Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gambler'

English Word: gambler

Key Russian Translations:

• игрок [ˈigrək] - [Informal; commonly used in everyday contexts for someone who engages in gambling or games of chance]
• азартный игрок [ɐˈzartnɨj ˈigrək] - [Formal; emphasizes the thrill-seeking aspect, often in professional or addictive contexts]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are encountered regularly in discussions about entertainment, risk-taking, or literature, but not as commonly as basic everyday vocabulary.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level should grasp the basic usage, though nuances in context (e.g., distinguishing from general 'player') may require practice. For 'азартный игрок', difficulty could be B2 due to the compound structure.

Pronunciation (Russian):

игрок: [ˈigrək]

азартный игрок: [ɐˈzartnɨj ˈigrək]

Note on игрок: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the soft 'г' sound, which can vary slightly in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person who habitually engages in gambling, often implying risk-taking or addiction.

Translation(s) & Context:

• игрок - Used in informal settings, such as casual conversations about casino games or betting; contextually neutral but can imply habit.
• азартный игрок - Applied in more formal or descriptive contexts, like psychology or literature, to highlight the emotional or compulsive element.

Usage Examples:

• Он был заядлым игроком и часто посещал казино.

  He was an avid gambler and often visited the casino.

• Азартный игрок может потерять всё за одну ночь.

  A thrill-seeking gambler can lose everything in one night.

• В этом фильме главный герой — профессиональный игрок, рискующий ради больших ставок.

  In this film, the main character is a professional gambler, risking for high stakes.

• Мой дядя стал игроком после того, как выиграл в лотерею.

  My uncle became a gambler after winning the lottery.

• Азартный игрок всегда ищет новые способы испытать удачу.

  A thrill-seeking gambler is always looking for new ways to test their luck.

Meaning 2: Figuratively, someone who takes risks in non-gambling contexts (e.g., business or life decisions).

Translation(s) & Context:

• игрок - In metaphorical uses, such as in business; e.g., "финансовый игрок" for a financial risk-taker.
• азартный игрок - Less common here, but can emphasize bold, impulsive decisions.

Usage Examples:

• В мире бизнеса он известен как смелый игрок на рынке акций.

  In the business world, he is known as a bold gambler in the stock market.

• Азартный игрок в жизни часто добивается успеха, но и рискует всем.

  A thrill-seeking gambler in life often achieves success but risks everything.

• Этот инвестор — настоящий игрок, инвестирующий в высокорискованные проекты.

  This investor is a real gambler, investing in high-risk projects.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'игрок' and 'азартный игрок' are nouns. 'Игрок' is a masculine noun of the second declension, which follows regular patterns. 'Азартный' is an adjective that agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case.

For 'азартный игрок', the adjective 'азартный' changes as follows in singular masculine: азартного (genitive), азартному (dative), etc. It is regular and follows standard adjective declension rules.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ставочник - More specific to betting; implies a regular bettor.
  • рискующий - Emphasizes the risk-taking aspect without focusing on gambling.
• Antonyms:
  • воздержанный - Refers to someone cautious or abstinent from risks.
  • осторожный - Means careful or prudent, contrasting with impulsive gambling behavior.

Related Phrases:

• Профессиональный игрок - Professional gambler; used for someone who gambles as a career.
• Заядлый игрок - Avid or habitual gambler; implies strong addiction or enthusiasm.
• Играть по-крупному - To gamble big; literally "to play on a large scale," often in high-stakes contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Игрок' directly corresponds to 'gambler' in most contexts but can also mean a general player (e.g., in sports or games), so English users should consider the context to avoid ambiguity. 'Азартный игрок' is more precise for thrill-seeking connotations and is preferred in formal writing. Use 'игрок' in informal speech, but pair it with descriptors for clarity. Grammatically, ensure adjectives agree in gender, number, and case when modifying the noun.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'игрок' with a general 'player' in non-gambling contexts, leading to misuse like saying 'игрок' for a video game player.

  Correct: Use 'игрок' only for gambling; for games, specify 'спортивный игрок' or contextually clarify.

  Explanation: In Russian, context is key; English learners often overlook this, resulting in imprecise communication.

• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., using nominative 'игрок' in genitive contexts.

  Correct: Use 'игрока' in genitive (e.g., "друга игрока" instead of "друга игрок").

  Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers might forget, altering sentence meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, gambling has historical ties to literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's 'The Gambler') and is often viewed with caution due to legal restrictions and social stigma. Terms like 'игрок' can carry connotations of moral weakness or excitement, reflecting Russia's complex relationship with risk and fate in folklore and modern society.

Related Concepts:

• казино
• ставка
• риск