Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Dignitary'

English Word: Dignitary

Key Russian Translations:

• сановник [sɐˈnovnʲɪk] - [Formal, Singular]
• высокопоставленное лицо [vɨsəkəpɐˈstavlʲɪnːəjə ˈlʲit͡sə] - [Formal, Neutral, Often Used in Official Contexts]

Frequency: Medium (used in formal and official contexts)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "сановник"; C1 (Advanced) for "высокопоставленное лицо" due to complexity of phrase

Pronunciation (Russian):

сановник: [sɐˈnovnʲɪk]

Note on сановник: Stress on the second syllable; the "в" is pronounced softly as [vʲ].

высокопоставленное лицо: [vɨsəkəpɐˈstavlʲɪnːəjə ˈlʲit͡sə]

Note on высокопоставленное лицо: Stress on the fourth syllable of "высокопоставленное" and first syllable of "лицо"; ensure clear articulation of the long "нн".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A person holding a high rank or office (Official Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сановник - Often used historically or in literary contexts to refer to a high-ranking official.
• высокопоставленное лицо - Commonly used in modern Russian for official or diplomatic references to important figures.

Usage Examples:

• На приеме присутствовали многие сановники из разных стран.

  Many dignitaries from different countries attended the reception.

• Высокопоставленное лицо прибыло для переговоров.

  A high-ranking official arrived for negotiations.

• Сановник выступил с речью на церемонии.

  The dignitary delivered a speech at the ceremony.

• Это решение было принято высокопоставленным лицом.

  This decision was made by a dignitary.

• Встреча сановников прошла в закрытом формате.

  The meeting of dignitaries was held in a closed format.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

сановник (Noun, Masculine, Animate):

высокопоставленное лицо (Phrase, Neutral Gender for "лицо"): The adjective "высокопоставленное" agrees with "лицо" in gender, number, and case. "Лицо" follows standard neuter noun declension.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for сановник / высокопоставленное лицо:

• чиновник (official, often less formal)
• должностное лицо (official person, formal)

Antonyms for сановник / высокопоставленное лицо:

• рядовой (ordinary person, rank-and-file)
• простолюдин (commoner, historical)

Related Phrases:

• высокопоставленный гость - A high-ranking guest (used for dignitaries visiting officially).
• сановник двора - A court dignitary (historical context, referring to royal courts).
• официальная встреча сановников - An official meeting of dignitaries (used in diplomatic settings).

Usage Notes:

• "сановник" is more concise and often carries a historical or literary tone, suitable for older texts or formal speeches.
• "высокопоставленное лицо" is a modern, neutral phrase widely used in news, politics, and official documents.
• Choose "высокопоставленное лицо" in contemporary contexts to avoid sounding archaic unless the context explicitly calls for a historical tone.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "сановник" in casual conversation. Incorrect: "Я встретил сановника на улице." Correct: Use a more neutral term like "важный человек" (important person) in informal settings. Explanation: "сановник" sounds overly formal and outdated in everyday speech.
• Error: Misusing adjective agreement in "высокопоставленное лицо." Incorrect: "высокопоставленный лицо." Correct: "высокопоставленное лицо" because "лицо" is neuter. Explanation: Adjectives must match the gender of the noun they describe.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, addressing or referring to dignitaries often involves a high degree of formality. Terms like "сановник" may evoke imagery of historical nobility or Tsarist officials, while "высокопоставленное лицо" aligns with modern bureaucratic or diplomatic language. Respect and hierarchy are deeply embedded in such terminology, reflecting societal values.

Related Concepts:

• власть (power/authority)
• должность (position/office)
• иерархия (hierarchy)