Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sultan'

English Word: sultan

Key Russian Translations:

• султан [sʊˈlʲtan] - [Formal, Historical context]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but appears in historical, academic, or literary contexts.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, according to CEFR; learners should have a basic grasp of noun declensions and vocabulary related to history or governance.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

султан: [sʊˈlʲtan] (The stress is on the second syllable; the 'л' is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian.)

Note on султан: Pay attention to the soft 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers accustomed to non-palatalized 'l'. It sounds similar to the 'l' in "million".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Main meaning: A ruler or sovereign in some Muslim countries, often with historical connotations (e.g., in the Ottoman Empire).

Translation(s) & Context:

• султан - Used in formal, historical, or educational contexts to refer to a monarch in Islamic history; appropriate for written texts or discussions about Middle Eastern or Ottoman history.

Usage Examples:

• В Османской империи султан обладал абсолютной властью.

  In the Ottoman Empire, the sultan held absolute power.

• Султан Стамбула был известен своей роскошной резиденцией.

  The sultan of Istanbul was known for his luxurious residence.

• Историки изучают реформы, проведённые султаном в XIX веке.

  Historians study the reforms carried out by the sultan in the 19th century.

• В музее выставлены артефакты, принадлежавшие султану.

  In the museum, artifacts belonging to the sultan are exhibited.

• Султан правил мудро, заботясь о благополучии народа.

  The sultan ruled wisely, caring for the welfare of the people.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"султан" is a masculine noun in the second declension group. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The plural form is used when referring to multiple sultans, such as in historical discussions. There are no irregular inflections for this word.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: правитель (pravitel' - ruler, more general); монарх (monarkh - monarch, implying a king or emperor).
• Antonyms: подданный (poddannyy - subject, as in a person under the rule of a sovereign).

Explanation: "Правитель" is a broader synonym suitable for everyday contexts, while "султан" is more specific to Islamic historical figures.

Related Phrases:

• Османский султан - Refers to an Ottoman sultan; used in historical contexts to denote rulers of the Ottoman Empire.
• Султанский дворец - The sultan's palace; a common phrase for royal residences in Islamic history.
• Власть султана - The power of the sultan; often used to discuss authority in historical narratives.

Usage Notes:

This translation corresponds closely to the English "sultan," emphasizing its historical and cultural specificity in Russian. It is typically used in formal or academic settings rather than casual conversation. Be mindful of context: in modern Russian, it might appear in discussions of world history or literature. When choosing between synonyms like "правитель," opt for "султан" if the reference is explicitly to Islamic or Ottoman rulers. Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian case rules to ensure sentence accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing as [suˈlæn] (influenced by English phonetics). Correct: [sʊˈlʲtan]. Explanation: English speakers often overlook the palatalized 'л', which softens the sound; practice with native audio to avoid this.

• Error: Using the nominative form in all cases, e.g., saying "Я говорю о султан" instead of "Я говорю о султане" (prepositional case). Correct: Adjust for case, as in "Я говорю о султане." Explanation: Russian requires noun agreement with case, which can confuse beginners from non-inflected languages like English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and language, "султан" often evokes images of the Ottoman Empire and its influence on Eastern Europe, particularly through historical events like the Russo-Turkish wars. It carries connotations of absolute power and exoticism in Russian literature, such as in works by Pushkin, where it symbolizes oriental despotism. Understanding this helps English learners appreciate the word's role in broader cultural narratives.

Related Concepts:

• император (imperator - emperor)
• халиф (khalif - caliph, another Islamic title)
• монархия (monarkhiya - monarchy)