Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'guard'

English Word: guard

Key Russian Translations:

• охранник [ɐxrɐˈnʲik] - [Formal, Noun, Used for security personnel or protective roles]
• охранять [ɐxrɐˈnʲatʲ] - [Informal/Neutral, Verb, Used in everyday contexts for protecting or watching over something]

Frequency: Medium - The word and its translations are commonly encountered in security, military, and daily protective contexts, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for охранник; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for охранять - Learners at B1 can grasp охранник with basic noun forms, while охранять requires understanding of verb conjugations and contexts.

Pronunciation (Russian):

охранник: [ɐxrɐˈnʲik]

Note on охранник: The stress falls on the second syllable; be cautious with the soft 'нʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronounce it with a slight palatalization.

охранять: [ɐxrɐˈnʲatʲ]

Note on охранять: This is a verb with a stressed second syllable; the final 'тʲ' is softened. Variations in informal speech may drop the final consonant slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person or thing that protects or watches over (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• охранник - Used in formal security contexts, such as at events, buildings, or borders; implies a professional role.

Usage Examples:

• Охранник проверяет документы у входа. (The guard checks documents at the entrance.)

  Translation: The guard checks documents at the entrance. (This example shows the noun in a security setting.)

• В музее всегда есть охранник, чтобы защитить экспонаты. (In the museum, there is always a guard to protect the exhibits.)

  Translation: In the museum, there is always a guard to protect the exhibits. (Illustrates use in a cultural or institutional context.)

• Охранник в аэропорту носит униформу. (The guard at the airport wears a uniform.)

  Translation: The guard at the airport wears a uniform. (Demonstrates everyday descriptive use.)

• Мой друг работает охранником в банке. (My friend works as a guard in the bank.)

  Translation: My friend works as a guard in the bank. (Shows possessive or professional context.)

• Охранник предотвратил кражу прошлой ночью. (The guard prevented a theft last night.)

  Translation: The guard prevented a theft last night. (Highlights action-oriented usage.)

Meaning 2: To protect or keep watch over (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• охранять - Used in both literal and figurative contexts, such as guarding property or ideas; can be formal or informal depending on the situation.

Usage Examples:

• Солдаты охраняют границу от вторжений. (The soldiers guard the border from invasions.)

  Translation: The soldiers guard the border from invasions. (This example shows the verb in a military context.)

• Родители должны охранять детей от опасности. (Parents should guard children from danger.)

  Translation: Parents should guard children from danger. (Illustrates familial or protective use.)

• Эта система охраняет данные от хакеров. (This system guards data from hackers.)

  Translation: This system guards data from hackers. (Demonstrates technological application.)

• Он охраняет секретные документы в офисе. (He guards secret documents in the office.)

  Translation: He guards secret documents in the office. (Shows imperative or ongoing action.)

• Мы должны охранять традиции нашей культуры. (We must guard the traditions of our culture.)

  Translation: We must guard the traditions of our culture. (Highlights figurative or cultural use.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For охранник (a masculine noun, 2nd declension):

This noun follows standard Russian noun declension patterns. It is invariable in the nominative singular but changes in other cases and numbers.

For охранять (a verb, imperfective aspect):

This is a first-conjugation verb with regular patterns. It conjugates based on tense, person, and number. Example in present tense:

Note: The perfective counterpart is охранить, which is used for completed actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • страж (strash) - More archaic, often used in literary contexts for a guard or watchman.
  • защитник (zashchitnik) - Emphasizes a defender role, with a slight heroic connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • нарушитель (narushitel) - Refers to a violator or intruder.
  • враг (vrag) - Means enemy, contrasting with protective roles.

Related Phrases:

• Охрана объектов (okhrana ob"yektov) - Security of objects; refers to guarding buildings or assets.
• Охранять покой (okhranyat pokoy) - To guard peace; a phrase used in contexts like maintaining tranquility.
• Под охраной (pod okhranoy) - Under guard; indicates something is protected.

Usage Notes:

The English word "guard" corresponds closely to охранник as a noun and охранять as a verb, but Russian often emphasizes context more explicitly. For instance, use охранник in professional settings and охранять for actions. Be mindful of aspect: охранять is imperfective (ongoing), while охранить is perfective (completed). In formal writing, prefer these over slang alternatives. When choosing between translations, select based on whether the context is nominal or verbal.

Common Errors:

• Confusing cases with охранник: English learners often use the nominative form in all contexts, e.g., saying "Я видел охранник" instead of "Я видел охранника" (genitive after "видел"). Correct usage: Always decline based on sentence role.
• Misconjugating охранять: Beginners might say "Я охранять дом" instead of "Я охраняю дом." Explanation: Verbs must be conjugated; use the first-person singular form for accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a "guard" (e.g., охранник) often ties to historical contexts like the Soviet-era security services or modern private security firms. Phrases like "охранять покой" can evoke themes of national defense, reflecting Russia's emphasis on protection against external threats in literature and media.

Related Concepts:

• безопасность (bezopasnost) - Safety or security.
• защита (zashchita) - Protection or defense.
• патруль (patrul) - Patrol, often involving guards.