Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fireman'

English Word: fireman

Key Russian Translations:

• пожарный [pɐˈʐarnɨj] - [Formal, Masculine noun, Used in general professional contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly encountered in discussions about emergency services, safety, or professions, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner - The word is straightforward for English speakers to learn, as it follows basic Russian noun patterns, though pronunciation of the 'ж' sound may require practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пожарный: [pɐˈʐarnɨj]

Note on пожарный: The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure' in English. Stress falls on the second syllable. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'р' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person employed to extinguish fires and provide emergency response.

Translation(s) & Context:

• пожарный - Used in formal, professional, or emergency contexts, such as describing firefighters in news reports or safety instructions.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Пожарный прибыл на место происшествия и быстро потушил пламя.

  English: The fireman arrived at the scene and quickly extinguished the flames.

• Русский: В нашей школе пожарный провел урок по безопасности.

  English: The fireman gave a safety lesson at our school.

• Русский: Пожарные бригады, включая опытных пожарных, тренируются ежедневно.

  English: Firefighter brigades, including experienced firemen, train daily.

• Русский: Молодой пожарный спас ребенка из горящего дома.

  English: The young fireman rescued a child from the burning house.

• Русский: Пожарный в защитном костюме вошел в здание.

  English: The fireman in protective gear entered the building.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Пожарный is a masculine noun in the first declension group. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for cases and numbers. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively easy to inflect once basic Russian case rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • огнеборец (less formal, emphasizes fire-fighting heroism; used in literary or poetic contexts)
  • спасатель (overlaps in emergency roles but broader, meaning 'rescuer')
• Antonyms:
  • виновник пожара (not a direct antonym, but means 'arsonist' or 'cause of fire', contrasting the role)

Related Phrases:

• Пожарная служба - Refers to the fire department or emergency services organization.
• Пожарный автомобиль - Means 'fire truck', used in contexts of equipment and response.
• Вызов пожарных - Translates to 'calling the firemen', a common phrase in emergency situations.

Usage Notes:

Пожарный directly corresponds to 'fireman' in English, but in modern Russian, it is gender-neutral in professional contexts, though grammatically masculine. Use it in formal or official settings, such as news, education, or safety discussions. If emphasizing a female firefighter, you might specify 'пожарная' (feminine form), but this is less common. When choosing between synonyms like 'огнеборец', opt for 'пожарный' in everyday language for clarity and precision.

• Grammar note: Always inflect based on case (e.g., use dative 'пожарному' after prepositions like 'для').
• Context tip: In Russian media or public announcements, this word appears frequently during fire safety campaigns.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the word without proper inflection, e.g., saying "Я видел пожарный" instead of "Я видел пожарного" in accusative case.
  Correct: "Я видел пожарного" (I saw the fireman). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so learners must adjust endings based on sentence structure.
• Error: Confusing with 'спасатель', assuming they are identical.
  Correct: Use 'пожарный' specifically for fire-related roles, while 'спасатель' covers broader rescue operations. Explanation: This can lead to imprecise communication in emergency contexts.
• Error: Mispronouncing the word by softening the 'ж' sound.
  Correct Pronunciation: [pɐˈʐarnɨj]. Explanation: English speakers might pronounce it like 'z', but in Russian, it's a distinct fricative sound.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, firefighters (пожарные) are highly respected as heroes, especially given the country's history with large-scale fires and disasters. Fire safety is emphasized in public education, with annual campaigns like those by the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The word carries a connotation of bravery and community service, often glorified in Soviet-era propaganda and modern media.

Related Concepts:

• пожар (fire)
• спасатель (rescuer)
• эвакуация (evacuation)
• безопасность (safety)