Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vassal'

English Word: vassal

Key Russian Translations:

• вассал /vɐˈsaɫ/ - [Formal, Historical context; used in discussions of feudal systems]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation; it appears primarily in historical, legal, or academic texts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with historical concepts and borrowed vocabulary from Western languages, as per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вассал: /vɐˈsaɫ/

Note on вассал: The stress falls on the second syllable (/ˈsaɫ/), which can be tricky for English speakers accustomed to stress patterns in loanwords. Pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech, softening the 'л' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A feudal tenant or subordinate

Translation(s) & Context:

• вассал - Used in formal or historical contexts to describe a person bound by feudal loyalty, often in legal or academic discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В Средние века вассал должен был клясться верностью своему сеньору.

  In the Middle Ages, a vassal had to swear loyalty to his lord.

• В феодальной системе вассал получал землю в обмен на военную службу.

  In the feudal system, a vassal received land in exchange for military service.

• Современные историки изучают роль вассала в средневековой Европе.

  Modern historians study the role of the vassal in medieval Europe.

• Как вассал короля, он был обязан участвовать в военных кампаниях.

  As the king's vassal, he was obligated to participate in military campaigns.

• Вассал мог иметь своих собственных вассалов, создавая цепь лояльности.

  A vassal could have his own vassals, creating a chain of loyalty.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Вассал" is a masculine noun of the second declension in Russian, which means it follows regular patterns for most cases. It is inflected based on grammatical case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its basic declensions (singular form only, as plural is less common in this context):

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it relatively straightforward for learners. In plural form (e.g., вассалы), it follows standard second-declension patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: подданный (subject; more general, implying loyalty to a state), слуга (servant; informal, everyday context)
• Antonyms: сеньор (lord; the superior in a feudal relationship), властелин (ruler; implies greater authority)

Brief notes: "Подданный" is a close synonym but often used in modern contexts for citizens, while "сеньор" highlights the hierarchical opposite in feudal settings.

Related Phrases:

• Феодальный вассал - A feudal vassal; refers to the historical role in medieval society.
• Клятва вассала - Oath of a vassal; used in contexts of loyalty and fealty.
• Вассалитет - Vassalage; the system or state of being a vassal, often in legal discussions.

Usage Notes:

This Russian translation corresponds closely to the English "vassal" in historical and feudal contexts, but it is a borrowed word and less common in contemporary Russian. Use it primarily in formal writing or academic discussions to avoid anachronisms. Be mindful of grammatical gender (masculine), and ensure the correct case based on sentence structure. When choosing between translations like "вассал" and "подданный," opt for "вассал" if the context is specifically feudal; otherwise, "подданный" may be more appropriate for modern loyalty scenarios.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "вассал" in non-historical contexts, such as everyday business relationships. Correct usage: Reserve it for feudal or historical topics. Example of error: "Мой сотрудник — вассал в офисе." (Incorrect: My employee is a vassal in the office.) Correct: "Мой сотрудник — подчиненный в офисе." (My employee is a subordinate in the office.) Explanation: "Вассал" implies a specific medieval bond, which doesn't apply here.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, such as using the nominative form in all cases. Correct usage: Always adjust for case, e.g., "Я изучаю вассала" (wrong) vs. "Я изучаю вассала" (correct in accusative, but context matters). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so learners must practice declensions to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

The concept of a "вассал" is deeply rooted in European feudalism, which influenced Russian history through interactions with Western powers. In Russia, similar ideas appeared in the form of the "boyar" system, where nobles swore allegiance to the tsar. Understanding this term helps English speakers grasp the cultural dynamics of medieval society, where personal loyalty and land tenure were intertwined, as seen in Russian literature like Tolstoy's works.

Related Concepts:

• сеньор
• феодализм
• подданный
• властелин