Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wrestling'

English Word: wrestling

Key Russian Translations:

• борьба [bɐrʲˈba] - [Formal, Sport context; used for the organized sport or general physical struggle]

Frequency: Medium (Common in sports discussions, literature, and everyday conversations about competition or physical activity)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and contexts, based on CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

борьба: [bɐrʲˈba]

Note on борьба: The stress is on the second syllable ('ba). The 'р' is a soft rolled 'r' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The sport of wrestling (physical combat sport involving grappling and pinning opponents)

Translation(s) & Context:

• борьба - Used in formal and informal contexts for organized sports, such as Olympic wrestling or amateur competitions; common in sports commentary or educational settings.

Usage Examples:

• Он тренируется в борьбе каждый день, чтобы подготовиться к соревнованиям.

  He trains in wrestling every day to prepare for the competitions.

• Борьба — это древний вид спорта, который требует силы и ловкости.

  Wrestling is an ancient sport that requires strength and agility.

• В олимпийских играх борьба всегда привлекает много зрителей.

  In the Olympic Games, wrestling always attracts a lot of spectators.

• Дети в лагере учились основам борьбы под руководством тренера.

  The children at the camp learned the basics of wrestling under the coach's guidance.

• Профессиональная борьба часто включает элементы шоу и развлечений.

  Professional wrestling often includes elements of show and entertainment.

2. General struggling, fighting, or conflict (metaphorical use, e.g., in life or politics)

Translation(s) & Context:

• борьба - Used metaphorically in formal contexts for non-physical struggles, such as social or ideological conflicts; less common in casual speech but frequent in literature or news.

Usage Examples:

• Его жизнь была полной борьбы за справедливость.

  His life was full of struggle for justice.

• Борьба с бедностью остается одной из главных проблем общества.

  The struggle against poverty remains one of society's main issues.

• В политике борьба за власть может быть жестокой.

  In politics, the struggle for power can be brutal.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Борьба" is a feminine noun of the first declension in Russian. It follows regular patterns for most cases but has specific changes based on number and grammatical case. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • драка (draka) - More informal, implies a fight or scuffle; used for physical altercations rather than organized sports.
  • схватка (skhvatka) - Emphasizes a brief, intense struggle; often used in literary or dramatic contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • мир (mir) - Means "peace"; contrasts with any form of conflict or struggle.
  • согласие (soglasie) - Means "agreement" or "harmony"; used in contexts opposing competition or fighting.

Related Phrases:

• спортивная борьба - Sports wrestling; a common phrase in athletic contexts, referring to competitive events.
• борьба за жизнь - Struggle for life; used metaphorically for survival situations, often in dramatic or survival stories.
• классовая борьба - Class struggle; a term from Marxist theory, frequently used in historical or political discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Борьба" directly corresponds to "wrestling" in its sports-related meaning but can extend metaphorically to any form of struggle, similar to how "wrestling" is used in English idioms. Be mindful of context: in formal settings like sports or academia, it's neutral, but in everyday speech, it might imply intensity. When choosing between translations, opt for "борьба" for precise matches; avoid overusing it in casual talk to prevent sounding overly dramatic. Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian case rules for natural flow.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "борьба" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я смотрю борьба" instead of "Я смотрю на борьбу" (I am watching wrestling).
  Correct: The prepositional case requires "борьбу" in accusative or "борьбе" in other contexts; this error stems from direct word-for-word translation from English.
• Mistake: Confusing "борьба" with "драка" in formal contexts, e.g., using "драка" to describe an Olympic event.
  Correct: "Драка" implies a casual fight, so stick with "борьба" for organized sports; this mix-up can make speech sound informal or inaccurate.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "борьба" holds significant historical and symbolic weight, often linked to traditional folk sports and Soviet-era athletic prowess. Wrestling has been a staple in Russian physical education and Olympic training, symbolizing resilience and national strength, as seen in events like the World Wrestling Championships. Metaphorically, it reflects the Russian ethos of enduring hardship, drawing from literary works like those of Tolstoy, where struggle represents personal or societal growth.

Related Concepts:

• спорт (sport)
• схватка (clash or grapple)
• олимпиада (Olympics)