Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cellist'

English Word: cellist

Key Russian Translations:

• виолончелист (/vʲɪɐlɐnʲˈt͡ɕelʲɪst/) - [Formal, Singular, Used in musical contexts]

Frequency: Low (This term is specialized and appears infrequently in everyday conversation, mainly in music-related discussions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level, as it involves vocabulary from arts and requires understanding of noun inflections in Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

виолончелист: /vʲɪɐlɐnʲˈt͡ɕelʲɪst/

Note on виолончелист: The stress is on the third syllable ('t͡ɕelʲ'), and the 'ч' sound is a voiceless palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A musician who plays the cello.

Translation(s) & Context:

• виолончелист - Used in formal or professional contexts, such as describing orchestra members or classical music performers.

Usage Examples:

• В оркестре выступает талантливый виолончелист. (V orkestre vystupaet talantlivyy violonchelist.)

  In the orchestra, a talented cellist is performing.

• Мой друг — профессиональный виолончелист, он гастролирует по Европе. (Moy drug — professional'nyy violonchelist, on gastroliruet po Evrope.)

  My friend is a professional cellist; he tours Europe.

• Виолончелист солировал на концерте, и публика аплодировала стоя. (Violonchelist soliroval na koncerte, i publika aplodirovala stoya.)

  The cellist performed as a soloist at the concert, and the audience gave a standing ovation.

• В консерватории учатся многие виолончелисты, но не все достигают успеха. (V konservatorii uchatsya mnogie violonchelisty, no ne vse dostigayut uspekha.)

  Many cellists study at the conservatory, but not all achieve success.

• Известный виолончелист дал мастер-класс для молодых музыкантов. (Izvestnyy violonchelist dal master-klass dlya molodykh muzykantov.)

  The famous cellist gave a masterclass for young musicians.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Виолончелист is a masculine noun (from the first declension). It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for animate nouns. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • целлист (tsellist) - A more anglicized variant, used informally in modern contexts.
  • игрок на виолончели (igrok na violoncheli) - Literally "cello player," used when a more descriptive term is needed.
• Antonyms:
  • Невежда (nevezhda) - Meaning "ignoramus," implying someone unskilled in music, though not a direct antonym.

Related Phrases:

• Виолончелист оркестра (Violonchelist orkestra) - Orchestra cellist; Refers to a member of a symphony orchestra.
• Солист-виолончелист (Solist-violonchelist) - Solo cellist; Used for performers in solo roles.
• Известный виолончелист (Izvestnyy violonchelist) - Famous cellist; Common in biographical or promotional contexts.

Usage Notes:

• The Russian equivalent "виолончелист" directly corresponds to "cellist" and is used in formal, artistic, or educational settings. It is gender-neutral in plural form but assumes masculine in singular, so for females, you might use "виолончелистка" (violonchelistka).
• Be mindful of context: In everyday Russian, people might opt for more general terms like "музыкант" (muzykant) if the specific instrument isn't emphasized.
• When choosing between translations, "виолончелист" is preferred in professional music discussions, while "игрок на виолончели" is better for casual descriptions.
• Grammatically, always decline the noun according to its case in a sentence to maintain proper Russian syntax.

Common Errors:

• English learners often forget to decline the noun, e.g., saying "Я видел виолончелист" instead of "Я видел виолончелиста" (correct: I saw the cellist). Error: Incorrect genitive case; Explanation: In Russian, the accusative case requires "виолончелиста" for direct objects.
• Confusing with similar words, such as using "виолончель" (the instrument itself) instead of "виолончелист," e.g., "Он виолончель" meaning "He is a cello" instead of "Он виолончелист." Correct: Use the full term for the person; Explanation: This mixes up the noun for the instrument with the profession.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, cellists like Mstislav Rostropovich are iconic figures in classical music. The term "виолончелист" often evokes the rich tradition of Russian composers such as Tchaikovsky, whose works feature prominent cello parts. This reflects the deep appreciation for classical music in Russia, where such musicians are celebrated in national heritage.

Related Concepts:

• Виолончель (violonchel) - The cello instrument itself.
• Оркестр (orkestr) - Orchestra, where cellists often perform.
• Классическая музыка (klassicheskaya muzika) - Classical music, a common context for this term.