Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'state'

English Word: state

Key Russian Translations:

• состояние [səstɐjɪnʲe] - [Formal, used for abstract or physical conditions]
• штат [ʂtat] - [Formal, specific to administrative divisions like US states]
• государство [ɡəsʲdarstfə] - [Formal, referring to a sovereign state or country]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday contexts, formal writing, and administrative language)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding context-dependent meanings; for 'состояние', it's A2 for basic forms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

состояние: [səstɐjɪnʲe]

штат: [ʂtat]

государство: [ɡəsʲdarstfə]

Note on состояние: The stress is on the third syllable; be cautious with the palatalized 'нʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Note on штат: The initial 'ш' is a voiceless retroflex fricative, similar to 'sh' in 'shoe' but more guttural.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: State as a condition or status (e.g., physical or mental state)

Translation(s) & Context:

• состояние - Used in formal or medical contexts to describe a temporary or ongoing condition.
• ситуация - Informal alternative when referring to a situational state.

Usage Examples:

• Моё состояние улучшилось после отдыха. (My state improved after rest.)

  Translation: My state improved after rest. (This example shows 'состояние' in a health context.)

• Его эмоциональное состояние было нестабильным. (His emotional state was unstable.)

  Translation: His emotional state was unstable. (Demonstrates use in psychological contexts.)

• Каково ваше текущее состояние? (What is your current state?)

  Translation: What is your current state? (Used in everyday inquiries.)

• Состояние экономики страны ухудшается. (The state of the country's economy is worsening.)

  Translation: The state of the country's economy is worsening. (Applies to abstract economic states.)

Meaning 2: State as an administrative or political entity (e.g., a US state or sovereign state)

Translation(s) & Context:

• штат - Used specifically for subdivisions like US states, in formal or geographical contexts.
• государство - Applied to nations or sovereign entities, often in political discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Я живу в штате Калифорния. (I live in the state of California.)

  Translation: I live in the state of California. (Illustrates geographical usage.)

• Государство должно заботиться о своих гражданах. (The state must care for its citizens.)

  Translation: The state must care for its citizens. (Shows political context.)

• Штат Техас известен своими техасскими стейками. (The state of Texas is known for its Texas steaks.)

  Translation: The state of Texas is known for its Texas steaks. (Cultural or regional reference.)

• Какое государство имеет наибольшее население? (Which state has the largest population?)

  Translation: Which state has the largest population? (Used in comparative contexts.)

• Границы штата охраняются. (The state's borders are protected.)

  Translation: The state's borders are protected. (Security or administrative usage.)

Meaning 3: State as to declare or express (e.g., to state something)

Translation(s) & Context:

• заявлять - Verb form, used in formal statements or declarations.

Usage Examples:

• Он заявил о своей невиновности. (He stated his innocence.)

  Translation: He stated his innocence. (Legal or formal declaration.)

• В своём докладе она заявила ключевые факты. (In her report, she stated key facts.)

  Translation: In her report, she stated key facts. (Academic or professional context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'состояние' (noun, neuter): This is a third-declension noun with regular inflections. It does not change in the nominative singular but varies by case and number.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	состояние	состояния
Genitive	состояния	состояний
Dative	состоянию	состояниям
Accusative	состояние	состояния
Instrumental	состоянием	состояниями
Prepositional	состоянии	состояниях

For 'штат' (noun, masculine): Mostly regular, but can be unchangeable in some contexts like proper names.

For 'государство' (noun, neuter): Follows standard patterns similar to 'состояние'.

For 'заявлять' (verb): Conjugates irregularly in some tenses; e.g., present: заявляю, заявляешь, заявляет.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • состояние: положение (polozhenie) - Similar but more about position or circumstance.
  • штат: регион (region) - Used for broader areas, less formal.
  • государство: страна (strana) - Often interchangeable but 'страна' is more neutral.
  • заявлять: утверждать (utverzhdat') - Emphasizes confirmation.
• Antonyms:
  • состояние: хаос (khaos) - Opposite of stable state.
  • штат: город (gorod) - Smaller urban entity versus a state.
  • государство: анархия (anarkhiya) - Lack of organized state.

Related Phrases:

• Состояние здоровья - State of health; refers to physical well-being.
• Штат США - US state; common in geographical discussions.
• Государство и право - State and law; a phrase used in legal contexts.
• Заявить претензию - To state a claim; used in formal complaints.

Usage Notes:

• The English word 'state' has multiple nuances, so choose the Russian equivalent based on context: 'состояние' for conditions, 'штат' for regions, and 'государство' for political entities.
• In formal Russian, 'состояние' is preferred in written language, while 'положение' might be more conversational.
• Be mindful of gender and case agreements; for example, 'состояние' as a neuter noun must agree with adjectives and verbs accordingly.
• When translating verbs like 'to state', use 'заявлять' for declarations, but consider 'говорить' for simpler statements.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'состояние' with 'ситуация' - English learners often use 'ситуация' interchangeably, but it's less formal. Correct: Use 'состояние' for internal states; e.g., Wrong: "Моя ситуация плохая" (for emotional state); Right: "Моё состояние плохое".
• Error: Misinflecting nouns like 'штат' - Forgetting case changes; e.g., Wrong: "В штате" should be correct, but learners might say "В штат" in genitive contexts. Explanation: Always check the required case for accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'государство' often carries historical connotations from the Soviet era, implying a strong central authority. This can evoke themes of patriotism or bureaucracy, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works, where the state represents both protection and oppression.

Related Concepts:

• нация (natsiya)
• регион (region)
• политика (politika)