Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'territory'

English Word: territory

Key Russian Translations:

• территория /tʲɪrʲɪˈtorʲɪjə/ - [Formal, Singular; Used in geographical, political, or legal contexts]
• область /ɐˈblasʲtʲ/ - [Formal or Informal; Often implies a broader region, such as an administrative area]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal writing, news, and discussions about geography or politics, but less frequent in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and contexts, though the word itself is straightforward for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

территория: /tʲɪrʲɪˈtorʲɪjə/ (Note the palatalized 't' sound, which is a common feature in Russian and may be challenging for English speakers; stress on the third syllable)

область: /ɐˈblasʲtʲ/ (The 'б' is pronounced as a soft 'b', and the word ends with a palatalized 't'; stress on the second syllable)

Note on территория: Be aware of regional variations in pronunciation, especially in faster speech where vowel reduction might occur.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A geographical or political area controlled by a country or group

Translation(s) & Context:

• территория - Used in formal contexts like international law or maps to denote land under jurisdiction.
• область - Applied in administrative or regional contexts, such as provinces in Russia.

Usage Examples:

• Эта территория была приобретена во время войны. (This territory was acquired during the war.)

  English Translation: This territory was acquired during the war.

• Мы изучаем историю нашей области. (We are studying the history of our region.)

  English Translation: We are studying the history of our region.

• Территория России простирается от Европы до Азии. (Russia's territory extends from Europe to Asia.)

  English Translation: Russia's territory extends from Europe to Asia.

• Область богата природными ресурсами. (The region is rich in natural resources.)

  English Translation: The region is rich in natural resources.

• В этой территории проживают коренные народы. (Indigenous peoples live in this territory.)

  English Translation: Indigenous peoples live in this territory. (Note: Demonstrates use in cultural or ethnic contexts.)

Meaning 2: An area of influence or expertise

Translation(s) & Context:

• территория - Metaphorical use, e.g., in business or personal space.
• область - Often in academic or professional contexts to mean a field of study.

Usage Examples:

• Это не моя территория знаний. (This is not my area of expertise.)

  English Translation: This is not my area of expertise.

• В области науки он достиг больших успехов. (He has achieved great success in the field of science.)

  English Translation: He has achieved great success in the field of science.

• Каждый имеет свою территорию в офисе. (Everyone has their own space in the office.)

  English Translation: Everyone has their own space in the office.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

территория is a feminine noun (1st declension). It follows standard Russian noun patterns with changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

область is also a feminine noun with similar inflections, but it is more irregular in plural forms due to its root. For example:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • район (/rɐˈjɵn/)
  (Fine distinction: More urban or local than территория)
  • земля (/ˈzʲemlʲə/)
  (Used for land in a broader, natural sense)
• Antonyms:
  • граница (/ˈɡranʲɪtsə/)
  (Boundary, opposite in the sense of defining edges rather than areas)

Related Phrases:

• территориальные воды - Territorial waters; Refers to the sea area under a country's control.
• спорная территория - Disputed territory; Used in geopolitical conflicts.
• административная область - Administrative region; Common in bureaucratic contexts.

Usage Notes:

When translating 'territory' to Russian, choose 'территория' for precise legal or geographical meanings, as it directly mirrors the English term. 'область' is better for regional or administrative contexts. Be mindful of formal settings, where these words are preferred over casual alternatives. Grammatically, always adjust for case based on sentence structure; for example, use the genitive case after prepositions like 'of'. If multiple translations apply, select based on context to avoid ambiguity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'территория' without proper declension, e.g., saying "в территория" instead of "в территории".
  Correct: в территории (prepositional case). Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change based on case, which English learners often overlook.
• Error: Confusing 'территория' with 'область' in political contexts, leading to imprecise meaning.
  Correct: Use 'территория' for international disputes. Explanation: 'область' implies internal administration, not external claims.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, 'территория' often carries connotations of national expansion and defense, as seen in events like the annexation of Crimea in 2014. It reflects Russia's vast geography and historical emphasis on territorial integrity, which is a sensitive topic in discussions about sovereignty and identity.

Related Concepts:

• граница
• страна
• регион