Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Attorney'

English Word: Attorney

Key Russian Translations:

• адвокат [ɐdvɐˈkat] - [Formal, Legal Context]
• юрист [ˈjurʲɪst] - [Formal/Neutral, Broader Legal Profession]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in legal and professional contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

адвокат: [ɐdvɐˈkat]

Note on адвокат: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'дв' cluster can be tricky for non-native speakers; ensure clear pronunciation of both consonants.

юрист: [ˈjurʲɪst]

Note on юрист: Stress on the first syllable. The soft 'р' sound (indicated by ʲ) requires practice for accurate pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Attorney as a Lawyer Representing Clients in Court

Translation(s) & Context:

• адвокат - Used specifically for a lawyer who represents clients in court or provides legal defense.

Usage Examples:

• Мой адвокат подготовил все документы для суда.

  My attorney prepared all the documents for the court.

• Адвокат защищал его права на протяжении всего дела.

  The attorney defended his rights throughout the case.

• Она наняла опытного адвоката для сложного дела.

  She hired an experienced attorney for a complex case.

2. Attorney as a General Legal Professional

Translation(s) & Context:

• юрист - Refers to a legal professional in a broader sense, not necessarily representing clients in court (e.g., corporate lawyer, legal advisor).

Usage Examples:

• Юрист компании проверил контракт перед подписанием.

  The company’s attorney reviewed the contract before signing.

• Он работает юристом в международной фирме.

  He works as an attorney in an international firm.

• Юрист дал мне совет по налоговым вопросам.

  The attorney gave me advice on tax issues.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

адвокат (Masculine Noun): Follows the regular second declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

юрист (Masculine Noun): Follows a similar second declension pattern for masculine nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for адвокат:

• защитник (more specific to "defender" in court)

Synonyms for юрист:

• правовед (more academic or theoretical)
• консультант (when referring to a legal consultant)

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as the concept does not have a clear opposite in legal terminology.

Related Phrases:

• нанимать адвоката - to hire an attorney (used in the context of legal representation).
• консультация юриста - consultation with an attorney (common for legal advice).
• адвокат по уголовным делам - criminal defense attorney (specific field of law).

Usage Notes:

• Choosing between адвокат and юрист: Use "адвокат" when referring to a lawyer who represents clients in court or provides defense. Use "юрист" for a broader range of legal professionals, including corporate lawyers or legal advisors who may not appear in court.
• Register: Both terms are formal and appropriate for professional or legal discussions. Avoid using them in casual contexts unrelated to law.
• Gender: Both nouns are masculine by default, but can refer to female attorneys as well. For explicit reference to a female lawyer, you may encounter "адвокатша" (informal/slightly derogatory) or simply use the masculine form.

Common Errors:

• Mixing адвокат and юрист: English speakers often use these interchangeably, but "адвокат" is specific to courtroom representation, while "юрист" is broader. Incorrect: "Юрист защищал меня в суде" (should be "адвокат"). Correct: "Адвокат защищал меня в суде."
• Declension Errors: Failing to decline nouns properly in sentences. Incorrect: "Я говорил с адвокат" (should be "с адвокатом"). Correct: "Я говорил с адвокатом."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the role of an "адвокат" is often associated with high-profile criminal cases or legal defense, partly due to depictions in Soviet and post-Soviet media. The term "юрист" may evoke a more corporate or bureaucratic image. Legal professions carry significant respect but can also be viewed with skepticism due to historical associations with corruption in some contexts.

Related Concepts:

• суд (court)
• закон (law)
• дело (case)
• контракт (contract)