Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'housebreaker'

English Word: housebreaker

Key Russian Translations:

• взломщик [vzɫɐˈmʃʲik] - [Informal, often used in everyday crime contexts]
• грабитель [ɡrɐˈbʲitʲilʲ] - [Formal, broader term for a robber]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in legal or crime-related discussions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and context-specific vocabulary. For 'взломщик', it's B2; for 'грабитель', it's B1.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

взломщик: [vzɫɐˈmʃʲik]

грабитель: [ɡrɐˈbʲitʲilʲ]

Note on взломщик: The 'щ' sound is a soft, palatalized 'sh' which can be challenging for beginners; it's pronounced like 'shch' in "fresh cheese".

Note on грабитель: Stress on the third syllable; ensure the 'и' is short and crisp.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A person who illegally enters a house to steal or commit a crime.

Translation(s) & Context:

• взломщик - Used in informal or narrative contexts, such as describing burglaries in news or stories.
• грабитель - Applied in more formal or legal settings, emphasizing robbery with potential violence.

Usage Examples:

• Взломщик проник в дом через окно и украл ювелирные изделия.

  The housebreaker entered the house through the window and stole jewelry.

• Полиция арестовала грабителя, который был замечен в районе.

  The police arrested the housebreaker who was spotted in the area.

• Взломщик использовал отмычку, чтобы открыть дверь.

  The housebreaker used a lockpick to open the door.

• Грабитель угрожал владельцу дома, требуя деньги.

  The housebreaker threatened the homeowner, demanding money.

• Соседи сообщили о подозрительном взломщике, бродившем по улице.

  The neighbors reported a suspicious housebreaker wandering the street.

Secondary Meaning: Figurative use, such as someone who invades privacy or disrupts security (less common).

Translation(s) & Context:

• взломщик - In metaphorical contexts, e.g., in cybersecurity or personal invasions.

Usage Examples:

• Хакер- взломщик проник в систему банка.

  The hacker-housebreaker breached the bank's system.

• Этот журналист – настоящий грабитель личной жизни знаменитостей.

  This journalist is a real housebreaker of celebrities' private lives.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'взломщик' and 'грабитель' are masculine nouns in Russian and follow standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. 'Взломщик' is a common noun that changes based on case and number, while 'грабитель' has similar but slightly irregular features in plural forms.

Note: These nouns do not change in gender but must agree with adjectives and verbs in case and number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: вор (thief; more general), налетчик (raider; implies sudden attack)
• Antonyms: охраник (guard; someone who protects), защитник (defender; emphasizes security)

Related Phrases:

• взлом с взломом - Breaking and entering; used in legal contexts to describe unauthorized entry.
• грабительский налет - Robbery raid; refers to a sudden criminal attack on a property.
• защититься от взломщика - To protect against a housebreaker; common in security advice.

Usage Notes:

'Housebreaker' directly corresponds to 'взломщик' in informal Russian, but 'грабитель' may imply more violence, so choose based on context. These words are typically used in singular form in narratives, and they must agree in case with surrounding words. In formal writing, such as police reports, opt for 'грабитель'. Avoid using in polite conversation due to negative connotations.

• Grammar note: Always use the correct case; for example, in "преследование взломщика" (pursuit of the housebreaker), it's genitive.
• Context guide: 'Взломщик' is preferred in urban crime stories, while 'грабитель' suits historical or dramatic contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'взломщик' in formal legal documents instead of 'грабитель'. Correct: In official reports, say "грабитель" for precision. Explanation: 'Взломщик' sounds too casual and may not convey the full legal weight.
• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., saying "с взломщик" instead of "с взломщиком". Correct: "с взломщиком" (instrumental case). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English learners often overlook, leading to grammatical errors.
• Error: Confusing with 'вор' (thief), assuming they are identical. Correct: 'Взломщик' specifically implies breaking in, while 'вор' is broader. Explanation: This can dilute the meaning; use the exact term for accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'взломщик' often appear in literature and media reflecting historical crime waves, such as in 19th-century novels by Dostoevsky, where burglary symbolizes social unrest. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on community vigilance and the impact of economic disparities on crime.

Related Concepts:

• полиция (police)
• ограбление (robbery)
• сигнализация (alarm system)