Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'burgher'

English Word: burgher

Key Russian Translations:

• буржуа [burʐuˈa] - [Formal, Historical/Sociological]
• гражданин [ɡrɐʐˈdanʲɪn] - [Formal, Legal/Administrative]

Frequency: Medium (Common in historical, literary, or social discussions, but not in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, due to historical connotations and nuanced usage; for "буржуа", it may be C1 for advanced learners familiar with Marxist theory)

Pronunciation (Russian):

буржуа: [burʐuˈa]

Note on буржуа: The stress falls on the last syllable ("a"), and the "ʐ" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. It's often pronounced with a French influence due to its origin.

гражданин: [ɡrɐʐˈdanʲɪn]

Note on гражданин: The stress is on the third syllable ("dan"), with palatalization on the "n" sound, common in Russian nouns.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A member of the middle class or a town citizen (historical context).

Translation(s) & Context:

• буржуа - Used in contexts discussing social class, economics, or history, often with a negative connotation in Marxist literature.
• гражданин - Applied in legal or civic contexts, emphasizing citizenship rather than class.

Usage Examples:

• В XIX веке буржуа доминировали в городской торговле и политике.

  In the 19th century, the burghers dominated urban trade and politics.

• Этот роман описывает жизнь типичного гражданина в средневековом городе.

  This novel describes the life of a typical burgher in a medieval town.

• Буржуа часто критикуются за их консерватизм и материализм.

  Burghers are often criticized for their conservatism and materialism.

• Как гражданин, он имел право голосовать на местных выборах.

  As a burgher, he had the right to vote in local elections.

• В революционных текстах буржуа изображаются как антагонисты пролетариату.

  In revolutionary texts, burghers are depicted as antagonists to the proletariat.

A freeman of a borough or town (archaic usage).

Translation(s) & Context:

• гражданин - In historical or legal contexts, referring to a town resident with specific rights.

Usage Examples:

• Гражданин средневекового города пользовался привилегиями, такими как торговые льготы.

  A burgher of a medieval town enjoyed privileges such as trade exemptions.

• В феодальной системе гражданин мог владеть землёй в пределах городских стен.

  In the feudal system, a burgher could own land within the city walls.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"буржуа" is a borrowed word from French, typically treated as an indeclinable noun in modern Russian, meaning it does not change form based on case or number. However, it can occasionally be pluralized as "буржуа" (unchanged) for emphasis.

"гражданин" is a standard masculine noun with full declension. Below is a table of its inflections:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • буржуа: мещанин (meschanin) - Similar, but with a more pejorative connotation of pettiness.
  • гражданин: горожанин (gorozhanin) - Refers specifically to a city dweller, less formal.
• Antonyms:
  • буржуа: пролетарий (proletarii) - Highlights class opposition.
  • гражданин: иноземец (inozemets) - Refers to a foreigner or non-citizen.

Related Phrases:

• Буржуазная революция - A bourgeois revolution; refers to uprisings led by the middle class for social change.
• Гражданин города - Citizen of the city; used in historical contexts to denote urban rights and privileges.
• Мелкий буржуа - Petty burgher; implies a lower stratum of the middle class with everyday connotations.

Usage Notes:

"Burgher" translates most directly to "буржуа" in socio-historical contexts, but avoid using it interchangeably with "гражданин," which emphasizes legal citizenship rather than class. In Russian, "буржуа" carries a loaded, often critical tone from Marxist influences, so it's best for formal or academic writing. When choosing between translations, opt for "гражданин" in modern civic discussions. Be mindful of gender agreements in sentences, as Russian nouns like "гражданин" change based on case and number.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "буржуа" with "буржуазный" (adjective form): Learners might say "Он буржуа человек" instead of "Он буржуа" or "Он представитель буржуазии." Correct usage: "Он — буржуа." Explanation: "Буржуа" is a noun and doesn't need additional descriptors unless specifying.
• Misdeclining "гражданин": English speakers often forget case changes, e.g., saying "Я видел гражданин" instead of "Я видел гражданина" (Accusative). Correct: Always adjust for case in sentences.
• Overgeneralizing: Using "буржуа" for any city dweller, which is incorrect; it's specific to class. Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings in historical texts—stick to context.

Cultural Notes:

The term "буржуа" is deeply rooted in Russian cultural and historical discourse, influenced by Karl Marx and the Bolshevik Revolution. It often evokes images of the 19th-century European middle class, criticized in Russian literature (e.g., by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky) for materialism and social detachment. In contrast, "гражданин" reflects Russia's emphasis on collective civic duty, as seen in Soviet-era propaganda promoting unity among citizens.

Related Concepts:

• пролетарий
• мещанин
• горожанин
• буржуазия