Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tractate'

English Word: tractate

Key Russian Translations:

• трактат [trɐkˈtat] - [Formal, Academic]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in academic, historical, or religious contexts; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian nominal declensions and academic vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

трактат: [trɐkˈtat]

Note on трактат: The stress is on the second syllable ('тат'). The 'р' is a rolled 'r' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: Listen to pronunciation [Audio file placeholder]

Meanings and Usage:

A treatise or a written work, especially in religious or scholarly contexts

Translation(s) & Context:

• трактат - Used in formal academic or historical discussions, such as referring to rabbinic texts in Jewish studies.

Usage Examples:

• Этот трактат описывает древние законы иудаизма. (This tractate describes ancient laws of Judaism.)

  English Translation: This tractate describes the ancient laws of Judaism.

• В библиотеке есть несколько трактатов по философии. (In the library, there are several tractates on philosophy.)

  English Translation: In the library, there are several tractates on philosophy.

• Авторы трактатов часто цитируются в научных работах. (Authors of tractates are often cited in scholarly works.)

  English Translation: Authors of tractates are often cited in scholarly works.

• Этот трактат был переведен на русский в XIX веке. (This tractate was translated into Russian in the 19th century.)

  English Translation: This tractate was translated into Russian in the 19th century.

• В трактате обсуждаются этические вопросы. (In the tractate, ethical questions are discussed.)

  English Translation: In the tractate, ethical questions are discussed. This example shows the word in a broader intellectual context.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Трактат" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows standard 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 works, and inflections are regular, making it straightforward for learners at B2 level.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • труд (trud) - More general term for a work or labor, often implying effort; used in broader contexts.
  • сочинение (sochineniye) - Refers to a composition or essay; less formal than трактат.
• Antonyms:
  • простая статья (prostaya stat'ya) - A simple article; implies something less comprehensive.

Related Phrases:

• Научный трактат (Nauchnyy traktat) - Scientific tractate; refers to a scholarly work in science.
• Религиозный трактат (Religioznyy traktat) - Religious tractate; commonly used in theological discussions.
• Классический трактат (Klassicheskiy traktat) - Classical tractate; implies historical or foundational texts.

Usage Notes:

"Трактат" directly corresponds to "tractate" in English, particularly in academic or religious contexts, but it is more commonly used for philosophical or treaty-like works. It is typically formal and should be avoided in casual conversations. When choosing between synonyms like "труд" or "сочинение," opt for "трактат" if the text is structured and authoritative. Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian case rules to maintain sentence flow, e.g., use genitive "трактата" after prepositions like "о" (about).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "трактат" without proper declension, e.g., saying "о трактат" instead of "о трактате" (in the prepositional case).

  Correct: О трактате говорят в лекции. (They talk about the tractate in the lecture.)

  Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; failing this can make the sentence grammatically incorrect and confusing for native speakers.

• Error: Confusing it with "текст" (text), which is more general and not specific to structured works.

  Correct: Это не просто текст, а полноценный трактат. (This is not just a text, but a full tractate.)

  Explanation: "Трактат" implies depth and formality, so using a vaguer word dilutes the meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "трактат" often evokes historical and intellectual traditions, such as the works of Russian philosophers like Vladimir Solovyov. It is frequently associated with Jewish studies (e.g., Talmudic tractates translated into Russian), reflecting Russia's diverse religious heritage and the influence of Western intellectual movements.

Related Concepts:

• талмуд (talmud)
• эссе (esse)
• диссертация (dissertatsiya)