переворо́т
perevorótmasculine
The English phrase 'coup' is translated into Russian as переворо́т (perevorót).
переворо́т refers to the takeover of power by one group over another. While this word can mean any kind of reversal or overturn, it is most commonly used in the fixed phrase государственный переворот to specifically denote a political coup d'état or a state coup.
Meaning: takeover of one group by another (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word переворо́т is a compound of the prefix пере- (meaning over or across) and the root ворот (meaning turn or rotation), literally translating to an 'overturn' or 'reversal'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word переворо́т is a masculine noun that follows standard declension. For instance, the genitive singular form is переворота, meaning 'of the coup'.
How do you pronounce it?
perevorót
Did you know?
- The root ворот in переворо́т is the same root used in the word for 'collar' воротни́к, as both relate to things that turn or wrap around the neck.
- Russian uses the loanword путч for a coup, borrowed from the German 'putsch', but it often carries a specific nuance of an attempted or failed seizure of power.
- If you use the word переворо́т to describe a change in a person's life, it carries a much more violent or radical connotation than the English 'turnaround'.
Examples in context
- Исторический переворот в России произошел в 1917 году.The historical coup in Russia occurred in 1917.
- Путч в 1991 году привел к развалу СССР.The coup in 1991 led to the collapse of the USSR.
- Этот военный переворо́т изменил всё.Etot voyennyy perevorot izmenil vsyo.This military coup changed everything.
- Они планировали государственный переворо́т.Oni planirovali gosudarstvennyy perevorot.They were planning a state coup.
- После переворо́та в стране начался хаос.Posle perevorota v strane nachalsya khaos.After the coup, chaos began in the country.
Example conversation
Andrey and Olga are discussing a history book.
- Андрей AndreyТы читала про этот переворо́т?Ty chitala pro etot perevorot?Did you read about this coup?
- Ольга OlgaДа, это была очень опасная ситуация.Da, eto byla ochen opasnaya situatsiya.Yes, it was a very dangerous situation.
- Андрей AndreyМногие люди пострадали во время него.Mnogiye lyudi postradali vo vremya nego.Many people suffered during it.
- Ольга OlgaСогласна, Андрей, это была трагедия.Soglasna, Andrey, eto byla tragediya.I agree, Andrey, it was a tragedy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “coup” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
