Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'citizen'

English Word: citizen

Key Russian Translations:

• гражданин [ɡrɐʐˈdʲanʲɪn] - [Formal, Masculine]
• гражданка [ɡrɐʐˈdʲankə] - [Formal, Feminine]
• житель [ˈʐɨtʲɪlʲ] - [Informal, General, Masculine]

Frequency: High (especially "гражданин" in formal contexts)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "гражданин" and "гражданка"; B1 for "житель" due to nuanced usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гражданин: [ɡrɐʐˈdʲanʲɪn]

Note on гражданин: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ж" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, unique to Russian.

гражданка: [ɡrɐʐˈdʲankə]

Note on гражданка: Similar to "гражданин," with stress on the second syllable. The ending changes to reflect feminine gender.

житель: [ˈʐɨtʲɪlʲ]

Note on житель: Stress on the first syllable. The "ж" sound is the same as in "гражданин."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A person with legal membership in a country or state

Translation(s) & Context:

• гражданин/гражданка - Used in formal or legal contexts to denote citizenship or nationality.

Usage Examples:

• Я гражданин России.

  I am a citizen of Russia.

• Гражданка Иванова, пройдите в кабинет.

  Citizen Ivanova, please come into the office.

• Все граждане обязаны соблюдать закон.

  All citizens must obey the law.

2. A resident or inhabitant of a place

Translation(s) & Context:

• житель - Used in informal or general contexts to refer to someone living in a specific area.

Usage Examples:

• Жители города протестуют против стройки.

  The citizens (residents) of the city are protesting against the construction.

• Этот житель деревни знает все тропы.

  This citizen (resident) of the village knows all the paths.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

гражданин (Masculine Noun): Follows the second declension pattern for masculine nouns.

гражданка (Feminine Noun): Follows the first declension pattern for feminine nouns (similar structure, adjusted for gender).

житель (Masculine Noun): Follows the second declension pattern, similar to "гражданин."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for гражданин/гражданка:

• подданный (more historical or monarchy-related context)

Synonyms for житель:

• обитатель (more literary)
• местный (colloquial, "local")

Antonyms:

• иностранец (foreigner)
• приезжий (visitor, outsider)

Related Phrases:

• гражданин мира - "Citizen of the world" (used metaphorically for someone with a global perspective).
• житель столицы - "Resident of the capital" (common phrase for city dwellers).
• права гражданина - "Citizen's rights" (legal context).

Usage Notes:

• "гражданин" and "гражданка" are formal and often used in legal, official, or respectful contexts. They are gender-specific, so choose based on the person's gender.
• "житель" is more neutral and informal, often implying residency rather than legal citizenship. It is commonly used in everyday speech.
• In direct address (e.g., calling someone), "гражданин" or "гражданка" can sound bureaucratic or even slightly outdated in casual settings—use with caution.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "гражданин" in informal contexts where "житель" is more appropriate. For example, saying "гражданин этого города" sounds overly formal and unnatural. Correct: Use "житель этого города" for "a resident of this city."
• Error: Ignoring gender agreement by using "гражданин" for a female. Correct: Use "гражданка" when addressing or referring to a woman.

Cultural Notes:

In Soviet times, "гражданин" was commonly used as a formal address, often in official or legal settings. Today, it may carry a slight bureaucratic or nostalgic tone. "житель," on the other hand, is more neutral and widely used in modern Russian to describe local inhabitants.

Related Concepts:

• гражданство (citizenship)
• национальность (nationality)
• паспорт (passport)