Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'banker'

English Word: banker

Key Russian Translations:

• банкир [ˈbankʲɪr] - [Formal, Singular]
• банковский работник [bɐnˈkofskʲɪj rɐˈbotnʲɪk] - [Neutral, Broader term for bank employee]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in financial and business contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "банкир"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "банковский работник" due to compound structure

Pronunciation (Russian):

банкир: [ˈbankʲɪr]

Note on банкир: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "р" sound is rolled slightly, typical of Russian pronunciation.

банковский работник: [bɐnˈkofskʲɪj rɐˈbotnʲɪk]

Note on банковский работник: Stress on the second syllable of "банковский" and first syllable of "работник". Pay attention to soft consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A person who owns or manages a bank

Translation(s) & Context:

• банкир - Used specifically for high-ranking bank officials or owners, often in formal or business contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он известный банкир в Москве.

  He is a well-known banker in Moscow.

• Банкир подписал важный контракт.

  The banker signed an important contract.

• Многие банкиры пострадали во время кризиса.

  Many bankers suffered during the crisis.

2. A general bank employee

Translation(s) & Context:

• банковский работник - Refers to any employee working in a bank, not necessarily a high-ranking position.

Usage Examples:

• Она работает банковским работником уже пять лет.

  She has been working as a bank employee for five years.

• Банковский работник помог мне открыть счёт.

  The bank employee helped me open an account.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

банкир (noun, masculine): Follows the standard masculine noun declension in Russian.

банковский работник (compound noun, masculine): Both components decline. "Банковский" (adjective) agrees with "работник" (noun) in case, number, and gender.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for банкир:

• финансист (financier - broader term, often overlapping)

Antonyms for банкир:

• No direct antonym, as it is a profession.

Related Phrases:

• крупный банкир - A prominent/major banker (used for influential figures in finance).
• банковский сектор - Banking sector (common in economic discussions).
• работать в банке - To work in a bank (general phrase for bank employment).

Usage Notes:

• "Банкир" is more specific and formal, often implying a high-ranking position or ownership in a bank. It is not used for regular bank clerks.
• "Банковский работник" is a neutral and broader term, suitable for any bank employee, including tellers and managers.
• In casual conversation, Russians might avoid "банкир" unless referring to someone notable in finance, opting for more general phrases like "работает в банке" (works in a bank).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "банкир" to refer to any bank employee.
  Incorrect: Она банкир в местном отделении. (She is a banker at the local branch.)
  Correct: Она банковский работник в местном отделении. (She is a bank employee at the local branch.)
  Explanation: "Банкир" implies a high-level position, so it sounds unnatural for regular staff.
• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation of "банкир".
  Incorrect: Stress on second syllable [banˈkʲɪr].
  Correct: Stress on first syllable [ˈbankʲɪr].
  Explanation: Incorrect stress can lead to misunderstandings or non-native pronunciation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the term "банкир" often carries a connotation of wealth, power, or influence, especially post-Soviet era when banking became a symbol of new capitalism. It might evoke mixed feelings due to historical economic instability tied to banking crises in the 1990s.

Related Concepts:

• банк (bank)
• финансы (finances)
• инвестиции (investments)