Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tribe'

English Word: tribe

Key Russian Translations:

• племя /ˈplʲemʲə/ - [Formal, used in anthropological or historical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly encountered in discussions of history, anthropology, or culture, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2) - Involves understanding noun declensions and contextual usage, which can be challenging for beginners due to Russian's complex grammar.

Pronunciation (Russian):

племя: /ˈplʲemʲə/

Note on племя: The soft 'л' sound (as in /lʲ/) can be tricky for English speakers; it's similar to the 'l' in "million" but softer. Stress is on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Anthropological or Social Group

Translation(s) & Context:

• племя - Used to refer to a social or ethnic group with shared ancestry, culture, or traditions, often in formal, historical, or academic settings.

Usage Examples:

• Древнее племя населяло эти горы веками. (An ancient tribe inhabited these mountains for centuries.)

  An ancient tribe inhabited these mountains for centuries.

• Африканские племена имеют богатые традиции и обычаи. (African tribes have rich traditions and customs.)

  African tribes have rich traditions and customs.

• Исследователи изучают культуру индейского племени. (Researchers are studying the culture of the Native American tribe.)

  Researchers are studying the culture of the Native American tribe.

• Это племя известно своими ритуалами и искусством. (This tribe is known for its rituals and art.)

  This tribe is known for its rituals and art.

• Современные племена адаптируются к городскому образу жизни. (Modern tribes are adapting to urban lifestyles.)

  Modern tribes are adapting to urban lifestyles.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Племя" is a neuter noun in Russian, and it follows the standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. It changes based on case, number, and gender agreement. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is regular in its declension, but pay attention to the soft ending in some cases, which affects pronunciation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • клан (clan) - Often used interchangeably but implies a more family-based structure.
  • этнос (ethnos) - Refers to an ethnic group with broader cultural implications.
• Antonyms:
  • государство (state) - Represents a more organized, modern political entity as opposed to a tribal structure.

Related Phrases:

• Индейское племя (Indian tribe) - Refers to Native American or indigenous groups in a historical context.
• Племенной вождь (Tribal chief) - Used for leaders within a tribal society, emphasizing hierarchy.
• Традиции племени (Traditions of the tribe) - Common in discussions of cultural heritage and customs.

Usage Notes:

"Племя" directly corresponds to the English "tribe" in contexts like anthropology or history, but it's more formal in Russian and less common in everyday speech. Use it in academic or descriptive writing rather than casual conversation. Be mindful of Russian case endings when using it in sentences—always adjust for the sentence structure. If multiple translations exist, choose "племя" for precise ethnic or social groups; opt for "клан" if the emphasis is on family ties.

• In formal contexts, pair it with adjectives for specificity, e.g., "древнее племя" (ancient tribe).
• Avoid using it metaphorically unless the context is clear, as Russian prefers more literal applications.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse case endings, such as using the nominative "племя" in all contexts. For example:

• Error: Говорить о племя (Incorrect: This should be in the prepositional case for "about the tribe").
• Correct: Говорить о племени (Correct usage with prepositional case).
• Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change based on their role in the sentence. Always check the case to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, "племя" often evokes images of ancient Slavic or indigenous groups, such as the East Slavic tribes before the formation of Kievan Rus'. It carries connotations of pre-modern societies and is frequently discussed in the context of national identity or folklore, helping to distinguish between tribal and state-level organizations in historical narratives.

Related Concepts:

• народ (people)
• этнос (ethnos)
• клan (clan)