Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Confidant'

English Word: Confidant

Key Russian Translations:

• доверенное лицо [dɐˈvʲerʲɪnːəjə ˈlʲit͡sə] - [Formal, Neutral]
• наперсник [nɐˈpʲersnʲɪk] - [Literary, Slightly Archaic]
• друг [druk] - [Informal, When referring to a close friend as a confidant]

Frequency: Medium (varies by translation; "друг" is High, while "наперсник" is Low)

Difficulty: доверенное лицо - B2 (Intermediate); наперсник - C1 (Advanced); друг - A1 (Beginner)

Pronunciation (Russian):

доверенное лицо: [dɐˈvʲerʲɪnːəjə ˈlʲit͡sə]

Note on доверенное лицо: Stress falls on the second syllable of "доверенное" and the first syllable of "лицо." The "ц" sound is a sharp, unvoiced affricate.

наперсник: [nɐˈpʲersnʲɪk]

Note on наперсник: Stress on the second syllable; the soft "р" and "с" require attention for non-native speakers.

друг: [druk]

Note on друг: A simple, common word with stress on the single syllable. The "р" is rolled slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A person with whom one shares secrets or private matters (Primary Meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• доверенное лицо - Used in formal or neutral contexts to denote someone trusted with personal or confidential information.
• наперсник - A literary or historical term, often used in older texts or poetic contexts to refer to a close confidant.
• друг - Used informally when the confidant is also a close friend; implies emotional closeness.

Usage Examples:

• Он был моим доверенным лицом во всех делах.

  He was my confidant in all matters.

• Она доверила свои тайны только одному наперснику.

  She confided her secrets only to one confidant.

• Мой лучший друг — единственный, кому я могу всё рассказать.

  My best friend is the only one I can tell everything to.

• У неё есть доверенное лицо, которое помогает с личными вопросами.

  She has a confidant who helps with personal issues.

• Ты мой друг, и я знаю, что могу на тебя положиться.

  You are my friend, and I know I can rely on you.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

доверенное лицо (noun phrase, neuter): Declines as per standard neuter noun rules for "лицо" (the head noun). "Доверенное" (adjective) agrees in gender, number, and case.

наперсник (noun, masculine): Regular masculine declension, animate noun.

друг (noun, masculine): Regular masculine declension, animate noun. Note irregular plural genitive form "друзей."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• поверенный (closer to "trusted representative," often legal)
• товарищ (informal, broader term for "comrade" or "friend")

Note: "поверенный" is more formal and often used in legal contexts, while "товарищ" can imply camaraderie beyond personal secrets.

Antonyms:

• враг (enemy)
• чужой (stranger)

Related Phrases:

• доверить тайну другу - "to confide a secret to a friend"
• быть доверенным лицом - "to act as a confidant or trustee"
• наперсник сердца - "confidant of the heart" (poetic, rare)

Usage Notes:

• "Доверенное лицо" is the most neutral and widely applicable translation for "confidant," suitable for both personal and professional contexts.
• "Наперсник" is rarely used in modern spoken Russian; it appears mostly in literature or historical contexts. Using it in casual conversation may sound outdated or pretentious.
• "Друг" as "confidant" is appropriate only when the relationship is personal and emotionally close; it does not fit formal or professional settings.
• Russian often emphasizes the act of confiding (e.g., "доверить" - to entrust) rather than just the role of the confidant, so context matters when choosing the right word.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "друг" in formal contexts to mean "confidant." Incorrect: "Он мой друг в этом деле" (intended: "He is my confidant in this matter"). Correct: "Он моё доверенное лицо в этом деле." Explanation: "Друг" implies friendship, not a professional or neutral trusted role.
• Error: Misusing "наперсник" in modern speech. Incorrect: "Ты мой наперсник." Correct: "Ты мой друг." Explanation: "Наперсник" is archaic and inappropriate for casual or modern contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a "confidant" often ties closely to deep personal trust, especially in friendships. Sharing secrets or personal matters is a significant gesture, and the term "друг" (friend) often carries the weight of being a confidant due to the cultural value placed on loyalty and emotional bonds. In formal or historical contexts, such as in literature, "наперсник" might evoke images of royal advisors or intimate companions from classic Russian texts.

Related Concepts:

• доверие (trust)
• тайна (secret)
• дружба (friendship)