Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fink'

English Word: fink

Key Russian Translations:

• стукач [ˈstukətʃ] - [Informal, Slang, Often used in criminal or everyday contexts to denote a snitch or informant]
• предатель [prʲɪˈdatʲɪlʲ] - [Formal, General, Used for a betrayer or traitor, with broader implications]
• доносчик [dɐˈnosʲtɕɪk] - [Formal, Historical or legal contexts, implying someone who reports to authorities]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'стукач' is common in informal Russian speech, especially in literature or media about crime, but not as frequent in everyday polite conversation. 'Предатель' is more widely used across contexts.)

Difficulty: B1 for 'стукач' (Intermediate, as it involves understanding slang and cultural nuances); B2 for 'предатель' and 'доносчик' (Upper-Intermediate, due to their formal connotations and potential historical references).

Pronunciation (Russian):

стукач: [ˈstukətʃ] (The stress is on the first syllable; the 'ч' sound is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to 'ch' in 'loch'.)

предатель: [prʲɪˈdatʲɪlʲ] (Note the palatalized 'r' and 'l' sounds, which are common in Russian and may be challenging for English speakers; stress on the second syllable.)

доносчик: [dɐˈnosʲtɕɪk] (Emphasize the soft 's' in 'nos' and the 'ч' sound; this word has a more formal rhythm.)

Note on стукач: Be cautious with the 'у' vowel, which is pronounced like a short 'oo' in 'book'. Variations in regional accents may soften the consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person who informs on others, often secretly or betraying trust (e.g., a snitch in informal English contexts).

Translation(s) & Context:

• стукач - Used in informal, slang-heavy contexts like conversations about crime or distrust; implies a low-status informant.
• предатель - Applied in more serious or formal situations, such as politics or personal relationships, to denote betrayal.

Usage Examples:

• В нашей компании появился стукач, который докладывает начальству о всех ошибках.

  In our company, a snitch appeared who reports all mistakes to the management.

• Он стал стукачом, чтобы избежать наказания, но потерял друзей навсегда.

  He became a snitch to avoid punishment but lost his friends forever.

• Не будь предателем; лучше скажи правду напрямую, а не через кого-то.

  Don't be a traitor; it's better to say the truth directly rather than through someone else.

• Доносчик в фильме раскрыл заговор, но это стоило ему жизни.

  The informant in the movie uncovered the conspiracy, but it cost him his life.

• В исторических текстах доносчики часто изображались как необходимые, но презренные фигуры.

  In historical texts, informers are often depicted as necessary but despised figures.

Meaning 2: A general term for a failure or weak person (less common in formal English, but possible in slang).

Translation(s) & Context:

• предатель - In metaphorical contexts, to describe someone unreliable or weak-willed.

Usage Examples:

• Он оказался предателем в команде, сдав все секреты соперникам.

  He turned out to be a fink in the team, giving away all secrets to the opponents.

• Не будь стукачом; стой за своих друзей, даже если это сложно.

  Don't be a fink; stand up for your friends, even if it's tough.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Стукач' is a masculine noun (3rd declension). It follows standard Russian noun inflections for gender, number, and case. Below is a table for its declensions:

'Предатель' is also a masculine noun with regular inflections, similar to above (e.g., Genitive: предателя). 'Доносчик' follows the same pattern and is invariant in most forms except for case changes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: доносчик (more formal, historical connotation), информатор (neutral, modern usage), осведомитель (official informant)
• With differences: 'Информатор' is less negative and often used in professional contexts, unlike the slangy 'стукач'.
• Antonyms: верный друг (loyal friend), соучастник (accomplice)

Related Phrases:

• стукач на кого-то - A phrase meaning "to snitch on someone"; used in contexts of betrayal or reporting.
• предатель родины - Meaning "traitor to the homeland"; often in patriotic or historical discussions.
• доносчик в полиции - Refers to "an informant in the police"; highlights institutional roles.

Usage Notes:

'Стукач' directly corresponds to the informal English 'fink' as a snitch, but it's highly colloquial and can carry a strong negative stigma in Russian culture, so use it cautiously in conversations. 'Предатель' aligns with broader betrayal concepts and is more versatile across formal and informal settings. When choosing between translations, opt for 'стукач' in everyday slang and 'предатель' in serious contexts. Grammatically, these nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with other elements in the sentence, which is a key Russian feature English speakers must master.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'стукач' in formal writing, e.g., saying "Он стукач" instead of "Он предатель" in a legal document. Correct: "Он предатель" – Explanation: 'Стукач' is slang and inappropriate for formal contexts; it can make the speaker sound uneducated.
• Error: Misinflecting the noun, e.g., saying "стукачам" (dative plural) when nominative is needed. Correct: "Стукач был пойман" – Explanation: Always check case endings based on sentence structure to avoid grammatical errors.
• Error: Confusing with English equivalents, leading to over-translation, e.g., using 'стукач' for any betrayer when 'предатель' is more accurate. Correct: Contextually choose the right word – Explanation: This can dilute the meaning; analyze the nuance first.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'стукач' evoke memories of the Soviet era, where informants were common under surveillance systems like the KGB. This adds a layer of historical distrust, making such terms emotionally charged in modern discussions about loyalty and government oversight.

Related Concepts:

• осведомитель
• изменник
• шпион