Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gangster'

English Word: gangster

Key Russian Translations:

• гангстер /ɡæŋˈstɛr/ - [Informal, Borrowed from English, Often used in modern media contexts]
• бандит /ˈbandʲɪt/ - [Informal, General term for a criminal or outlaw]

Frequency: Medium (Common in urban slang and media, but less frequent in everyday formal speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves recognizing loanwords and basic noun inflections; for 'бандит', it's similar due to standard noun patterns)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гангстер: /ɡæŋˈstɛr/

бандит: /ˈbandʲɪt/

Note on гангстер: The pronunciation retains English influences, with stress on the second syllable; be cautious of the hard 'g' sound, which may vary slightly in regional accents.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A member of a criminal organization or gang involved in organized crime.

Translation(s) & Context:

• гангстер - Used in informal or pop culture contexts, such as movies or news about international crime.
• бандит - Applied in broader contexts, including historical or rural settings, to describe bandits or criminals.

Usage Examples:

• В фильме главный герой — известный гангстер, который управляет преступным синдикатом.

  In the movie, the main character is a famous gangster who runs a criminal syndicate.

• Этот район полон бандитов, которые грабят прохожих по ночам.

  This neighborhood is full of bandits who rob passersby at night.

• Гангстеры из американских фильмов часто вдохновляют русскую уличную культуру.

  Gangsters from American movies often inspire Russian street culture.

• Бандит был пойман полицией после серии ограблений банков.

  The bandit was caught by the police after a series of bank robberies.

• В некоторых регионах России термин гангстер используется для описания лидеров организованной преступности.

  In some regions of Russia, the term gangster is used to describe leaders of organized crime.

Secondary Meaning: Figurative use for someone who is tough or engages in risky behavior (e.g., in slang).

Translation(s) & Context:

• гангстер - In slang, for someone acting boldly or rebelliously, often positively in youth culture.

Usage Examples:

• Мой друг — настоящий гангстер на skateboard, он выполняет трюки, которые никто не осмеливается.

  My friend is a real gangster on a skateboard; he performs tricks that no one dares to try.

• В интернете его называют гангстером бизнеса за агрессивные тактики.

  Online, he's called a gangster of business for his aggressive tactics.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'гангстер' and 'бандит' are masculine nouns in Russian, following standard declension patterns for nouns ending in consonants. 'Гангстер' is a loanword and may have less variation in informal use, while 'бандит' follows regular patterns.

Note: 'Гангстер' is relatively invariable in casual speech and may not always follow strict rules due to its borrowed status.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • преступник (prestupnik) - More general term for criminal.
  • мафиози (mafiozi) - Specifically for mafia members, with a connotation of organized crime.
• Antonyms:
  • полицейский (policeman) - Refers to law enforcement officers.
  • законник (zakonnik) - A person who upholds the law.

Related Phrases:

• гангстерская война - Gang war; a conflict between criminal groups.
• бандитский налёт - Bandit raid; a sudden attack or robbery.
• организованная преступность - Organized crime; broader phrase including gangster activities.

Usage Notes:

'Гангстер' is a direct borrow from English and is best used in informal or cultural contexts, such as discussing films or modern urban life, whereas 'бандит' is more traditional and fits historical or general crime narratives. English speakers should note that Russian has no direct one-to-one equivalent, so choose based on context: use 'гангстер' for international influences and 'бандит' for domestic settings. Be mindful of gender agreements in sentences, as both are masculine nouns.

• In formal writing, opt for 'преступник' to avoid slang.
• Grammar tip: Always decline these nouns according to case for correct sentence structure.

Common Errors:

English learners often mispronounce 'гангстер' by stressing the wrong syllable or softening the 'g', saying something like "ɡænˈstɛr" instead of "/ɡæŋˈstɛr/". Correct usage: Practice the hard 'g' and second-syllable stress. Another error is confusing it with 'бандит' in contexts; for example, incorrectly using 'гангстер' in a historical Russian setting where 'бандит' is more appropriate. Wrong: "В 19 веке гангстеры грабили поезда." Correct: "В 19 веке бандиты грабили поезда." Explanation: 'Гангстер' implies modern organized crime, while 'бандит' suits older or rural contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'бандит' evokes images of historical outlaws like those in the Wild East or Soviet-era criminals, often romanticized in literature and films. 'Гангстер', influenced by American media, reflects globalized youth culture and may carry connotations of glamour or rebellion, as seen in references to figures like Al Capone in Russian adaptations.

Related Concepts:

• мафия
• криминал
• преступный мир