Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'emigrant'

English Word: emigrant

Key Russian Translations:

• эмигрант /ɛˈmʲigrant/ - [Formal, Masculine noun, Used in discussions of migration and history]

Frequency: Medium (Common in contexts like history, politics, and news, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of noun declensions and formal vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

эмигрант: /ɛˈmʲigrant/ (The stress is on the second syllable; the 'э' is pronounced as a short 'e' sound, similar to 'e' in 'bet')

Note on эмигрант: Be cautious with the palatalized 'мʲ' sound, which is a softened 'm' before 'i'. This can be tricky for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person who leaves their own country to settle permanently in another, often due to political, economic, or social reasons.

Translation(s) & Context:

• эмигрант - Used in formal or historical contexts, such as academic discussions or news reports on migration; typically refers to voluntary departure.

Usage Examples:

• Мой дед был эмигрантом в Соединённые Штаты во время Второй мировой войны.

  My grandfather was an emigrant to the United States during World War II.

• Многие эмигранты из России в XIX веке искали лучшую жизнь в Европе.

  Many emigrants from Russia in the 19th century sought a better life in Europe.

• Эти эмигранты принесли с собой богатую культуру и традиции.

  These emigrants brought with them a rich culture and traditions.

• Как эмигрант, она столкнулась с трудностями адаптации к новому обществу.

  As an emigrant, she faced challenges in adapting to the new society.

• Правительство предоставляет поддержку эмигрантам, возвращающимся на родину.

  The government provides support to emigrants returning to their homeland.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Эмигрант" is a masculine noun of the second declension in Russian. It follows standard noun declension patterns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declensions are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: беженец (refugee - often implies fleeing due to persecution, with a more urgent connotation); изгнанник (exile - used for forced departure)
• Antonyms: иммигрант (immigrant - refers to someone entering a new country)

Related Phrases:

• политический эмигрант - Political emigrant; refers to someone leaving due to political reasons, often in historical contexts.
• экономический эмигрант - Economic emigrant; used for those migrating for job or financial opportunities.
• массовый исход эмигрантов - Mass exodus of emigrants; describes large-scale migration events.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "эмигрант" directly corresponds to the English "emigrant" but is more commonly used in formal, historical, or journalistic contexts. Unlike in English, where "emigrant" and "immigrant" are clearly distinguished, Russian speakers might use context to differentiate; always specify the direction of movement for clarity. This word is gender-neutral in plural forms but masculine in singular, so use appropriate adjectives (e.g., "большой эмигрант" for a male). When choosing between translations, opt for "эмигрант" for voluntary moves and "изгнанник" for forced ones to avoid ambiguity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "эмигрант" with "иммигрант" (immigrant). For example, an English learner might say "Он эмигрант в Россию" when meaning someone moving to Russia.

  Correct: "Он иммигрант в Россию" (He is an immigrant to Russia). Explanation: "Эмигрант" implies leaving from a country, not arriving in one, so use it only for the origin perspective.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun in sentences, e.g., saying "Я встретил эмигрант" instead of "Я встретил эмигранта" in accusative case.

  Correct: "Я встретил эмигранта." Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always adjust the ending based on the sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, "эмигрант" often evokes the era of the Russian Revolution and Soviet times, when many intellectuals and dissidents became emigrants to Europe and America. This term carries connotations of loss and diaspora, as seen in literature like works by emigrant authors such as Vladimir Nabokov, highlighting themes of cultural displacement and adaptation.

Related Concepts:

• иммиграция
• эмиграция
• беженец