Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Barber'

English Word: Barber

Key Russian Translations:

• Парикмахер [ˌparʲɪkˈmaxʲɪr] - [Neutral, Commonly Used]
• Цирюльник [tsʲɪˈrulʲnʲɪk] - [Archaic, Historical]

Frequency: Medium (Парикмахер is commonly used; Цирюльник is rare and outdated)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for Парикмахер); C1 (Advanced for Цирюльник due to its archaic nature)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Парикмахер: [ˌparʲɪkˈmaxʲɪr]

Note on Парикмахер: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'р' sound is rolled, and 'х' is a guttural sound similar to 'h' in "loch".

Цирюльник: [tsʲɪˈrulʲnʲɪk]

Note on Цирюльник: Stress on the second syllable. The initial 'ц' is a sharp 'ts' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A person who cuts hair professionally (modern usage)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Парикмахер - Used for both male and female hairdressers/barbers in modern Russian; applicable in everyday contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Я записался к парикмахеру на завтра.

  I made an appointment with the barber for tomorrow.

• Мой парикмахер всегда делает отличные стрижки.

  My barber always gives great haircuts.

• Она работает парикмахером уже десять лет.

  She has been working as a barber/hairdresser for ten years.

2. A historical term for a barber (old-fashioned, often with medical connotations)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Цирюльник - Refers to barbers in historical contexts, often associated with minor medical procedures like bloodletting.

Usage Examples:

• В старые времена цирюльник мог не только стричь, но и лечить.

  In old times, a barber could not only cut hair but also heal.

• Цирюльник был важной фигурой в деревне.

  The barber was an important figure in the village.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Парикмахер (Noun, Masculine, Animate):

Declension follows the second declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

Цирюльник (Noun, Masculine, Animate): Follows a similar second declension pattern, though rarely used in modern speech. Singular Nominative: Цирюльник, Plural: Цирюльники.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for Парикмахер:

• Стилист (Stylist, often for more upscale or creative hairdressing)
• Брадобрей (Archaic, similar to Цирюльник, meaning "beard-shaver")

Antonyms: None directly applicable as "barber" lacks a clear opposite in Russian.

Related Phrases:

• Пойти к парикмахеру - "To go to the barber/hairdresser" (common expression for getting a haircut).
• Парикмахерская стрижка - "Barber's haircut" (refers to a professional haircut).
• Цирюльник старой школы - "Old-school barber" (historical or literary usage).

Usage Notes:

• Choosing between translations: Use "Парикмахер" for all modern contexts as it is the standard term for a barber or hairdresser (gender-neutral). "Цирюльник" is outdated and primarily appears in historical or literary texts.
• Gender neutrality: Unlike English, where "barber" often implies a male hairdresser, "Парикмахер" can refer to both men and women.
• Formality: "Парикмахер" is neutral and suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Цирюльник" in modern conversation. This sounds outdated and inappropriate in everyday speech. Correct usage: Use "Парикмахер" instead. Example of error: "Я иду к цирюльнику" (incorrect); Correct: "Я иду к парикмахеру".
• Error: Incorrect stress in "Парикмахер". English speakers may stress the first syllable, but the stress is on the second syllable [max]. Practice with native audio to avoid mispronunciation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the role of a "Парикмахер" is similar to that of a barber or hairdresser in English-speaking countries, but historically, barbers (often called "Цирюльник") also performed minor medical tasks like tooth extraction or bloodletting in pre-modern Russia, much like in medieval Europe. This historical connotation lingers in literature or folklore.

Related Concepts:

• Парикмахерская (Barbershop/Hairdressing Salon)
• Стрижка (Haircut)
• Бритьё (Shaving)