Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'footballer'

English Word: footballer

Key Russian Translations:

• футболист /fuˈtbo.lʲɪst/ - [Common, Masculine noun, Used in general and sports contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This term is commonly used in sports discussions, media, and everyday conversations related to football, but less frequent in non-sports contexts.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner, as it is a basic noun with straightforward usage; suitable for early learners of Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

футболист: /fuˈtbo.lʲɪst/

Note on футболист: The stress falls on the second syllable ("tbo"), which is common in Russian loanwords. Pay attention to the soft 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who plays football (soccer), typically professionally or as a sportsperson.

Translation(s) & Context:

• футболист - Used in everyday contexts to refer to a soccer player, especially in professional or amateur sports settings. This is the standard term in Russian media and conversations about football.

Usage Examples:

• Он — профессиональный футболист и играет за национальную сборную. (He is a professional footballer and plays for the national team.)

  He is a professional footballer and plays for the national team.

• Моя сестра — талантливый футболист в местной лиге. (My sister is a talented footballer in the local league.)

  My sister is a talented footballer in the local league.

• Футболисты тренируются каждый день, чтобы улучшить свою технику. (Footballers train every day to improve their technique.)

  Footballers train every day to improve their technique.

• Известный футболист посетил школу и провел мастер-класс. (The famous footballer visited the school and held a masterclass.)

  The famous footballer visited the school and held a masterclass.

• Молодой футболист дебютировал в премьер-лиге на прошлой неделе. (The young footballer made his debut in the premier league last week.)

  The young footballer made his debut in the premier league last week.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Футболист" is a masculine noun (3rd declension) in Russian. It follows standard noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This noun does not have irregular inflections, making it relatively easy for learners. In plural forms, the ending changes predictably based on standard Russian grammar rules.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • игрок в футбол (player in football) - More descriptive, used when emphasizing the activity rather than the profession.
  • спортсмен по футболу (sportsman in football) - Formal variant, highlighting the athletic aspect.
• Antonyms:
  • тренер (coach) - Refers to someone who trains players rather than plays.
  • болельщик (fan) - Someone who supports the sport but does not play.

Related Phrases:

• профессиональный футболист (professional footballer) - Refers to a player who earns a living from the sport; commonly used in career discussions.
• любительский футболист (amateur footballer) - Describes someone who plays for recreation, not professionally.
• звездный футболист (star footballer) - Used for famous or highly skilled players, often in media contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "футболист" directly corresponds to the English "footballer" in the context of soccer (as opposed to American football, which is less common in Russia). It is a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal settings, such as news articles or casual conversations. When choosing between synonyms like "игрок в футбол," opt for "футболист" in sports-specific contexts for conciseness. Grammatically, remember that as a masculine noun, it requires masculine agreement in adjectives and verbs (e.g., "он хороший футболист" - "he is a good footballer"). Avoid using it in non-sports contexts to prevent confusion.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the feminine form "футболистка" for male players. Correct: "футболист" for males and "футболистка" for females. Explanation: Russian nouns have gender, so mismatch can lead to grammatical errors; for example, incorrect: "Она — футболист" (should be "футболистка" for a female).

• Error: Forgetting case inflections, e.g., saying "Я видел футболист" instead of "Я видел футболиста" in accusative case. Correct: Always adjust for case as per sentence structure. Explanation: This is a common mistake for English speakers unused to declensions, which can alter the word's ending based on its role in the sentence.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, football (soccer) is one of the most popular sports, with a rich cultural history tied to events like the FIFA World Cup. Terms like "футболист" often evoke national pride, especially in reference to players from teams like FC Zenit or the Russian national squad. Historically, football gained prominence in the Soviet era, and figures like Lev Yashin (a legendary goalkeeper) embody the cultural iconography of the "футболист" as a national hero.

Related Concepts:

• тренер (coach)
• стадион (stadium)
• чемпионат (championship)
• сборная (national team)