Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'totalitarian'

English Word: totalitarian

Key Russian Translations:

• тоталитарный (/tətɐlʲɪˈtarnɨj/) - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (Primarily used in political, historical, or academic discussions; not everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of political vocabulary and adjective inflections in Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

тоталитарный: /tətɐlʲɪˈtarnɨj/

Note on тоталитарный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("tar"). Be aware of the soft "лʲ" sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Relating to a system of government where the state has total control over all aspects of public and private life, often suppressing individual freedoms.

Translation(s) & Context:

• тоталитарный - Used in formal contexts such as political analysis, history, or critiques of authoritarian regimes.

Usage Examples:

• В советское время тоталитарный режим контролировал все аспекты жизни граждан.

  In Soviet times, the totalitarian regime controlled all aspects of citizens' lives.

• Тоталитарный лидер не терпит никакой оппозиции и подавляет свободу слова.

  A totalitarian leader does not tolerate any opposition and suppresses freedom of speech.

• Многие историки изучают, как тоталитарные системы влияют на общество в долгосрочной перспективе.

  Many historians study how totalitarian systems affect society in the long term.

• В современном мире тоталитарный подход к управлению часто критикуется международным сообществом.

  In the modern world, a totalitarian approach to governance is often criticized by the international community.

• Книга описывает, как тоталитарный контроль над СМИ манипулирует общественным мнением.

  The book describes how totalitarian control over the media manipulates public opinion.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Тоталитарный" is an adjective in Russian, which inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for adjectives ending in -ый. Below is a table of its basic inflections:

Note: This adjective is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward once basic adjective patterns are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • автократический (autocratic; implies rule by one person with absolute power, often with a similar connotation but less emphasis on total state control).
  • диктаторский (dictatorial; used for oppressive rule, but more focused on individual authority).
• Antonyms:
  • демократический (democratic; represents a system based on popular vote and freedoms).
  • либеральный (liberal; emphasizes individual rights and limited government intervention).

Related Phrases:

• Тоталитарный режим - A system of totalitarian government; often used in historical contexts to describe regimes like Stalin's USSR.
• Тоталитарная пропаганда - Totalitarian propaganda; refers to state-controlled media manipulation.
• Тоталитарное государство - Totalitarian state; a common phrase in political science discussions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "тоталитарный" directly corresponds to the English "totalitarian" and is typically used in formal or academic settings. It carries a negative connotation, often linked to historical events like the Soviet era. When choosing this word over synonyms like "автократический," opt for it when emphasizing comprehensive state control rather than just personal dictatorship. Be mindful of grammatical agreement: always inflect it to match the noun's gender, number, and case. For example, it's rarely used in casual conversation but is common in essays or debates.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "тоталитарный" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "тоталитарный женщина" instead of "тоталитарная женщина" (for a feminine noun).

  Correct: тоталитарная женщина (a totalitarian woman leader). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify; failing to do so can make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

• Error: Confusing it with "автократический" and using it interchangeably without context, e.g., describing a single ruler's actions as "тоталитарный" when "автократический" might be more precise.

  Correct: Use "тоталитарный" for broad state control, as in "тоталитарный режим," not just for individual tyranny. Explanation: This misuse can alter the meaning, making the description less accurate in political discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, "тоталитарный" is heavily associated with the Soviet Union under Stalin, where total state control was a defining feature. This word often evokes memories of censorship, purges, and propaganda, making it a sensitive term in modern Russian discourse. Understanding this context helps English speakers grasp why it's frequently used in critiques of authoritarianism in post-Soviet states.

Related Concepts:

• диктатура (dictatorship)
• авторитаризм (authoritarianism)
• репрессия (repression)