Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'villein'

English Word: villein

Key Russian Translations:

• крепостной [krepɐtˈnoɪ] - [Formal, Historical]

Frequency: Low (This term is rarely used in modern Russian, primarily in historical or academic discussions about feudalism.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires knowledge of historical vocabulary and Russian noun inflections, as per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

крепостной: [krepɐtˈnoɪ]

Note on крепостной: The stress falls on the third syllable ('noɪ), and the 'р' is rolled. Be cautious with the vowel sounds, as [ɐ] is a reduced vowel common in unstressed positions.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A medieval peasant who was legally bound to a lord and required to perform labor services.

Translation(s) & Context:

• крепостной - Used in formal, historical, or literary contexts to describe serfs in feudal systems, often emphasizing legal obligations.

Usage Examples:

• В средневековой Англии крепостной был вынужден работать на земле своего лорда без права на свободу.

  In medieval England, a villein was forced to work on his lord's land without the right to freedom.

• Крепостной крестьянин в феодальном обществе не имел собственности на землю и зависел от воли помещика.

  A villein peasant in feudal society had no ownership of land and was dependent on the will of the landowner.

• История крепостного в Европе отражает жестокие реалии средневекового крепостничества.

  The history of the villein in Europe reflects the harsh realities of medieval serfdom.

• Многие крепостные в Англии XIII века боролись за свои права, но редко добивались успеха.

  Many villeins in 13th-century England fought for their rights but rarely succeeded.

• Крепостной мог быть передан от одного лорда к другому, как собственность, в отличие от свободных крестьян.

  A villein could be transferred from one lord to another as property, unlike free peasants.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"крепостной" is a masculine noun in Russian, derived from the adjective form, and follows standard first-declension patterns for animate nouns. It exhibits regular inflections based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, but its adjectival root allows for derivations like "крепостничество" (serfdom system).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • крестьянин (krest'yanin) - More general term for peasant, but can imply serf in historical contexts; often used interchangeably in literature.
  • подданный (poddannyy) - Emphasizes subjugation, suitable for formal historical descriptions.
• Antonyms:
  • свободный (svobodnyy) - Refers to a free person, highlighting the lack of bondage.
  • аристократ (aristokrat) - Contrasts with the lower social status of a villein.

Related Phrases:

• крепостное право (krepotnoye pravo) - Refers to the legal system of serfdom; used in historical discussions to describe feudal obligations.
• крепостной крестьянин (krepotnoy krest'yanin) - A common phrase meaning "serf peasant," directly paralleling the concept of a villein.
• освобождение крепостных (osvobozhdeniye krepotnykh) - Means "emancipation of serfs," often discussed in the context of historical reforms.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "крепостной" directly corresponds to "villein" in historical English contexts, emphasizing legal and social bondage. It is typically used in formal or academic writing rather than everyday conversation. When choosing between translations like "крепостной" and "крестьянин," opt for "крепостной" if the focus is on servitude; be mindful of grammatical gender (always masculine) and ensure proper inflection based on sentence case. This word carries a neutral connotation but can evoke empathy in narrative contexts.

• Avoid using it in modern settings, as it may sound archaic or overly formal.
• In comparative discussions, pair it with English equivalents for clarity, e.g., when teaching history.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "крепостной" with "крестьянин," mistakenly using the latter in contexts requiring emphasis on bondage. For example:

• Error: "Он был крестьянин в средневековой Англии." (Incorrect because it doesn't specify serfdom.)
• Correct: "Он был крепостной в средневековой Англии." (This accurately conveys the villein's status.)
• Explanation: The error stems from overlooking the legal implications; always check for context to select the precise term, as "крестьянин" is broader and doesn't imply unfreedom.

Another common mistake is improper inflection, such as using the nominative form in all cases: e.g., "Я говорю о крепостной" instead of "Я говорю о крепостном" in the prepositional case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "крепостной" evokes memories of Russia's own serfdom system, which lasted until 1861. It symbolizes the historical oppression under the tsarist regime, similar to the villein in English history, and is often discussed in literature like Tolstoy's works to highlight social inequalities and the human cost of feudalism.

Related Concepts:

• феодализм (feodalizm)
• помещик (pomeshchik)
• крестьянское восстание (krest'yanskoye vosstaniye)