Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'husband'

English Word: husband

Key Russian Translations:

• муж [mʊʐ] - [Informal, Everyday use]
• супруг [suˈpruk] - [Formal, Official or legal contexts]

Frequency: High (This word is commonly used in daily conversations, literature, and media in Russian-speaking regions.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic vocabulary item; however, for 'супруг', it may be A2 due to its more formal connotations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

муж: [mʊʐ] (The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure' in English.)

супруг: [suˈpruk] (Stress on the second syllable; the 'у' is pronounced as a short 'u' sound.)

Note on муж: Be cautious with the soft 'ж' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers as it doesn't have a direct equivalent. Variations in regional accents may soften it further.

Note on супруг: In faster speech, the 'п' might be slightly aspirated; practice with native speakers for natural flow.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A married man considered in relation to his spouse.

Translation(s) & Context:

• муж - Used in informal, everyday situations, such as family discussions or casual conversations.
• супруг - Employed in formal contexts, like legal documents, official announcements, or polite introductions.

Usage Examples:

• Мой муж любит готовить ужин по вечерам.

  My husband likes to cook dinner in the evenings. (This example shows 'муж' in a possessive structure, highlighting daily family life.)

• Её супруг — успешный бизнесмен из Москвы.

  Her husband is a successful businessman from Moscow. (Here, 'супруг' is used in a formal descriptive context, emphasizing status.)

• Когда мой муж возвращается с работы, мы всегда обедаем вместе.

  When my husband returns from work, we always have lunch together. (Demonstrates 'муж' in a routine, temporal clause.)

• В официальных документах указано имя супруга.

  The husband's name is stated in the official documents. (Illustrates 'супруг' in a bureaucratic or legal setting.)

• Мой муж и я планируем поездку в Санкт-Петербург на выходные.

  My husband and I are planning a trip to Saint Petersburg for the weekend. (Shows 'муж' in a shared activity context, with coordination.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Муж' is a masculine noun of the first declension (third group in some classifications), which follows standard patterns for Russian nouns. It is invariable in the nominative singular but changes in other cases and numbers. 'Супруг' is also a masculine noun but follows a different pattern, being more regular.

Note: 'Муж' is often used in singular form and does not frequently pluralize in everyday language, as it specifically refers to one's own husband. 'Супруг' can be more flexibly pluralized in formal contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • супруг (more formal synonym, often used interchangeably but with a legal tone)
  • благоверный (informal or humorous, implying a devoted husband, with a slightly archaic or ironic connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • жена (wife)

Related Phrases:

• Мой муж (My husband) - A common possessive phrase used in personal introductions or stories.
• Супруг и супруга (Husband and wife) - Refers to a married couple in formal contexts, such as invitations or announcements.
• Верный муж (Faithful husband) - Implies loyalty, often in discussions about relationships.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'муж' is the most direct and everyday equivalent to 'husband' in English, but it's important to note its informal nature—use it in casual settings to avoid sounding overly distant. 'Супруг' aligns more closely with formal English equivalents like 'spouse' in official documents. Be mindful of gender-specific language in Russian; unlike English, Russian nouns have grammatical gender, so 'муж' is always masculine. When choosing between translations, opt for 'муж' in spoken language and 'супруг' in written or professional scenarios. Additionally, in Russian culture, these words may carry expectations of traditional family roles.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'муж' in formal contexts where 'супруг' is more appropriate, e.g., saying "Мой муж" in a legal document instead of "Мой супруг". Correct: "Мой супруг" – This mistake can make the language seem too casual for the setting.

• Error: Incorrectly inflecting the noun, such as using "муж" in the genitive case as "муж" instead of "мужа", e.g., "Книга моего муж" (wrong) vs. "Книга моего мужа" (correct). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always adjust based on sentence structure to avoid grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing 'муж' with 'мужчина' (man), leading to misuse like translating "husband" as 'мужчина' in marital contexts. Correct: Use 'муж' for the specific spousal relationship, as 'мужчина' is more general.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of 'муж' often evokes traditional family values rooted in historical and literary traditions, such as those depicted in classic works by Tolstoy or Chekhov. It can carry connotations of provider or head of the household, influenced by past societal norms, though modern usage is evolving with gender equality movements.

Related Concepts:

• жена (wife)
• семья (family)
• брак (marriage)