Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cordwainer'

English Word: cordwainer

Key Russian Translations:

• сапожник /səˈpoʒnʲɪk/ - [Formal, used in historical or professional contexts]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation; it's more relevant in historical or specialized discussions about crafts.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves vocabulary related to professions and requires basic understanding of Russian noun inflections.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сапожник: /səˈpoʒnʲɪk/

Note on сапожник: The stress is on the second syllable (/poʒ/). Be mindful of the soft 'ж' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who makes or repairs shoes, often in a traditional or historical context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сапожник - Typically used in formal, literary, or historical descriptions of craftsmen; suitable for contexts discussing traditional trades.

Usage Examples:

• В старом городе жил мастер-сапожник, который шил обувь вручную.

  In the old town lived a master cordwainer who made shoes by hand.

• Сапожник в музее демонстрирует, как раньше изготавливали сапоги.

  The cordwainer at the museum demonstrates how boots were made in the past.

• Мой дед был сапожником и знал все секреты ремесла.

  My grandfather was a cordwainer and knew all the secrets of the craft.

• В современной России сапожник – это редкая профессия, но она сохраняет культурное наследие.

  In modern Russia, a cordwainer is a rare profession, but it preserves cultural heritage.

• Если у вас сломалась обувь, обратитесь к опытному сапожнику в ремесленном квартале.

  If your shoes are broken, consult an experienced cordwainer in the artisan district.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"сапожник" is a masculine noun (third declension). It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for animate masculine 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:
  • обувщик (obuvshchik) - More general term for a shoemaker, often used in modern contexts; less formal than сапожник.
  • башмачник (bashmachnik) - Refers specifically to a maker of boots; implies a regional or historical nuance.
• Antonyms:
  • None directly applicable, as this is a specific profession. However, in a broader sense, words like "покупатель" (pokupatel, buyer) could contrast in trade contexts.

Related Phrases:

• ремесленный сапожник (remeslennyy sapozhnik) - A craft cordwainer; refers to someone practicing the trade as a traditional artisan.
• мастер по обуви (master po obuvi) - Master shoemaker; a phrase used in professional settings, emphasizing expertise.
• сапожный ремень (sapozhnyy remen') - Shoemaker's strap; a related tool or item in the context of the profession.

Usage Notes:

"Сапожник" directly corresponds to "cordwainer" in English, emphasizing traditional shoe-making rather than modern manufacturing. It is typically used in formal or historical contexts, such as literature, museums, or discussions about Russian folk crafts. Avoid using it in casual conversations about everyday shoe repair; opt for more general terms like "обувщик" instead. Grammatically, as a masculine noun, it must agree in gender, number, and case with accompanying words. When choosing between translations, select "сапожник" for historical accuracy and "обувщик" for contemporary relevance.

Common Errors:

• Confusing it with "сапожок" (sapozhok), which means "little boot" or a type of shoe, not the profession. Incorrect: "Я хочу быть сапожок" (I want to be a little boot). Correct: "Я хочу быть сапожником" (I want to be a cordwainer). Explanation: "Сапожок" is a diminutive noun, not related to the occupation.

• Using the wrong case in sentences, e.g., saying "Я видел сапожник" instead of "Я видел сапожника" (I saw the cordwainer). Explanation: In accusative case, it must change to "сапожника" for direct objects.

• Overgeneralizing to mean any shoe-related worker, which might lead to misuse in modern contexts. Correct usage involves specifying traditional aspects to avoid ambiguity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "сапожник" evokes images of traditional craftsmen from pre-industrial times, often romanticized in folklore and literature like in the works of Russian authors such as Pushkin. Historically, shoemakers were part of the guild system in Imperial Russia, symbolizing self-reliance and community trade. This term carries a nostalgic connotation, highlighting the decline of such manual professions in the face of industrialization.

Related Concepts:

• ремесло (remeslo) - Craft or trade.
• обувь (obuv') - Footwear.
• мастер (master) - Master or expert in a field.