is the state of your car?

• Эмоциональное состояние влияет на продуктивность работы.

  Emotional state affects work productivity.

• В состоянии шока она не могла говорить.

  In a state of shock, she couldn't speak.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'государство' and 'состояние' are neuter nouns in Russian, which follow standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. They are inflected based on case, number, and gender.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular inflections but must agree with adjectives and verbs in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for государство: страна (strana) - More general term for country; республика (respublika) - Specifically for republics.
• Synonyms for состояние: положение (polozheniye) - Often used interchangeably for condition or situation; статус (status) - Borrowed from English, used in modern contexts.
• Antonyms for государство: анархия (anarkhiya) - Implies lack of organized state.
• Antonyms for состояние: хаос (khaos) - Chaos or disorder, opposite of a stable state.

Related Phrases:

• Государство правовое - A state governed by the rule of law; refers to a legal system ensuring justice and rights.
• Состояние здоровья - State of health; commonly used in medical discussions.
• В состоянии войны - In a state of war; indicates a formal conflict situation.
• Государство и общество - State and society; a phrase discussing the relationship between government and citizens.

Usage Notes:

The English word 'state' translates differently in Russian based on context: 'государство' for political entities and 'состояние' for conditions. Use 'государство' in formal or official settings, as it carries a weightier connotation. For everyday situations, 'состояние' is more versatile. Be mindful of Russian case declensions when using these words in sentences. When choosing between translations, consider the nuance—'государство' implies sovereignty, while 'состояние' is more about temporary or descriptive states.

• In political contexts, 'государство' pairs well with verbs like 'управлять' (to govern).
• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; adapt based on sentence structure.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse the declensions, such as using the nominative form in all cases. For example, incorrectly saying "в государство" instead of the correct "в государстве" (in the state). Another error is mixing up 'государство' and 'состояние' in contexts, like using 'государство' for emotional states, which should be 'состояние'. Correct usage: Instead of "Моё государство грусти" (wrong), say "Моё состояние грусти" (My state of sadness), as it properly conveys an emotional condition.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'государство' often evokes historical references to the Russian Empire or the Soviet Union, symbolizing centralized power and national identity. This can carry patriotic connotations in media or literature. 'Состояние' is more neutral but may reflect Russia's emphasis on resilience in discussions of economic or personal 'states', influenced by historical hardships like wars and reforms.

Related Concepts:

• нация (natsiya)
• правительство (pravitelstvo)
• экономика (ekonomika)
• эмоции (emotsii)