Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'distributor'

English Word: distributor

Key Russian Translations:

• дистрибьютор [dɪstrɪˈbjuːtər] - [Formal, Business Context]
• распространитель [rəsprəstˈranʲɪtʲɪlʲ] - [Formal, General or Literary Context]
• поставщик [pəstɐfˈʃʲɪk] - [Informal, Supply Chain Context]

Frequency: Medium (Common in business and commercial discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with business terminology and basic noun inflections in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

дистрибьютор: [dɪstrɪˈbjuːtər] (Stress on the third syllable; the "ю" sound is like "yu" in "yule")

распространитель: [rəsprəstˈranʲɪtʲɪlʲ] (Soft "т" and palatalized consonants; stress on the third syllable)

поставщик: [pəstɐfˈʃʲɪk] (Stress on the second syllable; the "ш" is a soft "sh" sound)

Note on дистрибьютор: This word is a loanword from English, so pronunciation closely mirrors the original, but Russians may soften the consonants slightly. Be mindful of the rolling "r" in some regional accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person or company that supplies goods to stores or businesses (Primary commercial sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• дистрибьютор - Used in formal business settings, such as international trade or product distribution.
• распространитель - Applied in broader contexts, like media or information dissemination.
• поставщик - Common in supply chain discussions, often interchangeable but with a focus on regular supply.

Usage Examples:

• Эта компания является официальным дистрибьютором импортных товаров в России.

  This company is the official distributor of imported goods in Russia.

• Распространитель новостей должен проверять информацию перед публикацией.

  The distributor of news must verify information before publishing.

• Мы сотрудничаем с надежным поставщиком электроники для нашего магазина.

  We collaborate with a reliable distributor of electronics for our store.

• Дистрибьютор отвечает за логистику и доставку продукции по всей стране.

  The distributor is responsible for the logistics and delivery of products across the country.

• Как распространитель, он помог популяризировать местные продукты на рынке.

  As a distributor, he helped popularize local products in the market.

Meaning 2: A device or mechanism that distributes something, e.g., in mechanics (Less common, technical sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• дистрибьютор - Used in technical or engineering contexts, like automotive parts.

Usage Examples:

• В двигателе автомобиля распределитель зажигания играет ключевую роль.

  In a car engine, the distributor plays a key role in ignition.

• Этот дистрибьютор равномерно распределяет тепло по системе.

  This distributor evenly distributes heat throughout the system.

• Механик заменил старый дистрибьютор на новый для улучшения производительности.

  The mechanic replaced the old distributor with a new one to improve performance.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Most translations like "дистрибьютор", "распространитель", and "поставщик" are masculine nouns. Russian nouns inflect based on case, number, and gender. These words follow standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

For "распространитель": Similar inflections, e.g., Nominative Singular: распространитель; Genitive Singular: распространителя.

For "поставщик": Also masculine, with regular inflections, e.g., Nominative Plural: поставщики.

These words do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: поставщик (supplier, often used interchangeably in commerce); распространитель (disseminator, with a broader scope); дилер (dealer, for retail contexts)
• поставщик may imply a more ongoing relationship, while дистрибьютор focuses on distribution networks.
• Antonyms: потребитель (consumer, as it represents the opposite end of the supply chain)

Related Phrases:

• Официальный дистрибьютор - Official distributor (Refers to an authorized supplier in a market.)
• Международный распространитель - International distributor (Used for global trade contexts.)
• Поставщик услуг - Service provider (A common phrase for distributors of intangible goods.)

Usage Notes:

"Distributor" in English often corresponds most directly to "дистрибьютор" in Russian, especially in business English. Use "дистрибьютор" for formal, international contexts, as it's a loanword and easily understood. "Распространитель" is better for cultural or media-related distribution, while "поставщик" suits everyday supply chains. Be aware of case inflections when using these in sentences, as Russian requires agreement with other elements. For English learners, choose based on context: opt for "дистрибьютор" in corporate settings to maintain precision.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "дистрибутор" without the correct ending (e.g., forgetting inflections). Correct: In genitive case, it should be "дистрибьютора", not "дистрибьютор". Example of error: "Я купил от дистрибьютор" (incorrect); Correct: "Я купил от дистрибьютора". Explanation: Russian nouns change based on case, so always check the sentence structure.
• Error: Confusing with "продавец" (seller), which is less formal. Correct: Use "дистрибьютор" for wholesale, not retail. Example of error: "Дистрибьютор продает в магазине" (implies direct selling); Correct: "Поставщик поставляет товары в магазин". Explanation: "Distributor" involves supply, not direct sales.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a "distributor" is prominent in the post-Soviet economy, where foreign brands often rely on local distributors to navigate bureaucracy and regional markets. Words like "дистрибьютор" highlight Russia's integration into global trade, but they may carry connotations of Western influence, especially in media and consumer goods.

Related Concepts:

• импортер (importer)
• экспортер (exporter)
• логистика (logistics)
• рынок (market)