Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Criminal'

English Word: Criminal

Key Russian Translations:

• преступник [prʲɪˈstupnʲɪk] - [Formal, Singular, Masculine]
• преступница [prʲɪˈstupnʲɪtsə] - [Formal, Singular, Feminine]
• злодей [zlɐˈdʲej] - [Informal, Often Literary or Emotional]

Frequency: High (especially "преступник")

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate; "преступник" and "преступница" are more straightforward, while "злодей" may require cultural context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

преступник: [prʲɪˈstupnʲɪk]

Note on преступник: Stress is on the second syllable. The "р" is rolled, and "у" sounds like the 'oo' in "food."

преступница: [prʲɪˈstupnʲɪtsə]

Note on преступница: Similar to "преступник" but with a feminine ending "-ца."

злодей: [zlɐˈdʲej]

Note on злодей: Stress on the second syllable. The "зл" cluster can be tricky for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A person who commits a crime (legal context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• преступник / преступница - Used in formal, legal, or official contexts to refer to someone who has committed a crime.

Usage Examples:

• Полиция задержала преступника на месте преступления.

  The police arrested the criminal at the scene of the crime.

• Преступница была приговорена к десяти годам тюрьмы.

  The female criminal was sentenced to ten years in prison.

• Этот человек - опасный преступник.

  This person is a dangerous criminal.

2. A villain or evildoer (literary or emotional context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• злодей - Used in storytelling, literature, or emotionally charged contexts to describe a villain or wicked person.

Usage Examples:

• В сказке злодей пытался украсть сокровища.

  In the fairy tale, the villain tried to steal the treasures.

• Он поступил как настоящий злодей!

  He acted like a true villain!

Russian Forms/Inflections:

преступник (Masculine Noun): Follows regular masculine noun declension in Russian.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	преступник	преступники
Genitive	преступника	преступников
Dative	преступнику	преступникам
Accusative	преступника	преступников
Instrumental	преступником	преступниками
Prepositional	о преступнике	о преступниках

преступница (Feminine Noun): Follows regular feminine noun declension with the "-ца" ending.

злодей (Masculine Noun): Follows regular masculine noun declension, similar to "преступник."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "преступник":

• нарушитель
• злоумышленник

Note: "нарушитель" often implies a less severe offense, while "злоумышленник" emphasizes malicious intent.

Synonyms for "злодей":

• негодяй
• подлец

Antonyms:

• герой (hero)
• законопослушный гражданин (law-abiding citizen)

Related Phrases:

• опасный преступник - "dangerous criminal"
• совершить преступление - "to commit a crime"
• злодейский поступок - "villainous act"

Usage Notes:

• "преступник" and "преступница" are the most neutral and widely used terms for "criminal" in legal or formal contexts. Use "преступница" when referring to a female.
• "злодей" is more literary or emotional and is often used in stories, fairy tales, or to express strong disapproval. It is not typically used in legal contexts.
• Be mindful of gender agreement in Russian when using these nouns with adjectives or verbs.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "злодей" in a legal context. Incorrect: "Суд приговорил злодея к тюрьме." Correct: "Суд приговорил преступника к тюрьме." (The court sentenced the criminal to prison.) Explanation: "злодей" is too informal or literary for legal language.
• Error: Forgetting gender agreement. Incorrect: "Она опасный преступник." Correct: "Она опасная преступница." Explanation: Adjectives must agree with the noun's gender in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the term "злодей" often appears in folklore and classic literature, portraying archetypal villains. It carries a strong negative emotional connotation, unlike the more neutral "преступник."

Related Concepts:

• преступление (crime)
• наказание (punishment)
• закон (law)