Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Adolescent'

English Word: Adolescent

Key Russian Translations:

• подросток [ˌpodˈrostək] - [Informal, Common]
• юноша [ˈjuːnəʂə] - [Formal, Often Male]
• девушка [ˈdʲevuʂkə] - [Formal, Often Female, Young Woman]

Frequency: High (especially "подросток")

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate; "подросток" is easier, while "юноша" and "девушка" may require context understanding)

Pronunciation (Russian):

подросток: [ˌpodˈrostək]

Note on подросток: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "о" sounds are reduced in unstressed positions.

юноша: [ˈjuːnəʂə]

Note on юноша: The "ю" is pronounced as "yoo," and stress is on the first syllable.

девушка: [ˈdʲevuʂkə]

Note on девушка: Stress on the first syllable; the "е" is palatalized.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A young person in the stage between childhood and adulthood

Translation(s) & Context:

• подросток - Most common and neutral term for a teenager or adolescent, regardless of gender.
• юноша - Refers specifically to a young male, often in a formal or literary context.

Usage Examples:

• Этот подросток очень увлечён музыкой.

  This adolescent is very passionate about music.

• Подростки часто сталкиваются с трудностями в школе.

  Adolescents often face difficulties at school.

• Юноша стоял у окна и смотрел на улицу.

  The young man (adolescent) stood by the window and looked at the street.

2. A young female (in certain contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• девушка - Used for young women, often in polite or formal settings; not strictly "adolescent" but can overlap in meaning.

Usage Examples:

• Эта девушка очень умная и трудолюбивая.

  This young girl (adolescent) is very smart and hardworking.

• Девушка, вы не могли бы помочь мне?

  Young lady, could you help me?

Russian Forms/Inflections:

подросток (Noun, Masculine): Follows standard masculine noun declension.

юноша (Noun, Masculine): Similar to "подросток," follows regular masculine declension.

девушка (Noun, Feminine): Follows standard feminine noun declension with endings typical for "-а" nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for подросток:

• тинейджер (borrowed from English, informal)
• молодёжь (broader term for youth, often plural)

Note: "тинейджер" is more colloquial and less formal than "подросток."

Antonyms for подросток:

• взрослый (adult)
• ребёнок (child)

Related Phrases:

• подростковый возраст - adolescent age (refers to the teenage years)
• переходный возраст - transitional age (often used for adolescence with emphasis on changes)
• юношеский энтузиазм - youthful enthusiasm (associated with "юноша")

Usage Notes:

• "подросток" is the most neutral and widely used term for "adolescent" and can apply to both genders. It is suitable for most everyday contexts.
• "юноша" is more formal and typically refers to a young male. It may sound outdated or literary in casual speech.
• "девушка" generally means "young woman" and is not a direct translation of "adolescent," but it can overlap in certain polite or formal contexts when addressing or describing young females.
• Be mindful of gender when choosing between "юноша" and "девушка" as they are gender-specific, unlike "подросток."

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "девушка" to refer to any adolescent regardless of gender. Explanation: "девушка" specifically means a young female and should not be used for males. Correct usage: Use "подросток" for neutral or mixed gender contexts. Incorrect: "Этот девушка очень умный." Correct: "Этот подросток очень умный."
• Error: Overusing "юноша" in casual speech. Explanation: "юноша" sounds formal or literary and is rarely used in everyday conversation. Correct usage: Use "подросток" in informal settings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, adolescence is often associated with the concept of "переходный возраст" (transitional age), which emphasizes the emotional and physical changes teenagers undergo. Terms like "подросток" are commonly used in discussions about education and upbringing, reflecting a societal focus on guiding youth through this stage.

Related Concepts:

• молодёжь (youth)
• взросление (growing up)
• переходный возраст (transitional age)