Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'guardian'

English Word: guardian

Key Russian Translations:

• защитник [zɐʂˈʲtʲɪtnʲɪk] - [Formal, used for a protector or defender]
• опекун [ɐˈpʲekʊn] - [Legal context, such as a legal guardian for minors]
• охранник [ɐˈxranʲɪk] - [Informal, referring to a security guard or watchman]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday language, literature, and legal documents, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR standards; requires understanding of context and basic noun inflections; for 'опекун', it may be B2 due to legal nuances)

Pronunciation (Russian):

защитник: [zɐʂˈʲtʲɪtnʲɪk]

Note on защитник: The 'щ' sound is a soft, palatalized 'sh' (like in 'fresh cheese'), which can be challenging for English speakers; stress is on the second syllable.

опекун: [ɐˈpʲekʊn]

Note on опекун: The 'пʲ' is a palatalized 'p', similar to 'p' in 'pew'; stress is on the second syllable, and the word ends with a soft consonant.

охранник: [ɐˈxranʲɪk]

Note on охранник: The 'х' is a guttural 'kh' sound, like in Scottish 'loch'; stress is on the second syllable, and it has a diminutive feel in informal use.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A person who protects or defends someone or something (e.g., a guardian angel or protector).

Translation(s) & Context:

• защитник - Used in formal, literary, or metaphorical contexts, such as protecting rights or ideas.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда был защитником слабых в обществе.

  He has always been a guardian of the weak in society.

• В фильме главный герой выступает как защитник справедливости.

  In the movie, the main character acts as a guardian of justice.

• Эта организация является защитником окружающей среды.

  This organization is a guardian of the environment.

• Родители часто выступают защитниками своих детей.

  Parents often act as guardians of their children.

2. A legal guardian, such as for a child or dependent (e.g., in family law).

Translation(s) & Context:

• опекун - Primarily used in legal or official contexts, such as court-appointed roles.

Usage Examples:

• Суд назначил опекуна для сироты.

  The court appointed a guardian for the orphan.

• Опекун отвечает за образование и благополучие подопечного.

  The guardian is responsible for the education and well-being of the ward.

• В случае развода родители могут стать опекунами детей.

  In case of divorce, parents may become guardians of the children.

• Опекун должен предоставлять отчеты о расходах.

  The guardian must provide reports on expenditures.

3. A security guard or watchman (e.g., at a building or event).

Translation(s) & Context:

• охранник - Informal, everyday use for security personnel.

Usage Examples:

• Охранник проверяет документы у входа.

  The guardian checks documents at the entrance.

• В музее работает несколько охранников.

  Several guardians work at the museum.

• Охранник патрулирует территорию ночью.

  The guardian patrols the area at night.

• Этот охранник известен своей бдительностью.

  This guardian is known for his vigilance.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are masculine nouns and follow standard Russian inflection patterns for first-declension nouns. They exhibit changes in cases, numbers, and sometimes stress shifts. Below is a table for 'защитник' as an example; similar patterns apply to 'опекун' and 'охранник' with minor variations.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	защитник	защитники
Genitive	защитника	защитников
Dative	защитнику	защитникам
Accusative	защитника	защитников
Instrumental	защитником	защитниками
Prepositional	защитнике	защитниках

For 'опекун' and 'охранник', the inflections are regular but may vary slightly in stress (e.g., 'охранника' in genitive). These nouns do not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: покровитель (patron, with a sense of benevolence), хранитель (keeper, emphasizing preservation)
• Antonyms: разрушитель (destroyer), враг (enemy)

Note: 'Покровитель' often implies a more authoritative or benevolent role, while 'хранитель' focuses on safeguarding heritage.

Related Phrases:

• Под защитой - Under protection (used in contexts of safety or legal safeguarding).
• Охрана объекта - Guarding of an object (common in security contexts).
• Опекунство над ребенком - Guardianship over a child (legal phrase for parental roles).

Usage Notes:

The choice of translation depends on context: use 'защитник' for general protection or metaphorical senses, 'опекун' for legal matters, and 'охранник' for security roles. In Russian, these nouns are gendered masculine, so they agree with adjectives and verbs accordingly. Be cautious with formality—'охранник' is neutral but informal, while 'защитник' suits written or elevated speech. English users should note that Russian often requires case agreement, e.g., in prepositional phrases.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'защитник' interchangeably with 'охранник' in security contexts. Correct: 'Охранник' is specific to physical guarding, while 'защитник' is broader. Example of error: *Он является охранником прав* (incorrect mixing). Correct: Он является защитником прав.

• Error: Forgetting noun inflections, e.g., saying *Я видел защитник* instead of *Я видел защитника* (accusative case). Explanation: Russian nouns change based on grammatical role, so always adjust for case to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a 'guardian' often ties to historical themes like the 'защитник Отечества' (Defender of the Fatherland), celebrated on February 23rd as a national holiday honoring military protectors. This reflects a deep cultural emphasis on patriotism and defense, influencing how words like 'защитник' carry emotional or heroic connotations beyond literal meanings.

Related Concepts:

• покровитель
• хранитель
• заступник