Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wartime'

English Word: wartime

Key Russian Translations:

• военное время [vɐɪˈnʲɵɪ vʲɪˈmʲa] - [Formal]
• период войны [pʲɪrʲɪˈɔd vɐɪˈnɨ] - [Informal, Plural if referring to multiple events]

Frequency: Medium (This term is commonly used in historical, journalistic, and academic contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun phrases and basic historical vocabulary, with some learners finding the compound structure challenging.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

военное время: [vɐɪˈnʲɵɪ vʲɪˈmʲa]

период войны: [pʲɪrʲɪˈɔd vɐɪˈnɨ]

Note on военное время: The stress falls on the second syllable of "военное" (/ˈnʲɵɪ/), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'н'. Pay attention to the soft sign (ь) for accurate pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: The period of time during which a war is actively occurring.

Translation(s) & Context:

• военное время - Used in formal discussions, such as history books or news reports, to describe ongoing conflict periods.
• период войны - Applied in informal or narrative contexts, often when discussing multiple wars or historical analyses.

Usage Examples:

• Во время Второй мировой войны многие города были разрушены.

  During wartimes like World War II, many cities were destroyed.

• В военное время граждане должны следовать строгим правилам.

  In wartimes, citizens must follow strict rules.

• Этот период войны оказал влияние на экономику всей страны.

  This period of wartimes affected the economy of the entire country.

• Историки изучают, как военное время изменяет социальную структуру.

  Historians study how wartimes alter social structures.

• В период войны люди часто мигрируют в поисках безопасности.

  During periods of wartimes, people often migrate in search of safety.

Secondary Meaning: A metaphorical or extended sense referring to times of intense conflict or crisis in non-military contexts (e.g., economic wartimes).

Translation(s) & Context:

• военное время - Used metaphorically in modern discussions, such as business or politics, to describe high-tension scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• В военное время экономики компании пришлось урезать расходы.

  In the wartimes of the economy, the company had to cut expenses.

• Политическое военное время требует единства от лидеров.

  Political wartimes demand unity from leaders.

• Этот кризис можно сравнить с военным временем в истории.

  This crisis can be compared to wartimes in history.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Военное время" is a noun phrase where "военное" is an adjective and "время" is a neuter noun. It follows standard Russian inflection rules for adjectives and nouns.

For "время" (neuter noun, 3rd declension):

For "военное" (adjective, agrees with "время"):

• It changes based on case, number, and gender. In plural form: "военные времена".

"Период войны" follows similar patterns: "период" is masculine and inflects regularly, while "войны" (genitive of "война") is feminine and has its own declensions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • военный период (similar, but emphasizes the military aspect more distinctly)
  • эпоха конфликта (used in broader, more poetic contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • мирное время (peaceful time)
  • период стабильности (period of stability)

Related Phrases:

• Военное положение - A state of emergency during wartimes; often declared in times of conflict.
• Время военных действий - The era of active military operations; used in strategic discussions.
• Жизнь в военное время - Life during wartimes; a common phrase in memoirs or literature.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "wartime" is not a single word but a phrase like "военное время," which directly mirrors the English concept. Use "военное время" in formal or written contexts, as it conveys precision. Be cautious with word order; Russian often places adjectives before nouns. When translating, choose between translations based on context: "военное время" for military-specific scenarios and "период войны" for historical overviews. Grammatically, ensure adjectives agree in case, number, and gender with the noun.

• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; integrate into full sentences for natural flow.
• In spoken Russian, it may be shortened in casual speech, e.g., "в военное" in dialects.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse case endings, such as saying "военное времем" instead of "военное время" in instrumental case. Correct usage: Incorrect - "Я работал в военное времем" (wrong case); Correct - "Я работал в военное время" (nominative). Another error is confusing it with "время войны," which is synonymous but less formal; explain that both are acceptable, but "военное время" is preferred in official documents to avoid ambiguity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "военное время" evoke strong historical connotations, particularly from events like World War II (known as the Great Patriotic War). It symbolizes resilience and sacrifice, often appearing in literature, films, and national holidays, helping to foster a sense of collective memory and patriotism.

Related Concepts:

• мирное время
• военная история
• кризисный период