Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'socialism'

English Word: socialism

Key Russian Translations:

• социализм [sətsɨˈalʲɪzm] - [Formal, used in political and academic contexts]

Frequency: High (commonly used in discussions of politics, history, and economics in Russian media and literature)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and political vocabulary, suitable for learners with basic intermediate proficiency)

Pronunciation (Russian):

социализм: [sətsɨˈalʲɪzm]

Note on социализм: The stress falls on the third syllable ('alʲ'). Be mindful of the soft 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Socialism as a political and economic system promoting collective ownership and equality

Translation(s) & Context:

• социализм - Used in formal discussions of ideology, history, or economics, often in academic, political, or journalistic contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В XX веке социализм стал доминирующей идеологией в Советском Союзе.

  In the 20th century, socialism became the dominant ideology in the Soviet Union.

• Современные дебаты о социализме часто касаются его влияния на экономику.

  Modern debates about socialism often concern its impact on the economy.

• Молодое поколение в России критически относится к социализму из-за исторических ошибок.

  The younger generation in Russia is critical of socialism due to historical mistakes.

• Социализм предлагает альтернативу капитализму через коллективное планирование.

  Socialism offers an alternative to capitalism through collective planning.

• В книгах по истории подробно описывается развитие социализма в Европе.

  In history books, the development of socialism in Europe is described in detail.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Социализм is a masculine noun in Russian (despite its ending, it follows masculine declension patterns). It is a borrowed word and does not have irregular forms, but it declines according to standard Russian noun rules for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The plural form is less common and typically used in contexts discussing multiple types or instances of socialist systems.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: коллективизм (collectivism - emphasizes communal ownership, often used interchangeably in broader ideological discussions), социал-демократия (social democracy - with a focus on welfare states)
• Antonyms: капитализм (capitalism - highlights individual ownership and free markets), либерализм (liberalism - in the economic sense, promoting minimal state intervention)

Explanation: Коллективизм shares core ideas with социализм but may imply a more community-focused approach, while социал-демократия is a moderated form. Antonyms like капитализм are direct opposites in economic philosophy.

Related Phrases:

• социалистическая экономика - Socialist economy (refers to an economic system based on state or collective control)
• социалистическая революция - Socialist revolution (a historical or theoretical upheaval leading to socialist governance)
• идеалы социализма - Ideals of socialism (discussing the principles like equality and social justice)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "социализм" directly corresponds to the English "socialism" as a political ideology, but it often carries historical connotations related to the Soviet era. Use it in formal contexts like academic writing or debates; avoid in casual conversations where it might evoke sensitive topics. When choosing between synonyms, opt for социализм for pure ideological discussions, but коллективизм if emphasizing community aspects. Grammatically, ensure correct declension based on sentence structure, as Russian requires case agreement.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я поддерживаю социализм" incorrectly in a context requiring genitive, like "Поддержка социализмa" (meant to be "Поддержка социализма").

  Correct: "Поддержка социализма" - Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case with prepositions or governing words; here, genitive is needed for possession or relation.

• Error: Confusing it with "коммунизм" and using them interchangeably.

  Correct: Use "социализм" for broader systems of social ownership, not "коммунизм" which implies a classless society. Explanation: While related, they are distinct; mixing them can lead to historical inaccuracies in Russian discourse.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "социализм" is deeply tied to the history of the Soviet Union (1917-1991), where it was the official ideology promoting state control and equality. However, it often evokes mixed feelings due to associated hardships like economic shortages. Today, it's a topic in discussions about post-Soviet identity, and understanding this context helps English speakers grasp why Russians might approach the term with caution or nostalgia.

Related Concepts:

• коммунизм
• капитализм
• социал-демократия