Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'society'

English Word: society

Key Russian Translations:

• общество /ɐbʲɪˈʂʲestvə/ - [Formal, used in general, abstract contexts such as social structures]
• сообщество /səmʲɪˈʂʲestvə/ - [Informal, often refers to online or specific groups]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in discussions of social issues, culture, and everyday life in Russian media and literature)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding noun declensions and contextual nuances; for 'сообщество', it may be A2 for beginners due to simpler usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

общество: /ɐbʲɪˈʂʲestvə/

Note on общество: The stress is on the third syllable ('ʂʲestvə'). Be cautious with the palatalized 'bʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers; it sounds softer than a standard 'b'.

сообщество: /səmʲɪˈʂʲestvə/

Note on сообщество: Stress falls on the third syllable; the 'mʲ' is palatalized, making it distinct from non-palatalized consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A large group of people sharing common traditions, institutions, and culture (e.g., human society)

Translation(s) & Context:

• общество - Used in formal discussions of sociology, history, or philosophy, often implying a structured social system.
• сообщество - Applied in informal or modern contexts, such as online forums or local communities.

Usage Examples:

• В современном обществе технологии играют ключевую роль.

  In modern society, technology plays a key role.

• Это сообщество единомышленников собирается каждую неделю.

  This community of like-minded people gathers every week.

• Общество должно заботиться о своих уязвимых членах.

  Society should care for its vulnerable members.

• В цифровом сообществе важно соблюдать правила конфиденциальности.

  In the digital community, it's important to follow privacy rules.

• Развитие общества зависит от образования и культуры.

  The development of society depends on education and culture.

Meaning 2: An association or organization of people with shared interests (e.g., a club or society)

Translation(s) & Context:

• общество - Formal contexts, like literary or scientific societies.
• сообщество - Informal groups, such as hobbyist or social media communities.

Usage Examples:

• Он является членом исторического общества.

  He is a member of the historical society.

• Это онлайн-сообщество помогает новичкам в изучении русского языка.

  This online community helps beginners in learning the Russian language.

• Общество любителей искусства организует выставки ежегодно.

  The society of art lovers organizes exhibitions annually.

• В нашем сообществе все делятся опытом и советами.

  In our community, everyone shares experiences and advice.

• Международное общество проводит конференции по экологии.

  The international society holds conferences on ecology.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'общество' and 'сообщество' are neuter nouns in Russian, following the standard third declension pattern. They decline based on case and number, with no irregularities. Below is a table for 'общество' as an example; 'сообщество' follows a similar pattern.

For 'сообщество', the forms are identical in structure: e.g., Nominative Singular: сообщество; Genitive Singular: сообщества.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сообщество (similar to 'общество' but more modern)
  • группа (group, with a less formal connotation)
  • коллектив (collective, often implying a work or organized group)
• Antonyms:
  • изоляция (isolation, referring to separation from society)
  • одиночество (loneliness, emphasizing individual detachment)

Related Phrases:

• буржуазное общество - Refers to bourgeois society, often in historical or Marxist contexts.
• цивилизованное общество - Means civilized society, implying structured and ethical norms.
• онлайн-сообщество - Online community, common in digital discussions.
• закрытое общество - Closed society, indicating exclusivity or limited access.

Usage Notes:

• Choose 'общество' for broader, more formal contexts related to social structures, as it directly aligns with the English 'society' in sociological terms. 'Сообщество' is better for informal or community-based scenarios, like social media.
• Be mindful of declensions; Russian requires nouns to change based on case, which can affect sentence structure (e.g., use genitive for possession).
• In spoken Russian, these words are neutral in register but can vary by context—'общество' might sound more academic, while 'сообщество' is everyday.
• When translating from English, consider the specific type of society; for example, a club might lean toward 'сообщество' if it's casual.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'общество' interchangeably with 'сообщество' without considering context. Incorrect: "Это общество в интернете" (This society on the internet). Correct: "Это сообщество в интернете" (as it's more appropriate for online groups). Explanation: 'Общество' implies a larger societal structure, not a digital group.
• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun. Incorrect: "В общество" (In society, but wrong case). Correct: "В обществе" (Prepositional case). Explanation: Russian prepositions dictate case changes, which English speakers often overlook.
• Error: Overusing in plural forms unnecessarily. Incorrect: "Общества людей" when singular suffices. Correct: "Общество людей" if not emphasizing multiple. Explanation: Plural is only needed for multiple societies, not for general references.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'общество' often carries historical connotations from Soviet-era discussions of social classes and collective identity. For instance, it reflects themes in Russian literature by authors like Tolstoy, where society is portrayed as a complex web of relationships and norms. 'Сообщество' has gained prominence in post-Soviet times with the rise of digital culture, emphasizing community building in a globalized world.

Related Concepts:

• культура (culture)
• государство (state)
• нация (nation)
• коллектив (collective)