Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Colonel'

English Word: Colonel

Key Russian Translations:

• полковник [pɐlˈkovnʲɪk] - [Formal, Military Rank]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in military contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

полковник: [pɐlˈkovnʲɪk]

Note on полковник: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "л" is pronounced softly due to the following "ь".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Military Rank (A senior military officer)

Translation(s) & Context:

• полковник - Used in formal and military contexts to refer to the rank of colonel, equivalent to a senior officer in the army or air force.

Usage Examples:

• Полковник Иванов отдал приказ войскам.

  Colonel Ivanov gave the order to the troops.

• Она стала первой женщиной-полковником в этой части.

  She became the first female colonel in this unit.

• Полковник лично руководил операцией.

  The colonel personally led the operation.

• Его повысили до звания полковника в прошлом году.

  He was promoted to the rank of colonel last year.

• Полковник всегда носит форму с гордостью.

  The colonel always wears his uniform with pride.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

полковник is a masculine noun and follows the second declension pattern in Russian. Below is the declension table for singular and plural forms:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• командир (in some contexts, though broader in meaning as "commander")

Note: "командир" can sometimes overlap with "полковник" but is more general and not strictly tied to the rank.

Antonyms:

• рядовой (private, referring to the lowest military rank)

Related Phrases:

• полковник в отставке - A retired colonel.
• звание полковника - The rank of colonel.
• под командованием полковника - Under the command of a colonel.

Usage Notes:

• The term "полковник" is strictly used for the military rank of colonel and does not have informal or colloquial equivalents in Russian. It is always formal.
• When addressing a colonel directly in Russian, it is polite to use their rank followed by their last name, e.g., "Полковник Иванов".
• Unlike in English, where "colonel" has a non-intuitive pronunciation, the Russian "полковник" is pronounced more phonetically, though the stress and soft consonants may pose challenges for learners.

Common Errors:

• Error: Misplacing stress on the first syllable as "ПОЛковник" instead of "полКОВник".
  Correction: Always stress the second syllable: [pɐlˈkovnʲɪk]. Incorrect stress can make the word sound unnatural.
• Error: Using "полковник" in non-military contexts to mean a leader or boss.
  Correction: Reserve "полковник" for military rank only. For a general leader, use "руководитель" or "начальник". Example of incorrect usage: "Он полковник в нашей компании" (He is a colonel in our company). Correct: "Он руководитель в нашей компании" (He is a leader in our company).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, military ranks like "полковник" carry significant respect, especially due to the historical importance of the military in Soviet and post-Soviet contexts. Addressing or referring to someone by their rank is a sign of respect, and omitting it in formal settings could be seen as impolite.

Related Concepts:

• генерал (general - higher rank)
• майор (major - lower rank)
• воинское звание (military rank)