race relations
C1Formal, Academic, Journalistic, Political
Definition
Meaning
The way in which people of different races or ethnic groups live together and behave towards each other, especially within a society or institution.
A sociological and political term describing the state of interactions, attitudes, policies, and power dynamics between racial or ethnic groups within a society, often with a focus on addressing prejudice, discrimination, and inequality.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term inherently implies a study or evaluation of a *relationship* between groups, not just the groups themselves. It is almost always used in a plural form ('relations'). It often carries a context of tension, policy, or social analysis, rather than simple coexistence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term identically. The UK historically associated it more with post-colonial immigration and Commonwealth groups, while the US context is deeply tied to the history of slavery, segregation, and Civil Rights.
Connotations
In both, it is a formal, often institutional term. It may evoke government bodies (e.g., UK's Race Relations Board, 1960s; US's Civil Rights Division). Slightly more bureaucratic/policy-oriented than colloquial.
Frequency
Equally frequent in formal/academic/news discourse in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N + N (compound noun)Adj + race relations (e.g., 'urban race relations')V + race relations (e.g., 'affect race relations')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A litmus test for race relations”
- “To set back race relations”
- “A thaw in race relations”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Used in corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports or diversity and inclusion (D&I) contexts: 'The company's hiring practices have implications for local race relations.'
Academic
Common in sociology, political science, history: 'The seminal study analysed post-war race relations in urban centres.'
Everyday
Used in news discussions or serious conversation: 'The incident has sparked a fresh debate about race relations in our town.'
Technical
Specific in sociology/policy: 'The coefficient measured the correlation between economic disparity and indices of race relations.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The new legislation aimed to **improve race relations** across the country.
- The speech was accused of **poisoning race relations** in the community.
American English
- The commission's role is to **monitor race relations** in the city.
- The event helped **heal race relations** after the protests.
adverb
British English
- No common adverbial form. Not used.
American English
- No common adverbial form. Not used.
adjective
British English
- The **race-relations** tribunal heard the case.
- He is a leading **race relations** expert.
American English
- She works for a **race relations** non-profit.
- The **race-relations** climate grew tense.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- People should be kind to each other for good race relations.
- We learn about race relations in school.
- The government wants to improve race relations in big cities.
- The newspaper article discussed the history of race relations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'RACE' as different groups running (like in a race) the 'RELATIONS'hip track of society—sometimes running together smoothly, sometimes bumping into each other.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A BODY (strained race relations are a 'sickness' or 'inflammation'; improving them is 'healing'). RELATIONS ARE A JOURNEY ('progress in race relations', 'set back race relations').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'расовые отношения' which can sound like personal romantic/sexual relationships between races. Use 'отношения между расами' or, more commonly, 'межрасовые отношения' or 'этнические отношения'. The term is abstract and societal, not interpersonal.
Common Mistakes
- Using singular 'relation' (incorrect). *'The race relation is good.' --> 'Race relations are good.' Confusing with 'racism' (which is a belief/system) or 'racial discrimination' (which is an action).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'race relations' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is almost always treated as a plural noun (e.g., 'Race relations are complex'). You would use a singular verb only in rare cases when referring to the abstract field as a whole (e.g., 'The study of race relations is important'), but even then, the plural is more common.
'Racism' refers to prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief in racial superiority. 'Race relations' is a broader, more neutral term describing the overall state of interactions and dynamics between racial groups in a society, which may be good, bad, or mixed. Racism is one factor that can negatively affect race relations.
No, not typically. It is a sociological term describing group-level dynamics within a society, community, or institution. It is about collective patterns, not individual friendships or conflicts.
It is a very close synonym and often used interchangeably, especially as 'race' is increasingly understood as a social construct. 'Ethnic relations' can sometimes sound slightly broader or more precise, as it can encompass cultural, linguistic, and national differences alongside perceived physical ones.