Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'serf'

English Word: serf

Key Russian Translations:

• крепостной [krʲɪˈpostnəj] - [Formal, Historical context, Singular]

Frequency: Low (This term is rarely used in modern everyday Russian, primarily in historical, academic, or literary discussions.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian historical vocabulary and noun/adjective inflections, but not overly complex for learners familiar with basic grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

крепостной: [krʲɪˈpostnəj]

Note on крепостной: The stress is on the third syllable ('post'). Pay attention to the palatalized 'r' sound, which is common in Russian but may be challenging for English speakers. Variations in informal speech might soften the consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A person in feudal society bound to the land and owned by a lord, similar to a medieval serf.

Translation(s) & Context:

• крепостной - Used in historical contexts to describe a serf in Russian imperial history, often emphasizing legal and social bondage. Common in formal writing or education.

Usage Examples:

• В средневековой России крепостной крестьянин был привязан к земле и не мог покинуть её без разрешения хозяина.

  In medieval Russia, a serf peasant was bound to the land and could not leave it without the owner's permission.

• Крепостной статус был отменён в 1861 году, что стало значительным шагом в реформах Александра II.

  The serf status was abolished in 1861, which was a significant step in Alexander II's reforms.

• Многие крепостные работали на полях, но некоторые обладали ремесленными навыками.

  Many serfs worked in the fields, but some possessed artisanal skills.

• В литературе Толстого крепостные часто изображаются как символы социального неравенства.

  In Tolstoy's literature, serfs are often depicted as symbols of social inequality.

• Современные историки изучают жизнь крепостных, чтобы понять корни русской аграрной экономики.

  Modern historians study the lives of serfs to understand the roots of Russian agrarian economy.

Secondary Meaning: Figurative use, implying someone in a state of subjugation or dependency (less common).

Translation(s) & Context:

• крепостной - In metaphorical contexts, such as in modern discussions of labor rights, to describe exploited workers, but this is rare and formal.

Usage Examples:

• В некоторых отраслях работники чувствуют себя крепостными, из-за жёстких контрактов.

  In some industries, workers feel like serfs due to rigid contracts.

• Эта система делает людей крепостными своих долгов.

  This system turns people into serfs of their debts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

крепостной is an adjective in Russian, which means it inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard first-declension adjective pattern with some irregularities due to its historical roots.

Note: This word does not change in some fixed phrases, remaining invariant in certain historical contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Крестьянин (krest'yanin) - More general term for peasant, but less specific to serfdom; often used in broader agricultural contexts.
  • Холоп (kholop) - Implies a more severe form of servitude, historical and somewhat archaic.
• Antonyms:
  • Свободный (svobodnyy) - Free, as in not bound; highlights the opposite of serfdom in social status.
  • Барин (barin) - Noble or lord, representing the class that owned serfs.

Related Phrases:

• Крепостное право (krepostnoye pravo) - Meaning: Serfdom law; a system of legal bondage in Russian history.
• Освобождение крепостных (osvobozhdeniye krepostnykh) - Meaning: Emancipation of the serfs; refers to the 1861 reforms.
• Крепостной театр (krepostnoy teatr) - Meaning: Serf theater; historical entertainment provided by serfs for nobles.

Usage Notes:

крепостной directly corresponds to "serf" in English, particularly in the context of Russian history from the 16th to 19th centuries. It is a formal term and should be used in academic, historical, or literary discussions rather than everyday conversation. Be mindful of gender and case agreements when using it in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun they describe. For example, if referring to a female serf, use the feminine form. When choosing between translations like крепостной and крестьянин, opt for крепостной if emphasizing legal bondage, as it provides a more precise historical match.

• In formal writing, pair it with historical dates or figures for context.
• Avoid using it metaphorically unless in educated discourse, as it may sound overly dramatic.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse крепостной with крестьянин, thinking they are interchangeable. For instance, a common mistake is saying "крестьянин" when specifically meaning a serf, which dilutes the historical connotation. Correct usage: Instead of "Он был крестьянин" (incorrect for serf context), say "Он был крепостной" to specify bondage. Another error is incorrect inflection; e.g., using the nominative form in all cases, like "о крепостной" instead of "о крепостном" in prepositional case. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always check the sentence structure to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

крепостной carries significant cultural weight in Russia, evoking the era of serfdom (from the 16th century until 1861), which was a form of feudalism where millions were tied to the land. This system influenced Russian literature (e.g., in works by Tolstoy and Turgenev) and social reforms, symbolizing inequality and the path to modernization. Understanding this term helps English speakers grasp Russia's complex history of class struggles and its impact on national identity.

Related Concepts:

• Помещик (pomeshchik) - Landowner or noble.
• Реформа 1861 года (reforma 1861 goda) - The 1861 reform (emancipation).
• Крепостничество (krepostnichestvo) - Serfdom as a system.