Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'servitude'

English Word: servitude

Key Russian Translations:

• рабство [rɐ́bstvə] - [Formal, often used in historical, legal, or social contexts]
• невольничество [nʲɪvɐlʲʲnʲɪt͡ɕɪstvə] - [Formal, literary; implies involuntary bondage or enslavement]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions of history, law, and social issues, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and Russian nominal inflections, as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

рабство: [rɐ́bstvə] (Stress on the first syllable; the 'р' is a rolled 'r', and 'bstvə' has a soft 'b' sound)

невольничество: [nʲɪvɐlʲʲnʲɪt͡ɕɪstvə] (Note on невольничество: The 'нʲ' is palatalized, which can be tricky for beginners; practice with native speakers for accurate softening)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The state of being enslaved or subjected to forced labor (e.g., historical or metaphorical bondage)

Translation(s) & Context:

• рабство - Used in formal contexts like history books or legal discussions to describe systemic oppression or slavery.
• невольничество - Applied in literary or poetic contexts for involuntary servitude, often with emotional connotations.

Usage Examples:

• В истории России рабство было распространено в форме крепостного права.

  In Russian history, servitude was widespread in the form of serfdom.

• Многие боролись за освобождение от рабства в XIX веке.

  Many fought for liberation from servitude in the 19th century.

• Современное невольничество проявляется в эксплуатации migrantов.

  Modern servitude manifests in the exploitation of migrants.

• Рабство душит человеческую свободу и достоинство.

  Servitude stifles human freedom and dignity.

Meaning 2: A condition of subjugation or dependency, often metaphorical (e.g., in social or economic contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• рабство - Common in metaphorical uses, such as economic dependency, in formal writing or speeches.
• невольничество - Less common but used for personal or psychological subjugation in literature.

Usage Examples:

• Финансовая зависимость может превратиться в настоящее рабство для людей.

  Financial dependence can turn into real servitude for people.

• Невольничество в отношениях часто приводит к эмоциональному выгоранию.

  Servitude in relationships often leads to emotional burnout.

• В демократическом обществе мы боремся против любых форм рабства.

  In a democratic society, we fight against any forms of servitude.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Рабство" is a neuter noun in Russian, which follows standard second-declension patterns. It is inflected for case and number but has no gender variations. "Невольничество" is also a neuter noun with similar inflections.

Note: These words do not change for gender and have regular inflections, making them straightforward once basic declensions are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • кабала [kɐbɐ́lə] - Often used for debt servitude or binding obligations; more legalistic.
  • порабощение [pərɐbɐ́ʂɪnʲɪjə] - Implies the act of enslaving; dynamic and action-oriented.
• Antonyms:
  • свобода [svɐbɐ́də] - General opposite, meaning freedom or liberty.
  • освобождение [ɐsvəbɐʐdʲɪnʲɪjə] - Specifically, the act of liberation from servitude.

Related Phrases:

• Крепостное право [krʲɪpɐ́stnəjə prɐ́və] - Meaning: Serfdom system in Russian history; used in historical contexts to describe institutionalized servitude.
• Порабощение народа [pərɐbɐ́ʂɪnʲɪjə nɐrɐ́də] - Meaning: Enslavement of the people; often in revolutionary or social justice discussions.
• Освобождение от рабства [ɐsvəbɐʐdʲɪnʲɪjə ɐt rɐ́bstvə] - Meaning: Liberation from servitude; common in narratives of emancipation.

Usage Notes:

"Рабство" directly corresponds to the English "servitude" in formal contexts, especially historical ones, but avoid using it casually as it carries strong connotations of slavery. "Невольничество" is more literary and implies involuntary aspects, making it suitable for metaphorical uses. In Russian, these words are typically used in singular form and require proper case agreement with prepositions (e.g., "из рабства" for "from servitude"). When choosing between translations, opt for "рабство" in straightforward contexts and "невольничество" for nuanced, emotional scenarios. Always consider the audience's familiarity with Russian history, as these terms evoke cultural sensitivities.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "рабство" with "раб" (slave), leading to incorrect usage like "Я в раб" instead of "Я в рабстве". Correct: Use "рабство" as a noun for the state. Explanation: "Раб" is a person, while "рабство" is the condition; this mix-up stems from not understanding nominal inflections.

• Error: Overusing "невольничество" in everyday speech, e.g., saying "Моя работа — невольничество" when "рабство" might be more appropriate. Correct: "Моя работа — это рабство". Explanation: "Невольничество" is more formal and literary, so reserve it for written or poetic contexts to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "рабство" is deeply tied to the history of serfdom (крепостное право), which lasted until 1861 and involved millions of peasants bound to the land. This concept reflects themes of oppression and resilience in Russian literature, such as in Tolstoy's works, and continues to symbolize social inequality in modern discussions.

Related Concepts:

• свобода
• угнетение
• эксплуатация