Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'grocer'

English Word: grocer

Key Russian Translations:

• бакалейщик [bəkɐˈlʲejʂʲik] - [Formal, used in historical or specific retail contexts]
• продавец продуктов [prəˈdavʲɛts prəˈduktəf] - [Informal, everyday usage for a grocery seller]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in modern everyday Russian; more frequent in literary or historical contexts.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level, as it involves understanding noun declensions and contextual vocabulary; for 'бакалейщик', it may be B2 due to its less common usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бакалейщик: [bəkɐˈlʲejʂʲik]

продавец продуктов: [prəˈdavʲɛts prəˈduktəf]

Note on бакалейщик: The 'щ' sound is a soft, palatalized fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like 'shch' in "fresh cheese". Pronounce with emphasis on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who owns or works in a shop selling food and household items (primary meaning).

Translation(s) & Context:

• бакалейщик - Used in formal, literary, or historical contexts, such as describing traditional shopkeepers in Russian literature.
• продавец продуктов - Common in everyday informal speech, especially in urban settings for modern grocery store employees.

Usage Examples:

• В маленьком городке бакалейщик знает всех своих клиентов по именам.

  In a small town, the grocer knows all his customers by name.

• Мой отец работал продавцом продуктов в местном магазине в 90-е годы.

  My father worked as a grocer in the local store in the 90s.

• Бакалейщик предложил свежие фрукты и овощи по выгодной цене.

  The grocer offered fresh fruits and vegetables at a good price.

• Сегодня продавец продуктов в супермаркете использует современные кассы.

  Today, the grocer in the supermarket uses modern cash registers.

• В старом фильме бакалейщик был центральным персонажем, символизирующим общинную жизнь.

  In the old film, the grocer was the central character, symbolizing community life.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Бакалейщик' is a masculine noun (second declension) and follows standard Russian noun patterns with regular inflections. 'Продавец продуктов' is a phrase where 'продавец' is also a masculine noun.

For 'бакалейщик' (singular):

For 'продавец' in 'продавец продуктов' (as it can stand alone):

These inflections are regular, with no irregularities. 'Продуктов' is genitive plural of 'продукт' and does not change in this fixed phrase.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • продавец (seller) - More general, often used interchangeably in modern contexts.
  • владелец магазина (shop owner) - Emphasizes ownership rather than daily selling.
• Antonyms:
  • покупатель (buyer) - Refers to the customer, opposite role in a transaction.

Related Phrases:

• Бакалейщик на рынке - A grocer at the market; refers to street vendors selling groceries outdoors.
• Продавец продуктов в супермаркете - Grocer in a supermarket; highlights modern retail environments.
• Маленький бакалейщик - Small grocer; used for family-owned shops, often with a connotation of community trust.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'grocer' doesn't have a single direct equivalent like in English; choose 'бакалейщик' for formal or historical accuracy, but 'продавец продуктов' for everyday conversations. Be mindful of context: 'бакалейщик' may sound outdated in urban settings, while 'продавец продуктов' is neutral and widely used. Grammatically, always decline nouns based on case (e.g., in prepositional phrases). For English learners, note that Russian often specifies the type of shop, so combine with words like 'продуктовый магазин' for clarity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'бакалейщик' in modern contexts where it sounds archaic. Correct: Opt for 'продавец продуктов' in casual speech. Example of error: "Я видел бакалейщика вчера" (when 'продавец продуктов' would be more natural). Explanation: This can make your Russian seem overly formal or literary.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun in sentences. Correct: Use genitive like 'у бакалейщика' instead of 'у бакалейщик'. Example of error: "Я купил от бакалейщик" (incorrect); Correct: "Я купил от бакалейщика". Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the 'бакалейщик' evokes images of pre-Soviet era small-town shopkeepers from 19th-century literature, like in works by Chekhov, symbolizing community and simplicity. Today, with the rise of supermarkets, this role has diminished, but it still represents nostalgia for traditional commerce in rural areas.

Related Concepts:

• магазин (shop)
• продукты (groceries)
• рынок (market)