Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'handgun'

English Word: handgun

Key Russian Translations:

• пистолет /pʲɪˈstolʲɪt/ - [Formal, commonly used in standard contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is encountered in everyday language, especially in discussions about firearms, law enforcement, or history, but not as common as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can understand and use the word in context, but it requires familiarity with noun declensions and thematic vocabulary.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пистолет: /pʲɪˈstolʲɪt/

Note on пистолет: The initial 'п' is pronounced with slight aspiration, and the 'л' is palatalized, which is common in Russian nouns. Pay attention to the stress on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A small firearm designed to be held and operated with one hand.

Translation(s) & Context:

• пистолет - Used in formal, legal, or descriptive contexts, such as discussing weapons in history, crime, or self-defense.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: В музее есть коллекция старинных пистолетов. (In the museum, there is a collection of antique handguns.)

  English Translation: In the museum, there is a collection of antique handguns.

• Русский: Полиция конфисковала нелегальный пистолет у подозреваемого. (The police confiscated an illegal handgun from the suspect.)

  English Translation: The police confiscated an illegal handgun from the suspect.

• Русский: В фильме герой использовал пистолет для самообороны. (In the movie, the hero used a handgun for self-defense.)

  English Translation: In the movie, the hero used a handgun for self-defense.

• Русский: Он носит пистолет на работе как охранник. (He carries a handgun at work as a security guard.)

  English Translation: He carries a handgun at work as a security guard.

• Русский: Пистолет был заряжен, но не использован. (The handgun was loaded but not used.)

  English Translation: The handgun was loaded but not used.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Пистолет" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows regular patterns for most cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

Note: The word is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: револьвер (revolver; implies a specific type with a revolving cylinder), огнестрельное оружие (firearm; more general term)
• Antonyms: нож (knife; a non-firearm weapon), дубинка (club; a blunt weapon)

Related Phrases:

• Загруженный пистолет - A loaded handgun; used in contexts involving danger or readiness.
• Пистолет с глушителем - Handgun with a silencer; common in spy or action scenarios.
• Нелегальный пистолет - Illegal handgun; often discussed in legal or crime-related contexts.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "пистолет" directly corresponds to "handgun" in English but is more commonly used for pistols rather than revolvers. It is neutral in tone but can carry formal or serious connotations, especially in legal, military, or safety discussions. When choosing between translations, use "пистолет" for compact hand-held firearms; for broader terms, opt for "огнестрельное оружие." Be mindful of grammar: always decline the noun based on its case in the sentence, e.g., "с пистолетом" (with a handgun). In informal speech, it might be avoided in everyday conversation due to sensitivity around weapons.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "пистолет" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я имею пистолет" instead of "Я имею пистолет" (correct, but if in genitive context, it should be "пистолета").
  Correct: В моем шкафу лежит пистолет (In my cupboard, there is a handgun).
  Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case; failing to do so can make the sentence grammatically incorrect.
• Error: Confusing with "револьвер" and using it interchangeably.
  Correct: Use "пистолет" for semi-automatic handguns and "револьвер" for revolvers.
  Explanation: These are not exact synonyms; misuse can lead to inaccuracy in descriptions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "пистолет" often evokes themes from literature, history, and modern media, such as in war stories or crime novels (e.g., in works by Tolstoy or contemporary thrillers). Due to Russia's history with firearms in conflicts like World War II, the word can carry a weighty connotation related to defense and survival, rather than casual ownership as in some Western contexts.

Related Concepts:

• оружие
• патроны
• самооборона