Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'felon'

English Word: felon

Key Russian Translations:

• преступник [prʲɪˈstupnʲɪk] - [Formal, Legal context]
• злодей [zlɐˈdʲej] - [Informal, Literary or dramatic usage]

Frequency: Medium (Common in legal and news contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun inflections; for 'злодей', it may vary slightly but remains at B1 level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

преступник: [prʲɪˈstupnʲɪk]

Note on преступник: The stress is on the third syllable; be mindful of the palatalized 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

злодей: [zlɐˈdʲej]

Note on злодей: The 'дʲ' is a soft 'd' sound; this word is often used in storytelling and has a more emotive tone.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who has been convicted of a serious crime.

Translation(s) & Context:

• преступник - Used in formal legal or official contexts, such as court proceedings or news reports.
• злодей - Applied in informal, narrative, or fictional settings to emphasize moral wrongdoing.

Usage Examples:

• Он был осуждён как преступник за вооружённое ограбление.

  He was convicted as a felon for armed robbery.

• В фильме главный злодей скрывается от правосудия годами.

  In the movie, the main felon evades justice for years.

• Преступник попытался бежать из тюрьмы, но был пойман.

  The felon attempted to escape from prison but was caught.

• Этот злодей из прошлого всегда ассоциируется с коррупцией.

  This felon from the past is always associated with corruption.

• Суд признал его преступником и приговорил к длительному сроку.

  The court recognized him as a felon and sentenced him to a long term.

Alternative meaning: In a broader sense, a habitual or notorious offender.

Translation(s) & Context:

• преступник - Used when referring to repeat offenders in legal discussions.
• злодей - In casual or historical contexts, implying a villainous character.

Usage Examples:

• Закоренелый преступник не исправился даже после нескольких арестов.

  The hardened felon didn't reform even after several arrests.

• Злодей из легенд часто изображался как безжалостный фелон.

  The villain from legends was often depicted as a ruthless felon.

• Этот рецидивистский преступник представляет постоянную угрозу обществу.

  This repeat felon poses an ongoing threat to society.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'преступник' and 'злодей' are masculine nouns in Russian. 'Преступник' follows the standard second declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, while 'злодей' is also masculine but may show irregularities in some forms due to its historical roots.

Note: These nouns do not change for gender but inflect regularly for case and number. 'Злодей' is invariant in some poetic uses.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • преступник - Similar to 'злодей' but more neutral and legal.
  • злодей - Often implies greater malice; used in stories.
  • нарушитель (naрушитель) - For minor offenders, with a less severe connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • невиновный (innocent)
  • законопослушный (law-abiding)

Related Phrases:

• Закоренелый преступник - A hardened or chronic felon; refers to someone with a long history of crimes.
• Злодей из тени - A felon in the shadows; used metaphorically for elusive criminals.
• Освобождение преступника - The release of a felon; common in discussions of parole.

Usage Notes:

'Преступник' is the most direct translation for 'felon' in formal contexts, aligning closely with English legal terminology, but it doesn't carry the exact U.S.-style felony distinction. Use 'злодей' for more narrative or informal settings where a villainous connotation is desired. Be aware of Russian's case system; for example, in sentences, the noun must agree in case with its modifiers. When choosing between translations, opt for 'преступник' in official documents and 'злодей' in creative writing.

• In legal scenarios, pair with verbs like 'осуждать' (to convict).
• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; consider the context to select the appropriate synonym.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'преступник' with 'преступление' (crime), using it as a verb or mixing cases. For example:

• Error: Saying "Он сделал преступник" (incorrect, as it implies "He made a felon").
• Correct: "Он стал преступником" (He became a felon). Explanation: 'Преступник' is a noun and must be used in the proper case; here, nominative after 'стал'.
• Error: Overusing 'злодей' in serious contexts, e.g., "Судья назвал его злодеем" when a neutral term is needed.
• Correct: "Судья назвал его преступником" (The judge called him a felon). Explanation: 'Злодей' adds emotional weight, which may not fit formal settings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'преступник' often evoke references to historical events, such as the Soviet-era gulags or modern organized crime (e.g., the 'vor v zakone' phenomenon). 'Злодей' appears frequently in Russian literature, like in Dostoevsky's works, symbolizing moral corruption and redemption themes, reflecting a cultural emphasis on personal ethics over legal definitions.

Related Concepts:

• преступление (crime)
• осуждение (conviction)
• тюрьма (prison)