Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bandit'

English Word: bandit

Key Russian Translations:

• бандит [bɐnˈdʲit] - [Informal, Common usage for a criminal or thug]
• разбойник [rɐzˈboɪnʲɪk] - [Formal, Often used in historical or literary contexts]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бандит: [bɐnˈdʲit]

Note on бандит: The stress falls on the second syllable. The 'д' is pronounced softly due to the following 'и'.

разбойник: [rɐzˈboɪnʲɪk]

Note on разбойник: Stress is on the second syllable. The 'й' sound is distinct and should not be omitted.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A criminal or thug (modern context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бандит - Commonly used to refer to a criminal, gangster, or thug in everyday speech.

Usage Examples:

• Этот район опасен, здесь орудуют бандиты.

  This area is dangerous; bandits operate here.

• Полиция поймала бандита после ограбления.

  The police caught the bandit after the robbery.

• Он выглядит как настоящий бандит с татуировками.

  He looks like a real bandit with those tattoos.

2. A robber or outlaw (historical/literary context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• разбойник - Often used in historical or fairy-tale contexts to describe an outlaw or highwayman.

Usage Examples:

• В старых сказках разбойники часто грабили путников.

  In old fairy tales, bandits often robbed travelers.

• Разбойник спрятался в лесу после нападения.

  The bandit hid in the forest after the attack.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

бандит (Noun, Masculine, Animate):

разбойник (Noun, Masculine, Animate):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for бандит:

• преступник (criminal - broader term)
• гангстер (gangster - borrowed term, less common)

Synonyms for разбойник:

• грабитель (robber - more neutral)
• вор (thief - less violent connotation)

Antonyms:

• законопослушный гражданин (law-abiding citizen)

Related Phrases:

• бандитская шайка - "bandit gang" (refers to a group of criminals)
• разбойничья банда - "band of outlaws" (historical or literary tone for a group of robbers)
• жить как разбойник - "to live like a bandit" (to live outside the law)

Usage Notes:

• Choosing between translations: Use "бандит" for modern contexts involving criminals or thugs, often with a negative or informal tone. Use "разбойник" for historical, literary, or fairy-tale contexts to describe outlaws or highwaymen.
• Register: "бандит" can be used colloquially to describe someone behaving aggressively or lawlessly, even if not literally a criminal. "разбойник" is more formal and less likely to be used in casual speech.
• Grammar: Both nouns are masculine and animate, so they follow specific accusative case rules (matching genitive forms).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "бандит" in a historical context or fairy tale.
  Incorrect: В сказке жил бандит.
  Correct: В сказке жил разбойник.
  Explanation: "бандит" feels too modern for historical or literary settings, where "разбойник" is the appropriate choice.
• Error: Mispronouncing "бандит" with stress on the first syllable.
  Incorrect: ['bɐndʲɪt]
  Correct: [bɐnˈdʲit]
  Explanation: Stressing the wrong syllable can make the word sound unnatural to native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the term "разбойник" often evokes images of historical figures like Stenka Razin, a famous Cossack rebel and outlaw. It carries a romanticized notion in folklore. On the other hand, "бандит" is associated with organized crime, especially from the turbulent 1990s in Russia, and often has a strongly negative connotation.

Related Concepts:

• преступление (crime)
• ограбление (robbery)
• мафия (mafia)