Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'suffrage'

English Word: suffrage

Key Russian Translations:

• избирательное право /ɪz.bʲɪ.rə.tʲe.lʲ.nə.jɛ ˈpra.və/ - [Formal, Legal/Political]
• право голоса /ˈpra.və ˈɡo.lə.sə/ - [Formal, Everyday Political Discourse]

Frequency: Medium (Common in political, historical, and legal contexts, but not in casual everyday conversation; often appears in news, elections, or academic discussions).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves abstract political concepts and requires familiarity with Russian nominal phrases; for 'избирательное право', B2; for 'право голоса', B1 due to simpler structure).

Pronunciation (Russian):

избирательное право: /ɪz.bʲɪ.rə.tʲe.lʲ.nə.jɛ ˈpra.və/ (Stress on the third syllable of 'избирательное'. Note that the 'щ' in related words can be tricky for English speakers, but this phrase uses standard 'т' sounds.)

Note on избирательное право: The word 'избирательное' may vary slightly in rapid speech, with vowel reduction in unstressed syllables, common in Russian. Pay attention to the soft 'л' sound.

право голоса: /ˈpra.və ˈɡo.lə.sə/ (Primary stress on the first syllable of each word. The 'г' is a voiced velar fricative.)

Note on право голоса: In formal settings, enunciate clearly to distinguish from similar phrases; the genitive case 'голоса' indicates possession, which is a key Russian grammatical feature.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: The right to vote in political elections or referendums.

Translation(s) & Context:

• избирательное право - Used in formal legal and historical contexts, such as discussing constitutional rights or voting reforms.
• право голоса - Applied in broader contexts, including everyday political discussions, emphasizing the act of voting.

Usage Examples:

• В XIX веке женщины боролись за избирательное право.

  In the 19th century, women fought for suffrage.

• Граждане должны иметь право голоса на всех выборах.

  Citizens should have suffrage in all elections.

• Избирательное право в России было расширено после революции 1917 года.

  Suffrage in Russia was expanded after the 1917 revolution.

• Без права голоса население не может влиять на политику страны.

  Without suffrage, the population cannot influence the country's politics.

• Молодые активисты продвигают реформы, чтобы обеспечить всеобщее избирательное право.

  Young activists are promoting reforms to ensure universal suffrage.

Secondary Meaning: Broadly, the right to express an opinion or participate in decision-making (less common).

Translation(s) & Context:

• право голоса - In metaphorical contexts, such as corporate meetings or community decisions, where it implies a voice in proceedings.

Usage Examples:

• На собрании акционеров каждому предоставляется право голоса.

  At the shareholders' meeting, everyone is given suffrage (the right to vote or speak).

• Избирательное право в демократическом обществе включает не только выборы, но и участие в дебатах.

  Suffrage in a democratic society includes not only elections but also participation in debates.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both key translations are nominal phrases involving nouns. 'Избирательное право' is a compound phrase where 'право' (neuter noun) inflects based on case and number, while 'избирательное' is an adjective that agrees with it. 'Право голоса' involves 'право' (neuter) and 'голоса' (genitive singular of 'голос', masculine noun).

For regular inflections, here's a table for key words:

Note: These phrases are typically used in nominative or genitive forms in sentences. They do not change irregularly but follow standard Russian declension rules.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Франшиза (franchise, but less common for political suffrage; used more in business contexts)
  • Голосование (voting, emphasizing the act rather than the right)
• Antonyms:
  • Лишение прав (deprivation of rights)
  • Дискриминация (discrimination, implying denial of suffrage)

Related Phrases:

• Всеобщее избирательное право - Universal suffrage; refers to the extension of voting rights to all adults.
• Право на голос - The right to a voice; used in contexts of free speech alongside voting.
• Избирательные реформы - Electoral reforms; often involves changes to suffrage laws.

Usage Notes:

'Избирательное право' is the most precise translation for 'suffrage' in formal or legal English contexts, directly corresponding to the concept of voting rights in Russian law. 'Право голоса' is more versatile and can be used in everyday discussions but may imply a broader participatory right. Always consider the context: use formal language in political essays and simpler phrases in conversations. Grammatically, ensure adjectives like 'избирательное' agree in case, number, and gender with the noun they modify. When choosing between translations, opt for 'избирательное право' for historical or constitutional topics and 'право голоса' for modern democratic debates.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'избирательное права' (incorrect plural form). Correct: 'избирательное право' remains singular in most contexts. Explanation: 'Право' is neuter and doesn't pluralize here; learners often mistakenly add plurals from English influences.

• Error: Confusing with 'голос' alone, saying 'голос' to mean suffrage. Correct: Use 'право голоса' for full meaning. Explanation: 'Голос' means 'voice' literally, so it lacks the rights connotation without 'право'.

• Error: Incorrect case usage, e.g., 'избирательное правом' in nominative sentences. Correct: Adjust to nominative 'избирательное право'. Explanation: Russian requires precise case agreement, which English speakers might overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, suffrage has significant connotations tied to events like the 1917 Revolution, which expanded voting rights, and the Soviet era, where it was portrayed as a universal right but often restricted in practice. Today, discussions around 'избирательное право' frequently reference gender equality movements, as in the West, highlighting ongoing cultural debates on democracy and participation.

Related Concepts:

• Демократия
• Выборы
• Гражданские права