Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hooligan'

English Word: hooligan

Key Russian Translations:

• хулиган [kʊˈlʲiɡən] - [Informal; often used in everyday contexts to describe rowdy or disruptive behavior]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly encountered in modern Russian media, literature, and conversation, especially in urban or social contexts, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; as a borrowed word from English, it is straightforward for learners to recognize, but mastering its pronunciation and declensions requires familiarity with Russian phonetics and grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

хулиган: [kʊˈlʲiɡən]

Note on хулиган: The stress falls on the second syllable ("li"), and the "х" is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the "ch" in Scottish "loch." Be mindful of the soft sign "ь" in "лʲ," which palatalizes the "l" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who engages in rowdy, disruptive, or vandalism behavior, often in a public setting.

Translation(s) & Context:

• хулиган - Used in informal or neutral contexts to describe someone causing mischief or trouble, such as in sports events or street incidents.

Usage Examples:

• Он часто устраивает драки на улице — типичный хулиган.

  He often starts fights on the street — a typical hooligan.

• Группа хулиганов разбила окна в парке ночью.

  A group of hooligans broke the windows in the park at night.

• Молодой хулиган был пойман полицией за вандализм.

  The young hooligan was caught by the police for vandalism.

• В футболе хулиганы иногда провоцируют беспорядки на трибунах.

  In football, hooligans sometimes provoke riots in the stands.

• Её сын превратился в хулигана после проблем в школе.

  Her son turned into a hooligan after having issues at school.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word "хулиган" is a masculine noun of the second declension in Russian. It follows standard noun declension patterns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • бандит (bandit; implies more criminal activity)
  • вандал (vandal; focuses on destruction of property)
  • дебошир (rowdy person; often used for someone causing public disturbances)
• Antonyms:
  • законопослушный (law-abiding; describes someone who follows rules)
  • мирный (peaceful; suggests a non-violent nature)

Related Phrases:

• Молодой хулиган (Young hooligan; Refers to a juvenile engaging in mischievous behavior.)
• Футбольный хулиган (Football hooligan; Common in the context of sports-related violence.)
• Хулиганские выходки (Hooligan antics; Describes playful but disruptive actions.)

Usage Notes:

"Хулиган" is a direct borrowing from English and is widely used in Russian to mirror the concept of a 'hooligan,' often with a connotation of youthful mischief or antisocial behavior. It is most appropriate in informal or neutral settings, such as news reports or casual conversations, but avoid it in formal writing. When choosing between synonyms like 'бандит' or 'вандал,' select based on the severity of the behavior—'хулиган' is less intense than 'бандит.' Grammatically, remember its masculine gender and standard declensions for accurate sentence construction.

Common Errors:

• Mispronouncing the word: Learners often say [xʊˈliɡan] instead of the correct [kʊˈlʲiɡən], omitting the palatalized 'лʲ.' Correct usage: Practice the soft 'л' sound to avoid sounding unnatural. Example of error: Saying "хулиган" as if it were "hooligan" in English; Correct: [kʊˈlʲiɡən].
• Using it in the wrong gender or case: Since it's masculine, don't treat it as feminine. Error: "Хулиганка" (incorrectly feminizing it); Correct: For a female, use "хулиганка" if needed, but it's not standard—stick to context. Example: Error sentence: "Она хулиганка" (implying a female form incorrectly); Correct: "Она — хулиган" (using the masculine form neutrally).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "хулиган" often evokes images of football (soccer) hooliganism, which has been a significant issue in Russia, particularly during major events like the World Cup. This term carries a historical connotation from the early 20th century, influenced by British hooligan culture, and is frequently used in media to discuss social disorder, reflecting broader themes of youth rebellion and public safety concerns.

Related Concepts:

• преступник (criminal)
• вандализм (vandalism)
• дебош (brawl)