Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'subjugate'

English Word: subjugate

Key Russian Translations:

• подчинить /pɐdʧʲɪˈnʲitʲ/ - [Formal, used in contexts of control or domination]
• завоевать /zəvɐjɪˈvatʲ/ - [Formal, often for military or territorial conquest]
• подавить /pɐdɐˈvʲitʲ/ - [Formal, implying suppression or overcoming resistance]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations appear in historical, political, or literary contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation.

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level can grasp the concept with practice, as it involves understanding nuanced verb conjugations and formal language.

Pronunciation (Russian):

подчинить: /pɐdʧʲɪˈnʲitʲ/

Note on подчинить: The stress falls on the third syllable ("nʲitʲ"), which can be tricky for beginners; practice with native speakers to master the soft consonants.

завоевать: /zəvɐjɪˈvatʲ/

Note on завоевать: The initial "z" is voiced, and the stress is on the third syllable; variations may occur in fast speech.

подавить: /pɐdɐˈvʲitʲ/

Note on подавить: Pay attention to the soft "vʲ" sound, which is common in Russian verbs but may not exist in English phonetics.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: To bring under domination, control, or subjection, often through force.

Translation(s) & Context:

• подчинить - Used in formal or historical contexts, such as subjugating a population or nation, emphasizing control without necessarily implying violence.
• завоевать - Applied to military conquests, like subjugating territories, and is common in discussions of history or geopolitics.
• подавить - Focuses on suppressing resistance, suitable for contexts involving rebellion or internal control.

Usage Examples:

• Император подчинил соседние земли, установив полный контроль над регионом.

  The emperor subjugated the neighboring lands, establishing full control over the region.

• Войска завоевали вражескую территорию, но столкнулись с сопротивлением местного населения.

  The troops subjugated the enemy territory but faced resistance from the local population.

• Правительство попыталось подавить восстание, чтобы подчинить непокорных граждан.

  The government tried to suppress the uprising to subjugate the rebellious citizens.

• В исторических текстах часто описывается, как завоеватели подчиняли целые цивилизации ради ресурсов.

  Historical texts often describe how conquerors subjugated entire civilizations for resources.

Secondary Meaning: To make subservient or inferior in a metaphorical sense, such as in relationships or ideas.

Translation(s) & Context:

• подчинить - In metaphorical uses, like subjugating one's desires to a higher goal, in personal or philosophical contexts.
• подавить - Often for emotional or psychological subjugation, such as suppressing feelings.

Usage Examples:

• Она смогла подчинить свои страхи и продолжить путешествие в одиночку.

  She managed to subjugate her fears and continue the journey alone.

• В этой культуре традиционно подавляют индивидуальность ради коллективных интересов.

  In this culture, individuality is traditionally subjugated for the sake of collective interests.

• Философ подчинил личные амбиции поиску истины.

  The philosopher subjugated personal ambitions to the pursuit of truth.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are verbs, which undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number in Russian. "Подчинить" and "подавить" are perfective verbs, while "завоевать" can be imperfective in some contexts. Russian verbs follow patterns of conjugation that may be regular or irregular.

These verbs do not change based on gender in the infinitive form but do so in the past tense. Irregularities are minimal, but learners should note aspect differences for accurate usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • подавить - Similar to подавить but with a focus on overcoming; used interchangeably in some contexts.
  • завоевать - Emphasizes conquest; often used in military narratives.
  • овладеть - Means to gain control, with a nuance of possession.
• Antonyms:
  • освободить - To free or liberate, directly opposite in contexts of control.
  • независимость - Implies independence, though it's a noun.

Related Phrases:

• Подчинить себе - To subjugate to oneself; used for personal dominance, e.g., in leadership contexts.
• Завоевать доверие - To win trust; metaphorically related to subjugation through persuasion.
• Подавить восстание - To suppress an uprising; a common phrase in historical or political discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Subjugate" corresponds most closely to "подчинить" in formal English-Russian translation, but choose "завоевать" for military contexts or "подавить" for suppression scenarios. Be mindful of the perfective aspect in Russian, which implies completion—use it when the action is finished. In everyday speech, these words are rare; opt for simpler alternatives like "контролировать" in informal settings. When translating, consider the subject's gender for past tense verbs to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Mistaking aspect: Learners often use the perfective form incorrectly. Error: "Я подчиняю народ" (implying ongoing action when perfective is needed). Correct: "Я подчинил народ" for a completed action. Explanation: Russian verbs have aspects; perfective denotes completion, so match it to the context.
• Confusing synonyms: Mixing "подчинить" and "завоевать" without context. Error: Using "завоевать" for emotional subjugation. Correct: Use "подчинить" for non-military cases. Explanation: Each has specific connotations; "завоевать" implies conquest, which may not fit metaphorical uses.
• Gender agreement in past tense: Forgetting to adjust for gender. Error: "Она подчинил" (incorrect for feminine subject). Correct: "Она подчинила". Explanation: Past tense verbs in Russian agree with the subject's gender, unlike in English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, words like "подчинить" and "завоевать" often evoke memories of imperial expansion, such as the Russian Empire's conquests in the 19th century or Soviet-era suppressions. These terms carry a weight of historical trauma, especially in post-colonial discussions, reminding users of the complex legacy of power dynamics in Eastern Europe and Asia.

Related Concepts:

• империя (empire)
• восстание (uprising)
• контроль (control)
• подчинение (subordination)