Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tyranny'

English Word: tyranny

Key Russian Translations:

• тирания /tʲɪˈranʲɪjə/ - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in political, historical, or academic discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding political concepts and Russian noun declensions; suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

тирания: /tʲɪˈranʲɪjə/

Note on тирания: The stress falls on the third syllable (-'ran-). Be mindful of the palatalized 't' sound (/tʲ/), which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Oppressive rule or power (e.g., unjust and absolute control by a government or ruler)

Translation(s) & Context:

• тирания - Used in formal contexts such as political debates, historical analyses, or academic writing to describe authoritarian regimes.

Usage Examples:

• В стране установилась тирания, где права граждан игнорируются.

  In the country, tyranny was established, where citizens' rights are ignored.

• История полна примеров тирании, которая вела к революциям.

  History is full of examples of tyranny that led to revolutions.

• Под тиранией диктатора народ жил в страхе и нищете.

  Under the tyranny of the dictator, the people lived in fear and poverty.

• Современные дебаты о тирании часто касаются авторитарных режимов в мире.

  Modern debates about tyranny often concern authoritarian regimes around the world.

• Тирания может проявляться не только в политике, но и в повседневной жизни.

  Tyranny can manifest not only in politics but also in everyday life.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Тирания" is a feminine noun of the first declension in Russian. It follows regular patterns for feminine nouns ending in -ия. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • деспотизм (despotism; implies more personal rule by a single leader)
  • автократия (autocracy; used for absolute rule, often with a focus on self-governance)
  • диктатура (dictatorship; similar but can imply a temporary or military context)
• Antonyms:
  • демократия (democracy; represents a system of government by the people)
  • свобода (freedom; contrasts with oppression in a broader sense)

Related Phrases:

• тиранический режим - A tyrannical regime; refers to an oppressive government system.
• борьба с тиранией - Struggle against tyranny; commonly used in historical or activist contexts.
• тирания закона - Tyranny of the law; implies excessive or unjust legal enforcement.

Usage Notes:

"Тирания" directly corresponds to the English "tyranny" in meaning, but it is typically reserved for formal or serious discussions in Russian, such as politics or history. Unlike English, where "tyranny" can be used metaphorically in everyday language, in Russian it often carries a weightier connotation and is less common in casual speech. When choosing between synonyms like "деспотизм" or "диктатура", select based on context: use "тирания" for broader oppressive systems. Always pay attention to Russian case endings, as they affect sentence structure (e.g., in prepositional phrases).

Common Errors:

• Confusing "тирания" with "тиран" (tyrant, a person), which is a related but distinct noun. Incorrect: "Тирания правит страной" (implying the concept rules); Correct: "Тиран правит страной" if referring to a ruler. Explanation: "Тирания" is an abstract noun, so it shouldn't be used where a personal subject is needed.
• Overusing in informal contexts, e.g., saying "Это тирания!" for minor annoyances, which sounds exaggerated in Russian. Correct approach: Reserve it for significant oppression and use milder terms like "угнетение" for everyday issues.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "тирания" often evokes historical references to events like the Stalinist era or tsarist autocracy, symbolizing the struggle against oppression in Russian literature and history. It carries a deep emotional weight, reflecting Russia's complex past with authoritarian rule, which can influence its usage in modern discussions about governance and freedom.

Related Concepts:

• диктатура
• авторитаризм
• оппозиция