Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'thesis'

English Word: thesis

Key Russian Translations:

• тезис [ˈtʲezʲɪs] - [Formal, Academic]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly used in academic, philosophical, and professional contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of abstract concepts and formal Russian vocabulary, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of grammar and vocabulary.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

тезис: [ˈtʲezʲɪs]

Note on тезис: The initial "т" is palatalized (soft), which is common in Russian for words of foreign origin. Stress falls on the first syllable. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A statement or theory put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved (e.g., in philosophy or debate).

Translation(s) & Context:

• тезис - Used in formal academic or argumentative contexts, such as debates or essays.

Usage Examples:

• В своей речи он четко изложил основной тезис. (In his speech, he clearly outlined the main thesis.)

  Translation: In his speech, he clearly outlined the main thesis.

• Этот тезис был оспорен многими учеными. (This thesis was challenged by many scholars.)

  Translation: This thesis was challenged by many scholars.

• Формулировка тезиса должна быть ясной и убедительной. (The formulation of the thesis should be clear and convincing.)

  Translation: The formulation of the thesis should be clear and convincing.

• В философии тезис часто служит основой для дальнейших рассуждений. (In philosophy, a thesis often serves as the basis for further reasoning.)

  Translation: In philosophy, a thesis often serves as the basis for further reasoning.

Meaning 2: A long essay or dissertation involving personal research, written for a university degree.

Translation(s) & Context:

• тезис - Used in educational contexts, often interchangeably with "диссертация" for advanced works, but more broadly for any central argument in a paper.

Usage Examples:

• Ее магистерская тезис была посвящена истории русской литературы. (Her master's thesis was dedicated to the history of Russian literature.)

  Translation: Her master's thesis was dedicated to the history of Russian literature.

• Студент защитил тезис на тему экологических проблем. (The student defended his thesis on environmental issues.)

  Translation: The student defended his thesis on environmental issues.

• Подготовка тезиса требует тщательного исследования источников. (Preparing a thesis requires thorough research of sources.)

  Translation: Preparing a thesis requires thorough research of sources.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"тезис" is a masculine noun (from Greek via Latin) and follows the standard third declension pattern for Russian nouns ending in a consonant. It has regular inflections based on case and number.

Note: The plural form is used for multiple theses, and inflections are regular, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: идея (idea - more general concept), гипотеза (hypothesis - implies testing), постулат (postulate - a fundamental assumption)
• Antonyms: анти-идея (anti-idea - a counterargument), опровержение (refutation - directly opposes a thesis)

Related Phrases:

• Основной тезис (Main thesis) - Refers to the central argument in a discussion or text.
• Защитить тезис (To defend a thesis) - Common in academic settings, meaning to present and argue for one's research.
• Тезис и антитезис (Thesis and antithesis) - A dialectical pair, often used in philosophical debates to show opposition.

Usage Notes:

"тезис" directly corresponds to the English "thesis" in academic and philosophical contexts, but it is more formal in Russian and rarely used in casual speech. When choosing between translations, use "тезис" for structured arguments or dissertations, and prefer "идея" for broader ideas. Be mindful of grammatical gender (masculine) and always adjust for case in sentences. In professional writing, it's essential to pair it with appropriate prepositions, such as "в тезисе" (in the thesis).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "тезис" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я согласен с тезис" instead of "Я согласен с тезисом" (Genitive case required after prepositions like "с").
  Correct: Я согласен с тезисом. (I agree with the thesis.)
  Explanation: Russian requires proper declension; ignoring case can make the sentence grammatically incorrect.
• Error: Confusing "тезис" with "идея," leading to misuse in academic contexts, e.g., treating a hypothesis as a thesis.
  Correct: Use "тезис" for a formal proposition and "гипотеза" for something testable.
  Explanation: These terms have subtle differences; mixing them can alter the meaning in scholarly discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "тезис" is heavily associated with intellectual and educational traditions, influenced by Soviet-era emphasis on dialectical materialism in philosophy (e.g., from Hegel and Marx). It often carries a connotation of rigorous debate, as seen in Russian literature and academia, where challenging a thesis is a key part of intellectual discourse.

Related Concepts:

• диссертация (dissertation)
• аргумент (argument)
• гипотеза (hypothesis)