Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'blacksmith'

English Word: blacksmith

Key Russian Translations:

• кузнец [ˈkuzʲnʲɪts] - [Neutral, Most Common]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кузнец: [ˈkuzʲnʲɪts]

Note on кузнец: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "ц" sound is a sharp, unvoiced "ts".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A person who works with iron and makes horseshoes, tools, etc.

Translation(s) & Context:

• кузнец - Used to refer to a traditional craftsman who forges iron objects, often associated with horseshoe making or tool crafting.

Usage Examples:

• Кузнец работал в своей мастерской весь день.

  The blacksmith worked in his workshop all day.

• В деревне кузнец был очень уважаемым человеком.

  In the village, the blacksmith was a highly respected person.

• Кузнец выковал новый подков для лошади.

  The blacksmith forged a new horseshoe for the horse.

• Он решил стать кузнецом, как его отец.

  He decided to become a blacksmith like his father.

• Кузнецы в старину часто считались мастерами магии.

  Blacksmiths in ancient times were often considered masters of magic.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

кузнец is a masculine noun. It follows the regular declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• коваль (regional, less common, often used in Ukrainian-influenced contexts)

Note: "коваль" might be encountered in literature or specific dialects but is less frequent in standard Russian compared to "кузнец".

Antonyms:

• None directly applicable

Related Phrases:

• кузнец своего счастья - "blacksmith of one's own happiness" (idiom meaning someone who shapes their own destiny)
• работать как кузнец - "to work like a blacksmith" (to work very hard physically)

Usage Notes:

• The term "кузнец" is the standard and most widely recognized word for "blacksmith" in Russian. It directly corresponds to the English term in most contexts.
• It can be used metaphorically, as in the idiom "кузнец своего счастья," to imply agency and control over one's life.
• The word is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "кузнец" with "кузница" (forge, the place where a blacksmith works).
  Incorrect: Он работает в кузнеце. (He works in a blacksmith.)
  Correct: Он работает в кузнице. (He works in a forge.)
• Error: Misusing grammatical cases, especially in prepositional phrases.
  Incorrect: Я говорил с кузнец. (I spoke with blacksmith - wrong case.)
  Correct: Я говорил с кузнецом. (I spoke with the blacksmith - instrumental case.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian folklore and history, blacksmiths ("кузнецы") often held a special status, sometimes associated with magical or supernatural abilities due to their mastery over fire and metal. This cultural connotation can still be found in literature and proverbs, such as "кузнец своего счастья," reflecting the idea of crafting one's fate.

Related Concepts:

• кузница (forge)
• молот (hammer)
• наковальня (anvil)
• подкова (horseshoe)