Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Accomplice'

English Word: Accomplice

Key Russian Translations:

• сообщник [sɐˈobʂnʲɪk] - [Formal, Neutral]
• пособник [pɐˈsobnʲɪk] - [Formal, Often Negative Connotation]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

сообщник: [sɐˈobʂnʲɪk]

Note on сообщник: The stress falls on the second syllable. The "щ" sound is a soft, hissing sound unique to Russian.

пособник: [pɐˈsobnʲɪk]

Note on пособник: The stress is on the second syllable. The "о" in the first syllable is reduced to a schwa sound in unstressed position.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A person who helps another commit a crime

Translation(s) & Context:

• сообщник - Commonly used in legal or neutral contexts to refer to someone involved in a crime.
• пособник - Often carries a stronger negative tone, implying active assistance in wrongdoing, sometimes used in political or moral criticism.

Usage Examples:

• Он был арестован как сообщник в ограблении банка.

  He was arrested as an accomplice in the bank robbery.

• Её обвинили в том, что она сообщник преступной группировки.

  She was accused of being an accomplice to a criminal gang.

• Пособник врага был осуждён за предательство.

  The accomplice of the enemy was convicted of treason.

• Они искали пособников, которые помогли скрыть улики.

  They were looking for accomplices who helped hide the evidence.

• Сообщник признался в содействии преступлению.

  The accomplice confessed to aiding the crime.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

сообщник (Masculine Noun): Follows the standard masculine noun declension in Russian.

пособник (Masculine Noun): Follows a similar masculine noun declension pattern.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for сообщник/пособник:

• соучастник
• приспешник (more negative tone)

Note: "соучастник" is often interchangeable with "сообщник" in legal contexts, while "приспешник" implies a subordinate role and carries a derogatory tone.

Antonyms for сообщник/пособник:

• противник
• жертва

Related Phrases:

• сообщник преступления - Accomplice in a crime.
• пособник врага - Accomplice of the enemy (often used in political or wartime contexts).
• стать сообщником - To become an accomplice.

Usage Notes:

• "Сообщник" is the more neutral and commonly used term for "accomplice," especially in legal or everyday contexts. It does not inherently carry a strong negative judgment.
• "Пособник" often implies a moral judgment and is used in contexts where the assistance is seen as particularly reprehensible, such as aiding an enemy or oppressor.
• Both nouns are masculine and follow regular declension patterns, so pay attention to case endings when using them in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "пособник" in neutral contexts where "сообщник" would be more appropriate. For example, saying "пособник в краже" (accomplice in a theft) might sound overly harsh or judgmental.

  Correct Usage: Use "сообщник в краже" for a neutral description of someone involved in a theft.

• Error: Incorrect case endings due to confusion with other noun declensions. For example, using "сообщником" in the accusative case instead of "сообщника."

  Correct Usage: "Я видел сообщника" (I saw the accomplice), not "Я видел сообщником."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the term "пособник" is often associated with historical contexts, such as collaboration with enemies during wars (e.g., World War II). It carries a heavy negative connotation and is sometimes used in political rhetoric to denounce someone as a traitor or collaborator.

Related Concepts:

• преступление (crime)
• соучастие (complicity)
• предательство (betrayal)