Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'siege'

English Word: siege

Key Russian Translations:

• осада [ˈosədə] - [Formal, Military context]
• блокада [blɐˈkadə] - [Formal, Often implies economic or total blockade]

Frequency: Medium (Common in historical, military, or news contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and military terminology)

Pronunciation (Russian):

осада: [ˈosədə]

блокада: [blɐˈkadə]

Note on осада: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the soft 'a' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Note on блокада: The 'bl' cluster is pronounced with a soft 'l', and the stress is on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Military encirclement of a fortified place.

Translation(s) & Context:

• осада - Used in contexts involving prolonged military sieges, such as in history or warfare discussions.
• блокада - Applied to sieges with elements of isolation, like cutting off supplies, often in broader strategic scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Во время осады Ленинграда жители города страдали от голода и холода.

  During the siege of Leningrad, the city's residents suffered from hunger and cold.

• Армия установила блокаду вокруг крепости, чтобы вынудить её сдаться.

  The army established a blockade around the fortress to force its surrender.

• Историческая осада Трои описана в древнегреческих мифах и стала символом упорства.

  The historical siege of Troy is described in ancient Greek myths and has become a symbol of persistence.

• Под блокадой города экономическая жизнь полностью остановилась.

  Under the blockade of the city, economic life came to a complete halt.

• Современные осады часто включают использование технологий для мониторинга обороны.

  Modern sieges often involve the use of technology to monitor defenses.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "осада" and "блокада" are feminine nouns in the first declension group, which means they follow standard patterns for Russian feminine nouns. They change based on case, number, and gender agreement.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular inflections, making them relatively straightforward for learners at B2 level.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: осада (for "siege"), блокада (overlaps but emphasizes isolation), обложение (less common, archaic form)
• Antonyms: освобождение (liberation), снятие осады (lifting of the siege)

Synonyms like "блокада" may imply a more comprehensive isolation compared to "осада," which focuses on military encirclement.

Related Phrases:

• Поднять осаду - To lift the siege; used when ending a military encirclement.
• Установить блокаду - To impose a blockade; refers to cutting off access for strategic purposes.
• Осадное положение - Siege mentality; a psychological state during prolonged conflicts.

Usage Notes:

"Осада" directly corresponds to the military sense of "siege" in English and is preferred in formal or historical contexts, while "блокада" can extend to non-military uses like economic sanctions. Choose "осада" for pure encirclement scenarios and "блокада" when isolation of resources is key. Be mindful of Russian case requirements; for example, use the genitive case in phrases like "во время осады" (during the siege). This vocabulary is common in literature and news but rare in casual speech.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "осада" interchangeably with "блокада" without context. For instance, learners might say "экономическая осада" (economic siege) instead of "экономическая блокада."

  Correct: "Экономическая блокада" is more accurate for non-military contexts. Explanation: "Осада" implies physical military action, while "блокада" covers broader isolations, leading to confusion in precision.

• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., saying "в осада" instead of "в осаде" (in the siege).

  Correct: Always use the prepositional case "осаде" after prepositions like "в" or "на." Explanation: This is a common grammatical mistake for English speakers unfamiliar with Russian cases.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "осада" often evoke historical events such as the Siege of Leningrad during World War II, a symbol of national resilience and suffering. This adds emotional weight to the word, making it more than a military term—it's tied to themes of endurance in Russian literature and collective memory.

Related Concepts:

• война (war)
• крепость (fortress)
• оборона (defense)