Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gipsy'

English Word: gipsy

Key Russian Translations:

• цыган [ˈtsɨɡən] - [Informal, often used in everyday contexts; can be neutral or pejorative depending on context]
• цыганка [ˈtsɨɡənkə] - [Feminine form, Informal, used for a female gypsy]

Frequency: Medium - The term is commonly encountered in literature, historical discussions, and cultural contexts, but not in daily casual conversation among non-specialists.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Requires understanding of basic noun declensions and cultural nuances; for the feminine form "цыганка", it remains B1 as well.

Pronunciation (Russian):

цыган: [ˈtsɨɡən]

цыганка: [ˈtsɨɡənkə]

Note on цыган: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'ы' sound (like a high back unrounded vowel) can be challenging for English speakers; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A member of a traditionally itinerant people, often associated with Romani culture.

Translation(s) & Context:

• цыган - Used in general references to male individuals from Romani groups, in informal or neutral contexts like history or folklore.
• цыганка - Applied to female individuals, often in stories or cultural descriptions, but avoid in sensitive modern discussions due to potential stereotypes.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: В деревне жил старый цыган, который рассказывал удивительные истории. (In the village lived an old gypsy who told amazing stories.)

  English Translation: In the village lived an old gypsy who told amazing stories.

• Русский: Цыганка с яркими одеждами выступала на фестивале. (The gypsy woman with bright clothes performed at the festival.)

  English Translation: The gypsy woman with bright clothes performed at the festival.

• Русский: Многие цыгане сохраняют свои традиции, несмотря на современные вызовы. (Many gypsies maintain their traditions despite modern challenges.)

  English Translation: Many gypsies maintain their traditions despite modern challenges.

• Русский: Он встретил цыгана, который играл на гитаре у костра. (He met a gypsy who was playing the guitar by the campfire.)

  English Translation: He met a gypsy who was playing the guitar by the campfire.

• Русский: Цыганка предсказывала будущее по картам. (The gypsy woman was fortune-telling with cards.)

  English Translation: The gypsy woman was fortune-telling with cards. This example shows the word in a stereotypical context, which should be used cautiously.

Meaning 2: (Informal) A person who lives a nomadic or unconventional lifestyle, not necessarily of Romani origin.

Translation(s) & Context:

• цыган - Metaphorically used for wanderers, but this is less common and can be offensive if implying Romani stereotypes; prefer in literary contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Он вёл жизнь настоящего цыгана, путешествуя по миру без планов. (He led the life of a true gypsy, traveling the world without plans.)

  English Translation: He led the life of a true gypsy, traveling the world without plans.

• Русский: Эта художница — настоящая цыганка в душе, всегда в поисках приключений. (This artist is a true gypsy at heart, always seeking adventures.)

  English Translation: This artist is a true gypsy at heart, always seeking adventures.

• Русский: Не зови его цыганом, если он просто любит путешествовать. (Don't call him a gypsy just because he loves to travel.)

  English Translation: Don't call him a gypsy just because he loves to travel. Note: This highlights potential misuse.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Цыган" is a masculine noun of the first declension, and "цыганка" is a feminine noun. Both follow standard Russian inflection patterns with some irregularities due to their origins.

Note: These words do not change in adjectives or verbs directly, but they inflect as standard nouns. Irregularities may occur in dialects.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ром (rom) - More neutral term for Romani people, often preferred in formal contexts.
  • кочевник (kochevnik) - For the nomadic aspect, meaning "nomad".
• Antonyms:
  • оседлый (osedlyy) - Meaning "settled" or "sedentary", contrasting the nomadic lifestyle.
  • коренной (korennoj) - Meaning "native" or "indigenous", implying stability.

Related Phrases:

• Цыганский табор (tsyganskiy tabór) - A gypsy camp; used in cultural or historical contexts to refer to a nomadic settlement.
• Цыганские песни (tsyganskiye pesni) - Gypsy songs; refers to traditional music, often romanticized in folklore.
• Жить как цыган (zhit' kak tsigan) - To live like a gypsy; means to live freely and nomadically, with a connotation of adventure.

Usage Notes:

The Russian translations like "цыган" directly correspond to "gipsy" but carry cultural sensitivities; in English, "gipsy" is an outdated spelling of "gypsy" and may be seen as pejorative. Use "цыган" in neutral, educational contexts only, and prefer "ром" for accuracy in modern discussions. It's informal and best avoided in formal writing. When choosing between translations, opt for "цыганка" for feminine references, and always consider the grammatical case based on sentence structure.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "цыган" as a plural without inflection, e.g., saying "цыган" instead of "цыгане".
  Correct: "Цыгане живут в таборах" (Gypsies live in camps). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in number and case; this error stems from English's lack of declension.
• Mistake: Confusing with "ром", e.g., assuming they are fully interchangeable.
  Correct: Use "ром" in formal contexts to avoid offense. Explanation: "Цыган" can imply stereotypes, while "ром" is more ethnographically accurate.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "цыган" often evokes images from folklore, literature (e.g., in Pushkin's works), and music, romanticizing Romani traditions. However, it can perpetuate stereotypes of nomadism and mysticism. Historically, Romani people faced discrimination in Russia, so use the term respectfully to acknowledge their rich heritage rather than reducing it to clichés.

Related Concepts:

• рома (roma)
• кочевники (kochevniki)
• народные традиции (narodnye traditsii)