Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'victory'

English Word: victory

Key Russian Translations:

• победа [pɐˈbʲedə] - [Formal, Informal; Used in contexts of achievement, competition, or conflict]
• триумф [trʲɪˈumf] - [Formal; Often implies a more celebratory or grand victory]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in everyday language, media, and historical contexts in Russian-speaking regions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Basic understanding required for nouns and inflections, but contextual usage may vary for advanced speakers)

Pronunciation (Russian):

победа: [pɐˈbʲedə] (The stress is on the second syllable; the 'б' is a soft bilabial stop, which can be challenging for English speakers)

триумф: [trʲɪˈumf] (Stress on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'т' sound)

Note on победа: The 'е' in the second syllable can vary slightly in speeded speech, sounding closer to [je] in informal contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A success or achievement in a struggle, competition, or conflict.

Translation(s) & Context:

• победа - Used in general contexts for any type of victory, such as in sports, wars, or personal accomplishments; common in both spoken and written Russian.
• триумф - Applied in more formal or triumphant scenarios, like historical events or celebrations; less everyday than победа.

Usage Examples:

• Мы празднуем нашу победу в финале чемпионата.

  We are celebrating our victory in the championship final.

• Победа советских войск в Великой Отечественной войне запомнилась на века.

  The victory of the Soviet troops in the Great Patriotic War is remembered for centuries.

• Его триумф на Олимпиаде вдохновил всю страну.

  His triumph at the Olympics inspired the entire country.

• После долгой борьбы, победа наконец пришла к нам.

  After a long struggle, victory finally came to us.

• В науке, триумф открытия новой вакцины был встречен с энтузиазмом.

  In science, the triumph of discovering a new vaccine was met with enthusiasm.

Meaning 2: A metaphorical or symbolic win, such as in personal growth or ideology.

Translation(s) & Context:

• победа - Often used metaphorically, e.g., in self-improvement contexts; flexible across formal and informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Ее личная победа над страхами изменила всю жизнь.

  Her personal victory over fears changed her entire life.

• Победа справедливости над коррупцией - это общая цель общества.

  The victory of justice over corruption is a common goal of society.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

победа is a feminine noun (3rd declension). It follows standard Russian noun inflections for case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

триумф is also a masculine noun with regular inflections, but it is less frequently inflected in modern usage. For example: Nominative singular - триумф; Genitive singular - триумфа.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • успех (success; more general and less emphatic)
  • победа (as primary, but can be nuanced with триумф for grandeur)
• Antonyms:
  • поражение (defeat; commonly used in competitive contexts)
  • неудача (failure; for personal or minor setbacks)

Related Phrases:

• Великая Победа - Refers to the Soviet victory in World War II; often used in historical and patriotic contexts.
• Достичь триумфа - To achieve triumph; used for significant accomplishments in sports or arts.
• Победа над собой - Victory over oneself; a phrase for personal development or overcoming challenges.

Usage Notes:

победа directly corresponds to "victory" in English, making it a straightforward translation for most contexts, but триумф adds a layer of celebration or spectacle. In Russian, these words are often used in formal writing, speeches, or media. Be mindful of gender agreement; as a feminine noun, победа requires adjectives and verbs to agree (e.g., "большая победа" for "great victory"). When choosing between translations, opt for победа in everyday scenarios and триумф for more grandiose events. Grammatical notes: Always consider case inflections in sentences, as Russian sentence structure demands it for accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the nominative form "победа" in all cases, e.g., saying "рад победа" instead of "рад победе" (genitive/dative context).
  Correct: "Я рад победе" (I am glad about the victory). Explanation: English speakers often overlook Russian case requirements, leading to grammatical errors.
• Mistake: Confusing with synonyms, e.g., using "успех" where "победа" is needed for a competitive win.
  Correct: Use "победа" for victory in a contest; "успех" for general success. Explanation: This can dilute the specific meaning, so context is key.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "победа" holds deep historical significance, particularly referring to the Soviet victory in World War II (known as the Great Patriotic War). It is celebrated annually on Victory Day (May 9th) with parades and memorials, symbolizing national resilience and pride. This cultural weight can make the word more emotionally charged than its English counterpart.

Related Concepts:

• война (war)
• герой (hero)
• борьба (struggle)