Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Councillor'

English Word: Councillor

Key Russian Translations:

• Советник [sɐˈvʲetnʲɪk] - [Formal, General Use]
• Член совета [ˈtɕlʲen ˈsovʲɪtə] - [Formal, Often Used in Political or Administrative Contexts]

Frequency: Medium (used in specific formal or political contexts)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "Советник"; B1 (Lower Intermediate) for "Член совета"

Pronunciation (Russian):

Советник: [sɐˈvʲetnʲɪk]

Note on Советник: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "в" is pronounced softly as [vʲ] due to the following "е".

Член совета: [ˈtɕlʲen ˈsovʲɪtə]

Note on Член совета: Stress falls on the first syllable of each word. "Ч" is a soft affricate sound [tɕ].

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A member of a council (political or administrative role)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Советник - Often used for an advisor or councillor in a formal or governmental context.
• Член совета - Literally "member of the council," used to emphasize membership in a specific body.

Usage Examples:

• Советник мэра предложил новый план развития города.

  The mayor's councillor proposed a new city development plan.

• Он был избран членом совета нашего района.

  He was elected as a councillor of our district.

• Советник по экономическим вопросам выступил с докладом.

  The councillor for economic affairs gave a report.

• Члены совета обсудили бюджет на следующий год.

  The councillors discussed the budget for the next year.

• Советник президента присутствовал на встрече.

  The president's councillor attended the meeting.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Советник (Noun, Masculine, Animate):

Член совета (Noun Phrase, Masculine, Animate for "Член"): "Член" declines as a masculine noun, while "совета" (genitive of "совет") changes based on context. Refer to standard declension tables for "Член" and "Совет".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for Советник:

• Консультант (more general, "consultant")
• Помощник (broader, "assistant")

Antonyms for Советник:

• Подчинённый (subordinate)

Related Phrases:

• Советник по вопросам безопасности - Councillor for security issues.
• Член городского совета - Member of the city council.
• Стать советником - To become a councillor/advisor.

Usage Notes:

• "Советник" often implies a role of advising or consulting, frequently used in governmental or high-level contexts. It may not always mean a member of a council but rather an advisor to a leader.
• "Член совета" is more specific to membership in a council or committee, emphasizing a collective decision-making role.
• Choose "Советник" when referring to an individual advisor; use "Член совета" when highlighting membership in a specific body.

Common Errors:

Error 1: Confusing "Советник" with "Совет"

Learners often mistakenly use "Совет" (council) instead of "Советник" (councillor/advisor). For example, saying "Он Совет" (He is a council) is incorrect. Correct form: "Он Советник" (He is a councillor).

Error 2: Misusing Cases

English speakers may forget to decline nouns like "Советник" in different cases, e.g., incorrectly saying "Я говорил с Советник" instead of "Я говорил с Советником" (instrumental case).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian-speaking countries, the role of a "Советник" often carries significant weight, especially in political or governmental contexts, reflecting a position of trust and expertise. The term may evoke historical associations with advisors to tsars or Soviet officials.

Related Concepts:

• Совет (Council)
• Политика (Politics)
• Администрация (Administration)