Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'supremacy'

English Word: supremacy

Key Russian Translations:

• верховенство /vʲɪrˈxovʲɪnstva/ - [Formal, used in legal or political contexts]
• превосходство /prʲɪvɐˈsxodstvə/ - [Formal, often implying quality or excellence]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, legal documents, and discussions on politics or international relations)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and formal vocabulary; for 'верховенство', it might be B2, while 'превосходство' could be B1 due to its broader everyday use)

Pronunciation (Russian):

верховенство: /vʲɪrˈxovʲɪnstva/

Note on верховенство: The stress falls on the third syllable ('xov'), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's variable stress patterns. It is a neuter noun and may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

превосходство: /prʲɪvɐˈsxodstvə/

Note on превосходство: Stress on the third syllable ('sxod'); palatalization of 'p' and 'r' sounds can be tricky for beginners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The state of being supreme or dominant, often in authority or power (e.g., political supremacy).

Translation(s) & Context:

• верховенство - Used in formal contexts like law or governance to denote ultimate authority.
• превосходство - Applied in contexts emphasizing excellence or dominance in quality, such as sports or intellectual fields.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: В международных отношениях верховенство одного государства может привести к конфликтам.

  English translation: In international relations, the supremacy of one state can lead to conflicts.

• Русский пример: Превосходство российской науки в области космонавтики известно во всем мире.

  English translation: The supremacy of Russian science in the field of space exploration is known worldwide.

• Русский пример: Верховенство закона гарантирует равные права для всех граждан.

  English translation: The supremacy of the law guarantees equal rights for all citizens.

• Русский пример: В спорте превосходство команды определяется не только техникой, но и стратегией.

  English translation: In sports, a team's supremacy is determined not only by technique but also by strategy.

• Русский пример: Исторически верховенство монархии в России было подорвано революцией.

  English translation: Historically, the supremacy of the monarchy in Russia was undermined by the revolution.

2. Superiority or excellence in a specific area (e.g., technological supremacy).

Translation(s) & Context:

• превосходство - Preferred for contexts involving quality or achievement, such as technology or arts.
• верховенство - Less common here, but could be used in formal discussions of dominance.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Превосходство смартфонов от Apple часто подчеркивается в сравнительных обзорах.

  English translation: The supremacy of Apple smartphones is often highlighted in comparative reviews.

• Русский пример: В военной области верховенство ядерного оружия остается неоспоримым.

  English translation: In the military sphere, the supremacy of nuclear weapons remains undisputed.

• Русский пример: Превосходство классической русской литературы в мировом каноне признано многими экспертами.

  English translation: The supremacy of classical Russian literature in the global canon is recognized by many experts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'верховенство' and 'превосходство' are neuter nouns in Russian, which means they follow the standard patterns for third-declension nouns. They are indeclinable in some cases but typically inflect for case and number.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular inflections but must agree with adjectives and verbs in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: превосходство (similar but emphasizes quality), доминирование (focuses on control), гегемония (implies hegemony in international contexts)
• Antonyms: подчинение (subordination), неравенство (inequality), слабость (weakness; highlights lack of dominance)

Related Phrases:

• Верховенство права - Refers to the supremacy of law, a key principle in legal systems.
• Превосходство в технологиях - Indicates technological supremacy, often used in business or innovation discussions.
• Глобальное превосходство - Means global supremacy, commonly in geopolitical contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Верховенство' is the most direct translation for 'supremacy' in contexts of authority, such as legal or political dominance, and is preferred in formal settings. 'Превосходство' is better for scenarios involving excellence or superiority in quality. English users should note that Russian vocabulary often carries nuanced connotations—'верховенство' implies an unchallenged position, while 'превосходство' can suggest competition. Always consider the grammatical case when using these words in sentences, as Russian requires agreement. For example, choose 'верховенство' over 'превосходство' when discussing constitutional matters to maintain precision.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'превосходство' interchangeably with 'верховенство' in legal contexts. Incorrect: "Верховенство закона" mistakenly said as "Превосходство закона". Correct: "Верховенство закона" – Explanation: 'Превосходство' implies quality superiority, not ultimate authority, which can lead to misunderstandings in formal writing.

• Error: Forgetting case inflections, e.g., using nominative in all contexts. Incorrect: "О верховенство" (should be genitive). Correct: "О верховенстве" – Explanation: Russian nouns must inflect based on sentence structure, so always check the required case for accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, 'верховенство' is often associated with concepts like the 'supremacy of the state' during the Soviet era, reflecting centralized power structures. This term carries historical weight in discussions of authoritarianism versus democracy, helping English users understand its implications in modern Russian discourse on governance and rights.

Related Concepts:

• демократия
• авторитаризм
• гегемония