Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'environmentalist'

English Word: environmentalist

Key Russian Translations:

• эколог [ɪkɐˈlɔɡ] - [Formal, Singular]
• защитник окружающей среды [zəʂˈʧʲɪtnʲɪk ɐkrʊˈʐaɪʂʲɪʂʲeɪ ˈsʲrʲedɨ] - [Formal, Phrase, Used in official or activist contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in environmental discussions, media, and activism, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of thematic vocabulary and basic Russian noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

эколог: [ɪkɐˈlɔɡ]

Note on эколог: The stress is on the second syllable. Be careful with the 'г' sound, which is a voiced velar fricative, similar to the 'g' in "go" but softer in Russian.

защитник окружающей среды: [zəʂˈʧʲɪtnʲɪk ɐkrʊˈʐaɪʂʲɪʂʲeɪ ˈsʲrʲedɨ]

Note on защитник окружающей среды: This is a compound phrase; pronounce it as separate words. The 'щ' in "защитник" is a voiceless palatal fricative, often challenging for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A person who advocates for the protection of the environment and works to promote sustainability.

Translation(s) & Context:

• эколог - Used in formal contexts like scientific discussions or environmental campaigns, referring to someone actively involved in ecology.
• защитник окружающей среды - Employed in broader, activist or policy-related contexts, emphasizing protection and defense of the environment.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Эколог выступил на конференции по изменению климата.

  English: The environmentalist spoke at the conference on climate change.

• Русский: Защитник окружающей среды борется против загрязнения рек в регионе.

  English: The environmentalist is fighting against river pollution in the region.

• Русский: Молодой эколог основал организацию для защиты лесов.

  English: The young environmentalist founded an organization to protect forests.

• Русский: В России многие защитники окружающей среды участвуют в уборках пляжей.

  English: In Russia, many environmentalists participate in beach cleanups.

• Русский: Эколог предупредил о последствиях вырубки деревьев.

  English: The environmentalist warned about the consequences of deforestation.

Secondary Meaning: Someone who studies or specializes in environmental science.

Translation(s) & Context:

• эколог - In academic or professional settings, often interchangeable with "ecologist" but with a focus on activism.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Эколог изучает влияние промышленных отходов на природу.

  English: The environmentalist is studying the impact of industrial waste on nature.

• Русский: Защитник окружающей среды работает в лаборатории, анализируя загрязнители.

  English: The environmentalist works in a lab, analyzing pollutants.

• Русский: Эколог получил грант для исследования биоразнообразия.

  English: The environmentalist received a grant for biodiversity research.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. "Эколог" is a masculine noun (from Greek roots) and follows standard second-declension patterns in Russian. "Защитник окружающей среды" is a phrase where "защитник" is a masculine noun, and "окружающей среды" is genitive. Below is a table for the declension of "эколог".

For "защитник", it follows similar masculine noun patterns, but as a phrase, "окружающей среды" remains mostly unchanged in genitive form. No irregular inflections noted.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • эковолонтер (ecovolunteer; more casual, emphasizes voluntary work)
  • природоохранник (nature protector; formal, specific to conservation)
• Antonyms:
  • загрязнитель (polluter; refers to someone who harms the environment)
  • эксплуататор ресурсов (resource exploiter; broader term for unsustainable practices)

Related Phrases:

• Защита окружающей среды - Environmental protection; commonly used in policy and activist contexts.
• Экологическое движение - Environmental movement; refers to organized efforts for sustainability.
• Борьба за чистый воздух - Fight for clean air; a phrase highlighting specific environmental campaigns.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "эколог" directly corresponds to "environmentalist" in activist or professional contexts, but it can sometimes overlap with "ecologist" (a scientist). Use "защитник окружающей среды" for more emphatic or formal situations, such as legal or international discussions. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences; "эколог" is masculine, so adjectives and verbs must agree. For plural forms, use when referring to groups, e.g., in movements. Choose between translations based on context: "эколог" for individuals, and the phrase for broader concepts.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing "эколог" with "экономист" (economist), due to similar pronunciation of the first syllable. Incorrect: Экономист борется за природу. Correct: Эколог борется за природу. Explanation: Always double-check spelling; "эколог" relates to ecology, not economics.
• Mistake: Forgetting to decline the noun in sentences, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Incorrect: Я разговаривал с эколог (in a context requiring genitive). Correct: Я разговаривал с экологом. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; practice declensions to avoid this.
• Mistake: Overusing the phrase "защитник окружающей среды" in casual speech. Correct Approach: Opt for "эколог" in everyday contexts for brevity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, environmentalism has grown significantly since the 1980s, influenced by events like the Chernobyl disaster. Terms like "эколог" often carry connotations of activism against industrial pollution, reflecting historical tensions between development and conservation. For instance, groups like Greenpeace Russia use these terms in campaigns, embedding them in cultural discussions about sustainability amid vast natural resources.

Related Concepts:

• экология (ecology)
• загрязнение (pollution)
• биоразнообразие (biodiversity)