Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'violence'

English Word: violence

Key Russian Translations:

• насилие [nəˈsʲilʲɪje] - [Formal, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly used in discussions of social issues, news, and legal contexts in Russian media and literature)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) - Requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and abstract concepts, suitable for learners with basic grammar knowledge

Pronunciation (Russian):

насилие: [nəˈsʲilʲɪje]

Note on насилие: The stress falls on the third syllable ("sʲilʲ"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'sʲ' sound. Practice with native speakers for accurate pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Physical or emotional force intended to harm

Translation(s) & Context:

• насилие - Used in formal contexts like legal documents, news reports, or discussions about crime and human rights.

Usage Examples:

• В современном обществе насилие над женщинами остается серьезной проблемой.

  In modern society, violence against women remains a serious problem.

• Он осуждал насилие в любых формах, включая психологическое давление.

  He condemned violence in any form, including psychological pressure.

• Насилие в фильмах часто вызывает споры среди зрителей.

  Violence in films often sparks debates among viewers.

• Правительство принимает меры для предотвращения уличного насилия.

  The government is taking measures to prevent street violence.

• Насилие в семье может привести к долгосрочным психологическим травмам.

  Domestic violence can lead to long-term psychological trauma.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Насилие" is a neuter noun in Russian, which follows the standard declension pattern for third-declension nouns. It is inflected based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table of its basic forms:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, but pay attention to the soft sign (ь) in certain cases, which affects pronunciation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • агрессия (aggression) - Often used interchangeably but implies more outward hostility.
  • жестокость (cruelty) - Emphasizes a lack of compassion rather than physical force.
• Antonyms:
  • мир (peace)
  • спокойствие (calmness)

Related Phrases:

• Физическое насилие (Physical violence) - Refers to bodily harm or assault in contexts like law enforcement or health discussions.
• Психологическое насилие (Psychological violence) - Involves emotional abuse, common in family or workplace scenarios.
• Остановить насилие (To stop violence) - A phrase used in activist campaigns, emphasizing intervention and prevention.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "насилие" directly corresponds to "violence" in English but is often used in more formal or official contexts, such as legal, social, or academic discussions. It can encompass both physical and non-physical forms, but learners should note that Russian tends to specify the type (e.g., "физическое насилие" for physical). In everyday speech, alternatives like "агрессия" might be used for less severe situations. When choosing between translations, opt for "насилие" in contexts involving crime or human rights to maintain precision. Grammatically, always decline it according to the sentence's case to avoid errors.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "насилие" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я боюсь насилие" instead of "Я боюсь насилия" (in genitive case after "боюсь").
  Correct: "Я боюсь насилия" - Explanation: Russian requires nouns to agree in case with prepositions or verbs, so always check the sentence structure.
• Mistake: Confusing it with "насильник" (perpetrator of violence), which is a different noun. Learners might misuse it as a synonym.
  Correct: Use "насильник" only for the person committing the act, not the act itself. For example, say "Жертва насилия" (Victim of violence) instead of incorrectly generalizing.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and society, "насилие" often carries strong connotations related to historical events like the Soviet-era purges or contemporary issues such as domestic abuse and state repression. It is a sensitive topic in media and literature, frequently discussed in the context of human rights, as influenced by events like the Chechen conflicts. Understanding this word helps English speakers grasp the emotional weight it holds in Russian discourse, where it symbolizes broader struggles for justice and equality.

Related Concepts:

• преступление (crime)
• абьюз (abuse - often borrowed from English in modern contexts)
• конфликт (conflict)