Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Captain'

English Word: captain

Key Russian Translations:

• капитан [kɐˈpʲitan] - [Formal, Informal, Used for ship or team captain]
• командир [kəmɐnˈdʲir] - [Formal, Often used for military or aircraft commander]

Frequency: High (especially "капитан" in various contexts)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "капитан"); B1 (Intermediate for "командир" due to nuanced usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

капитан: [kɐˈpʲitan]

Note on капитан: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "и" is pronounced as a short "i" sound.

командир: [kəmɐnˈdʲir]

Note on командир: Stress on the last syllable. The "р" is rolled slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Leader of a ship or aircraft

Translation(s) & Context:

• капитан - Used for the captain of a ship or aircraft in both formal and informal contexts.
• командир - Often used for an aircraft commander or military leader in formal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Капитан корабля дал команду поднять паруса.

  The ship’s captain gave the order to raise the sails.

• Командир самолёта сообщил о задержке рейса.

  The aircraft commander announced a flight delay.

• Капитан всегда отвечает за безопасность экипажа.

  The captain is always responsible for the crew’s safety.

2. Leader of a sports team

Translation(s) & Context:

• капитан - Exclusively used for a team captain in sports contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Капитан команды забил решающий гол.

  The team captain scored the winning goal.

• Капитан вдохновил игроков на победу.

  The captain inspired the players to victory.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

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

командир (noun, masculine): Similar declension pattern to "капитан." Refer to standard masculine noun rules.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "капитан":

• командир (in military or aircraft contexts)
• руководитель (broader term for leader, less specific)

Note: "командир" often implies a stricter or more formal authority than "капитан."

Antonyms for "капитан":

• матрос (sailor, subordinate on a ship)
• подчинённый (subordinate, general term)

Related Phrases:

• капитан корабля - Captain of the ship (specific to maritime context).
• капитан команды - Team captain (used in sports).
• командир экипажа - Crew commander (used for aircraft or military units).

Usage Notes:

• "капитан" is the most versatile and commonly used term for "captain," applicable to ships, sports teams, and sometimes metaphorically for leaders.
• "командир" is more specific to military or technical contexts (e.g., aircraft commander) and carries a formal tone.
• Be mindful of the context when choosing between these translations, as "командир" may sound overly formal or incorrect in casual or sports-related discussions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "командир" for a sports team captain. Incorrect: Командир футбольной команды. Correct: Капитан футбольной команды. Explanation: "командир" is inappropriate for sports contexts as it implies military or strict authority.
• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation of "капитан." Incorrect stress: [ˈkapʲitan]. Correct stress: [kɐˈpʲitan]. Explanation: Stress on the second syllable is critical for correct pronunciation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the term "капитан" often evokes strong imagery of leadership and responsibility, especially in maritime or historical contexts (e.g., naval heroes). The word is also iconic in literature and film, such as in references to "Captain Nemo" from Jules Verne’s works, translated as "Капитан Немо."

Related Concepts:

• корабль (ship)
• команда (team/crew)
• руководство (leadership)