Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'biographer'

English Word: biographer

Key Russian Translations:

• биограф [bʲi.ɐ.ˈɡraf] - [Formal, used in literary or academic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary, historical, or biographical discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and formal vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

биограф: [bʲi.ɐ.ˈɡraf]

Note on биограф: The stress falls on the third syllable (ˈɡraf). The initial 'б' is pronounced as a voiced bilabial stop, and the 'и' is a palatalized vowel. Variations may occur in fast speech, softening the consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who writes an account of someone's life.

Translation(s) & Context:

• биограф - Used in formal contexts, such as literary criticism, history, or academic writing, to refer to someone who researches and writes biographies.

Usage Examples:

• Он — известный биограф русских писателей.

  He is a famous biographer of Russian writers. (This example shows the word in a nominative case, describing someone's profession in a biographical context.)

• Биограф тщательно изучил архивы перед написанием книги.

  The biographer carefully studied the archives before writing the book. (Illustrates use in a sentence with a verb, emphasizing research in historical settings.)

• Эта биограф выиграла премию за работу о Льве Толстом.

  This biographer won an award for her work on Leo Tolstoy. (Demonstrates the word in a different grammatical structure, highlighting achievements in literature.)

• Молодой биограф публикует свою первую книгу.

  The young biographer is publishing his first book. (Shows the word with adjectives, in contexts of emerging careers.)

• Биограф встретился с родственниками для сбора фактов.

  The biographer met with relatives to gather facts. (Exemplifies use in narrative descriptions, focusing on practical aspects of the profession.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"биограф" is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: The word is regular in its declension, with no irregularities. In plural forms, it can refer to multiple biographers in various contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • биографист (Similar, but slightly more formal, often used interchangeably)
  • летописец (More poetic, implying a chronicler of history with subtle historical connotations)
• Antonyms:
  • критик (Critic; implies opposition, as it involves analysis rather than creation)

Related Phrases:

• писать биографию - To write a biography (Used in contexts of creating biographical works, e.g., in literary discussions)
• биография жизни - Biography of a life (A common phrase for detailed life stories, often in formal writing)
• известный биограф - Famous biographer (Refers to well-known figures in the field, with cultural emphasis)

Usage Notes:

"Биограф" directly corresponds to the English "biographer" in meaning, but it is typically used in more formal or professional contexts in Russian, such as literature, history, or academia. Unlike English, Russian requires attention to case endings; for example, use the genitive form "биографа" when indicating possession (e.g., "книга биографа" for "the biographer's book"). When choosing between synonyms like "биографист," opt for "биограф" in standard contexts unless a more specialized tone is needed. Be mindful of gender agreement, as it is masculine and will affect adjectives and verbs in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Confusing case endings: Learners often use the nominative "биограф" in places where another case is required, e.g., saying "книгой биограф" instead of "книгой биографа" (correct: "with the biographer's book"). Error: "Я читал книгой биограф" (Wrong). Correct: "Я читал книгу биографа" – This mixes cases incorrectly, leading to grammatical errors.

• Misusing synonyms: Beginners might swap "биограф" with "историк" (historian), assuming they are identical. Error: "Он — историк Шекспира" (implies a general historian). Correct: "Он — биограф Шекспира" to specify biography focus. Explanation: "Историк" is broader and doesn't convey the biographical aspect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, biographers like those who wrote about figures such as Pushkin or Tolstoy hold significant prestige, often bridging history and literature. The term "биограф" carries a sense of intellectual depth, reflecting Russia's rich tradition of biographical writing in the 19th and 20th centuries, which was influenced by figures like Herzen and influenced modern historiography.

Related Concepts:

• биография (biography)
• литератор (literary figure)
• историк (historian)