Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stipend'

English Word: stipend

Key Russian Translations:

• стипендия (/stʲipʲenʲˈdʲijə/) - [Formal, used in educational and professional contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in academic, governmental, and employment discussions in Russian-speaking contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding noun inflections and contexts related to education and finance; suitable for learners with basic grasp of Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

стипендия: /stʲipʲenʲˈdʲijə/

Note on стипендия: The stress falls on the penultimate syllable ("dʲijə"). Be mindful of the palatalized 'tʲ' and 'pʲ' sounds, which are common in Russian but may challenge English speakers. Variations in regional accents might slightly alter vowel length.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A fixed sum of money paid periodically to support education, research, or as an allowance.

Translation(s) & Context:

• стипендия - Used in formal contexts like universities or government programs, often implying financial support for students or scholars.

Usage Examples:

• Я получаю стипендию за хорошую учёбу в университете.

  I receive a stipend for good academic performance at the university.

• Эта стипендия предназначена для аспирантов, изучающих естественные науки.

  This stipend is intended for graduate students studying natural sciences.

• Правительство увеличило стипендию для студентов из отдалённых регионов.

  The government has increased the stipend for students from remote regions.

• Без стипендии мне было бы сложно оплатить проживание в Москве.

  Without the stipend, it would be difficult for me to cover living expenses in Moscow.

• Она выиграла международную стипендию для обучения за границей.

  She won an international stipend for studying abroad.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Стипендия" is a feminine noun (3rd declension in Russian), which means it undergoes regular inflection based on case, number, and gender. It does not have irregular forms but follows standard patterns for feminine nouns ending in -я. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The plural forms are less commonly used, as "стипендия" often refers to individual grants, but they apply in contexts discussing multiple stipends.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • грант (grant) - Often used interchangeably for funding, but implies more competitive or project-based support.
  • пособие (posobie) - Similar to an allowance, but can be broader, including social benefits.
• Antonyms:
  • зарплата (zarpalata) - Salary or wage, which is earned through employment rather than granted.
  • долг (dolg) - Debt, representing financial obligation rather than support.

Related Phrases:

• получать стипендию - To receive a stipend; commonly used in academic applications.
• стипендия за заслуги - Stipend for merits; refers to rewards based on achievements.
• государственная стипендия - State stipend; often implies government-funded support with cultural connotations of national education priorities.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "стипендия" directly corresponds to "stipend" in English, emphasizing fixed, periodic payments for educational or professional purposes. It is typically used in formal contexts, such as official documents or academic discussions, and is gender-neutral in application. When choosing between synonyms like "грант," consider if the stipend is competitive; "стипендия" is more general for ongoing support. Grammatically, always inflect it according to the sentence case to maintain proper Russian syntax, e.g., use genitive for possession ("стипендии студента"). Avoid casual equivalents in professional settings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "стипендия" interchangeably with "зарплата" without context. Incorrect: "Моя стипендия — 50,000 рублей в месяц" when referring to a full-time job salary.

  Correct: "Моя зарплата — 50,000 рублей в месяц; стипендия покрывает учёбу." Explanation: "Стипендия" specifically denotes non-employment-based support, while "зарплата" means earned wages. This confusion arises from overlapping financial terms in English.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect the noun in sentences, e.g., saying "Я получил стипендия" instead of "Я получил стипендию."

  Correct: "Я получил стипендию." Explanation: Russian requires accusative case for direct objects, so always adjust endings based on grammar rules to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, stipends like "стипендия" are deeply tied to the Soviet legacy of state-supported education, where they were (and still are) a key way to promote access to higher learning. Today, they often carry connotations of meritocracy and national pride, especially in fields like science and arts, reflecting Russia's emphasis on intellectual achievement over purely commercial pursuits.

Related Concepts:

• университет (university)
• аспирантура (graduate studies)
• грантовый конкурс (grant competition)