Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'strife'

English Word: strife

Key Russian Translations:

• борьба [bɐrʲˈba] - [Formal; often used in contexts of ideological or prolonged struggle]
• конфликт [kɐnˈflʲikt] - [Informal; commonly applied to interpersonal or situational disputes]
• раздор [rɐzˈdor] - [Formal; specifically for internal divisions or familial strife]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations appear regularly in literature, news, and everyday discussions, but not as ubiquitously as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 Intermediate (For 'борьба' and 'конфликт': Learners at this level can grasp basic usage, but mastering inflections and nuances requires contextual practice. 'раздор' may be slightly more advanced due to its specific connotations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

борьба: [bɐrʲˈba]

Note on борьба: The 'р' is a rolled alveolar trill, which can be challenging for English speakers; stress falls on the second syllable. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

конфликт: [kɐnˈflʲikt]

Note on конфликт: The 'ф' is pronounced as a voiceless labiodental fricative; the word is often borrowed from English, so pronunciation is relatively straightforward.

раздор: [rɐzˈdor]

Note on раздор: Emphasis on the second syllable; the initial 'р' is rolled, and the word has a somewhat archaic feel in modern speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Bitter conflict or struggle (e.g., ongoing disputes or fights)

Translation(s) & Context:

• борьба - Used in formal or historical contexts, such as social or political strife.
• конфликт - Applied to everyday arguments, like family or workplace disputes.

Usage Examples:

• В истории России борьба между классами была неизбежной частью социального развития.

  In Russian history, the strife between classes was an inevitable part of social development.

• Этот конфликт в семье привел к серьезным эмоциональным последствиям.

  This strife in the family led to serious emotional consequences.

• Раздор среди друзей часто начинается из-за мелких недоразумений.

  Strife among friends often starts from minor misunderstandings.

2. Striving or effort toward a goal (e.g., internal or motivational conflict)

Translation(s) & Context:

• борьба - Emphasizes perseverance, often in a positive or heroic sense.
• раздор - Less common, but used for internal emotional strife.

Usage Examples:

• Ее борьба за образование в трудные времена вдохновляет многих.

  Her strife for education during difficult times inspires many.

• Внутренний конфликт героя делает историю более драматичной.

  The internal strife of the hero makes the story more dramatic.

• Раздор в душе поэта отразился в его лирике.

  The strife in the poet's soul was reflected in his lyrics.

• Борьба с самим собой — это вечная тема русской литературы.

  Strife with oneself is an eternal theme in Russian literature.

• Этот конфликт идей привел к инновациям в науке.

  This strife of ideas led to innovations in science.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Most key translations are nouns, which follow standard Russian declension patterns. 'Борьба' is a feminine noun (3rd declension), while 'Конфликт' is masculine (2nd declension) and often borrowed, making it less inflected. 'Раздор' is masculine and follows regular patterns.

Note: 'Конфликт' is relatively invariable in casual use due to its foreign origin, but it still follows basic masculine patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сопротивление (resistance; similar to борьба but more physical)
  • спор (dispute; less intense than конфликт)
  • рассогласование (dissonance; for internal strife, akin to раздор)
• Antonyms:
  • мир (peace)
  • согласие (agreement)
  • гармония (harmony)

Related Phrases:

• Классовая борьба - Class struggle; a key concept in Marxist theory, often used in historical or political discussions.
• Семейный конфликт - Family strife; refers to domestic disputes, common in everyday conversations.
• Внутренний раздор - Internal strife; implies personal or psychological conflict, as seen in literature.

Usage Notes:

'Борьба' best matches 'strife' in contexts of prolonged, ideological conflict, while 'конфликт' is more neutral for short-term disputes. English speakers should note that Russian nouns require case agreement, so 'strife' in a sentence like 'in the midst of strife' might translate to 'в midst of борьбе'. Avoid using 'раздор' in casual speech as it sounds formal or literary. When choosing translations, consider the context: formal for 'борьба', everyday for 'конфликт'.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'борьба' without proper case inflection, e.g., saying "в борьба" instead of "в борьбе". Correct: "В борьбе за свободу" (In the strife for freedom). Explanation: Russian requires the prepositional case for locations or states.

• Error: Confusing 'конфликт' with 'конфуз' (embarrassment). Correct: Use 'конфликт' for strife, as 'конфуз' means something entirely different. Explanation: This mix-up often occurs due to similar sounds, leading to humorous misunderstandings.

• Error: Overusing 'раздор' in modern contexts. Correct: Reserve it for literary or emotional strife, e.g., "внутренний раздор" instead of "семейный конфликт". Explanation: 'Раздор' can sound outdated, making speech less natural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'борьба' often carries heroic connotations, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works, where strife represents national resilience. 'Конфликт' reflects everyday realities in a society with a history of political upheavals, emphasizing the importance of resolution in community life.

Related Concepts:

• война (war)
• протест (protest)
• соперничество (rivalry)