Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'slavery'

English Word: slavery

Key Russian Translations:

• рабство [rɐ́bstvə] - [Formal, used in historical, political, or social contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in historical, academic, and modern discussions of human rights, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and historical contexts, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of Russian grammar and vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

рабство: [rɐ́bstvə]

Note on рабство: The stress falls on the first syllable (rɐ́bstvə), and the 'б' is pronounced as a voiced bilabial stop. Be mindful of the soft 'т' sound in some regional accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The state of being a slave or the system of owning slaves (historical or metaphorical).

Translation(s) & Context:

• рабство - Used in formal contexts such as history books, legal discussions, or human rights debates to refer to the institution of slavery.

Usage Examples:

• В истории рабство было распространено в многих цивилизациях, включая Древний Рим и Африку.

  In history, slavery was widespread in many civilizations, including Ancient Rome and Africa.

• Современное рабство, несмотря на запреты, всё ещё существует в форме принудительного труда.

  Modern slavery, despite being banned, still exists in the form of forced labor.

• Рабство разрушило жизни миллионов людей, вызывая социальные и экономические проблемы.

  Slavery destroyed the lives of millions, causing social and economic issues.

• В литературе рабство часто изображается как символ утраты свободы и достоинства.

  In literature, slavery is often depicted as a symbol of lost freedom and dignity.

• Международные организации борются с рабством, продвигая права человека по всему миру.

  International organizations fight against slavery, promoting human rights worldwide.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Рабство" is a neuter noun in the second declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns, with changes based on case and number. As a neuter noun ending in -о, it is relatively straightforward but requires attention to case endings.

Note: The noun does not have irregular forms, making it easier for learners, but ensure correct stress in inflected forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • невольничество (nevol'nichhestvo) - Similar to "slavery," but often implies involuntary servitude; used in more poetic or historical contexts.
  • порабощение (poraboshcheniye) - Emphasizes the act of enslaving; more dynamic and action-oriented.
• Antonyms:
  • свобода (svoboda) - Direct opposite, meaning "freedom," commonly used in human rights discussions.

Related Phrases:

• Современное рабство (sovremennoye rabstvo) - Modern slavery; refers to contemporary forms like human trafficking.
• Рабский труд (rabskiy trud) - Slave labor; used in contexts of forced work or exploitation.
• Освобождение от рабства (osvobozhdeniye ot rabstva) - Emancipation from slavery; a phrase common in historical narratives.

Usage Notes:

"Рабство" directly corresponds to the English "slavery" in formal and historical contexts, but it is less commonly used in everyday speech. It is typically employed in written or academic settings due to its serious connotations. When choosing between synonyms like "невольничество," opt for "рабство" for straightforward translations. Be aware of grammatical gender (neuter) and ensure proper case agreement in sentences. For metaphorical uses, such as in literature, it can convey loss of autonomy, similar to English idioms.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "рабство" with "раб" (slave): Learners might misuse "рабство" when they mean the person (e.g., saying "Он рабство" instead of "Он раб"). Correct usage: "Он был рабом в рабстве" (He was a slave in slavery). Explanation: "Рабство" is the system, not the individual.

• Incorrect inflection: Forgetting case endings, such as using nominative "рабство" in genitive contexts (e.g., "Я боюсь рабство" instead of "Я боюсь рабства"). Correct: "Я боюсь рабства" (I fear slavery). Explanation: Always match the noun's case to the sentence structure.

• Overgeneralizing to informal contexts: Using "рабство" in casual conversation, which sounds overly formal; instead, discuss in phrases like "принудительный труд." Explanation: Reserve it for appropriate settings to avoid sounding stilted.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, "рабство" is often associated with serfdom (крепостное право), which was prevalent in Imperial Russia until the 19th century. This has deep implications in literature, such as in works by Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, where it symbolizes social inequality and the struggle for human rights. Understanding this context helps English speakers grasp the emotional weight of the term in modern Russian discourse on equality.

Related Concepts:

• раб (rab) - Meaning "slave."
• освобождение (osvobozhdeniye) - Meaning "emancipation."
• принудительный труд (prinuditel'nyy trud) - Meaning "forced labor."