Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gleaner'

English Word: gleaner

Key Russian Translations:

• собиратель /sɐˈbʲirətʲɛlʲ/ - [Formal, Literary context]
• подсборщик /pɐdˈsborʃʲik/ - [Specific to agriculture, Less common]

Frequency: Low (This word is not frequently used in everyday conversation; it's more common in historical, literary, or agricultural discussions.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of specific vocabulary and noun inflections, but not overly complex for learners with basic Russian grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

собиратель: /sɐˈbʲirətʲɛlʲ/

Note on собиратель: The stress falls on the second syllable ("bi"), which is common in Russian masculine nouns. Pronunciation can vary slightly in regional dialects, with a soft 'bʲ' sound.

подсборщик: /pɐdˈsborʃʲik/

Note on подсборщик: Emphasize the 'sbor' syllable; the 'shʲ' sound is a palatalized 'sh', which may be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person who collects leftover grain or crops after harvesting, often in an agricultural or historical context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• собиратель - Used in formal, literary, or historical descriptions, emphasizing the act of gathering remnants.
• подсборщик - Applied in specific agricultural scenarios, such as traditional farming practices.

Usage Examples:

• В сельской местности фермеры часто нанимают собирателей для сбора оставшихся колосьев после уборки урожая.

  In rural areas, farmers often hire gleaners to collect the remaining ears of grain after the harvest.

• Подсборщики работали на полях, собирая зерно, которое упало во время жатвы, чтобы помочь бедным семьям.

  Gleaners worked in the fields, gathering grain that had fallen during the reaping, to help poor families.

• Старая русская традиция включала собирателей, которые искали пропущенные овощи в конце сезона.

  An old Russian tradition involved gleaners who searched for missed vegetables at the end of the season.

• В исторических текстах подсборщики описываются как важная часть сельскохозяйственного сообщества.

  In historical texts, gleaners are described as an important part of the agricultural community.

• Современные собиратели иногда используют современные инструменты для сбора остатков урожая на больших фермах.

  Modern gleaners sometimes use tools to gather harvest remnants on large farms.

Meaning 2: Figuratively, a person who collects or gathers information, ideas, or resources methodically (e.g., in research or journalism).

Translation(s) & Context:

• собиратель - Used metaphorically in intellectual or professional contexts, similar to "collector" in English.

Usage Examples:

• Журналист выступал в роли собирателя фактов, тщательно собирая данные для своей статьи.

  The journalist acted as a gleaner of facts, carefully gathering data for his article.

• Собиратель идей в команде помогал собирать творческие предложения от всех участников.

  The idea gleaner in the team helped collect creative suggestions from all participants.

• В библиотеке собиратель редких книг проводил часы, выбирая ценные экземпляры.

  In the library, the gleaner of rare books spent hours selecting valuable copies.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations ("собиратель" and "подсборщик") are masculine nouns in Russian, belonging to the first declension group. They follow standard patterns for animate masculine nouns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. "Собиратель" is more commonly used and has regular inflections, while "подсборщик" is similar but less frequent.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners, but always pay attention to case endings in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: сборщик (basic gatherer), жнец (reaper, with a focus on harvesting), коллекционер (collector, in a broader sense)
• Antonyms: расточитель (waster, one who squanders resources), разрушитель (destroyer)

Related Phrases:

• Сбор оставшегося урожая - Refers to the act of gleaning leftover crops, often in traditional farming.
• Собиратель фактов - A phrase for someone who gathers information meticulously, like a researcher.
• Подсборщики на поле - Describes gleaners working in the fields, highlighting agricultural labor.

Usage Notes:

"Собиратель" is the more versatile and formal translation for "gleaner," suitable for both literal and figurative uses, while "подсборщик" is best reserved for agricultural contexts. In Russian, these words often appear in historical or literary texts rather than casual speech. When using them, ensure the noun agrees with the sentence's case and number; for example, choose "собиратель" over "подсборщик" if discussing intellectual gathering to avoid confusion. English speakers might mistakenly equate it directly with "collector," but Russian nuances emphasize the aspect of remnants or leftovers.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "собиратель" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел собиратель" instead of "Я видел собирателя" (accusative case). Correct: "Я видел собирателя" – This happens because English doesn't have cases, so learners forget to adjust endings.

• Error: Confusing it with "сборщик," which is more general; learners might say "сборщик урожая" when "собиратель" implies the specific act of gleaning remnants. Correct usage: Use "собиратель" for post-harvest collection to maintain precision.

• Error: Overusing in modern contexts; for example, saying "Я собиратель информации" when a simpler phrase like "сборщик данных" might be more appropriate. Explanation: "Собиратель" has a slightly archaic feel, so reserve it for formal or historical discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a "gleaner" (e.g., "собиратель") is often tied to historical agricultural practices and themes in literature, such as in Tolstoy's works, where it symbolizes poverty and resourcefulness. It reflects traditional rural life in Russia, where gleaning was a way for the poor to survive, highlighting themes of community and hardship in Slavic folklore.

Related Concepts:

• жатва (harvest)
• урожай (crop)
• коллекционирование (collecting)