Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dustman'

English Word: dustman

Key Russian Translations:

• мусорщик [muˈsorsʲtɕik] - [Informal, Masculine noun]

Frequency: Medium (This word is used in everyday contexts related to waste management but is not among the most common Russian vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level should be familiar with basic noun declensions and everyday professions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мусорщик: [muˈsorsʲtɕik]

Note on мусорщик: The stress falls on the second syllable. The 'щ' sound is a soft, hissing 'sh' which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 'sh' in 'she' but with a palatalized quality.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who collects and disposes of household waste or garbage (common in British English).

Translation(s) & Context:

• мусорщик - Used in informal contexts to refer to a garbage collector, often in urban or domestic settings.

Usage Examples:

• Мусорщик едет по улице и собирает мусор из контейнеров.

  The dustman drives down the street and collects garbage from the bins.

• В нашем районе мусорщик приходит каждое утро, чтобы очистить улицы.

  In our neighborhood, the dustman comes every morning to clean the streets.

• Мусорщик в защитной одежде сортирует отходы на свалке.

  The dustman in protective gear sorts waste at the landfill.

• Дети наблюдали, как мусорщик загружает мешки в грузовик.

  The children watched as the dustman loaded bags into the truck.

• Мусорщик — это важная профессия для поддержания чистоты города.

  The dustman is an important profession for maintaining the city's cleanliness.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Мусорщик is a masculine animate noun in Russian, which means it follows the standard second declension pattern for masculine nouns. It has regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table of its declensions in the singular form:

Note: In the plural form, it becomes irregular in some cases, e.g., Nominative plural: мусорщики. This noun does not change for gender but must agree in case with its modifiers in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сборщик мусора (more formal, emphasizes the action of collecting)
  • уборщик (general cleaner, but can overlap in waste-related contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • грязнуля (slang for a messy person, opposite in the sense of cleanliness)

Related Phrases:

• Сбор мусора (Garbage collection) - Refers to the organized process of waste removal.
• Мусорный бак (Trash bin) - A container for waste, often handled by a dustman.
• Выносить мусор (To take out the trash) - Common phrase involving the role of a dustman in urban life.

Usage Notes:

"Мусорщик" directly corresponds to "dustman" in British English, referring specifically to someone who collects household waste. It is typically used in informal or everyday contexts and may carry a neutral or slightly undervalued connotation in Russian culture. Be cautious with gender agreement, as it is a masculine noun. When choosing between translations like "мусорщик" and "сборщик мусора," opt for the former in casual speech and the latter in formal or professional discussions. Always ensure the noun agrees in case with verbs and adjectives in the sentence.

Common Errors:

• Common Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел мусорщик" instead of "Я видел мусорщика" (Accusative case).

  Correct Usage: "Я видел мусорщика на улице." (I saw the dustman on the street.) Explanation: In Russian, the direct object requires the Accusative case, so "мусорщик" changes to "мусорщика."

• Common Error: Confusing with "уборщик," which can mean a general cleaner, leading to misuse in waste-specific contexts.

  Correct Usage: Use "мусорщик" for garbage collection roles. Explanation: "Уборщик" is broader and might not convey the exact profession of a dustman.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, professions like мусорщик are essential for maintaining urban hygiene, especially in cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg. However, they are often underappreciated, reflecting broader societal attitudes toward manual labor. This word may evoke themes from Soviet-era literature, where waste management symbolized social order and collective responsibility.

Related Concepts:

• мусор
• свалка
• экология