Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'inmate'

English Word: inmate

Key Russian Translations:

• заключённый [zəklʲʊˈt͡ɕonːɨj] - [Formal, commonly used in legal and official contexts]
• узник [ˈuznʲɪk] - [Literary or Formal, often in historical or poetic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in legal, news, and everyday discussions about institutions, but not in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding noun declensions and formal vocabulary; for 'узник', it may lean towards B2 due to its literary nuances)

Pronunciation (Russian):

заключённый: [zəklʲʊˈt͡ɕonːɨj]

Note on заключённый: The stress falls on the third syllable ("t͡ɕon"), and the soft sign (ь) affects the preceding consonant's pronunciation, making it softer. Be cautious with the palatalized 'л' sound.

узник: [ˈuznʲɪk]

Note on узник: The initial 'у' is pronounced as a short vowel, and the stress is on the first syllable; this word has a more archaic feel in modern speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A person confined to an institution, such as a prison or mental health facility.

Translation(s) & Context:

• заключённый - Used in formal or official settings, such as legal documents or news reports, to refer to someone imprisoned.
• узник - Employed in literary, historical, or metaphorical contexts, often implying a sense of captivity or oppression.

Usage Examples:

• В тюрьме содержится много заключённых, которые ожидают суда.

  In the prison, there are many inmates who are awaiting trial. (This example shows the word in a formal institutional context.)

• Заключённый был освобождён после доказательства его невиновности.

  The inmate was released after proving his innocence. (Illustrates the word in a legal resolution scenario.)

• Этот узник истории боролся за свободу своей страны.

  This historical inmate fought for the freedom of his country. (Demonstrates a metaphorical or literary use.)

• В психиатрической клинике работают с заключёнными, нуждающимися в лечении.

  In the psychiatric clinic, they work with inmates who need treatment. (Shows application in a non-prison institutional setting.)

• Узник этой системы чувствует себя отрезанным от мира.

  This inmate of the system feels cut off from the world. (Highlights a figurative use in social commentary.)

Secondary Meaning: A resident of a shared living institution, like a monastery (less common in modern English usage).

Translation(s) & Context:

• узник - In rare cases, used metaphorically for someone in a restrictive environment, like a monk in a monastery.

Usage Examples:

• Узник монастыря провёл всю жизнь в молитвах и размышлениях.

  The inmate of the monastery spent his entire life in prayers and reflections. (This example extends the word to a religious context.)

• В старых хрониках упоминаются узники обителей, живущие в уединении.

  In old chronicles, inmates of monasteries are mentioned, living in seclusion. (Shows historical usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are masculine nouns in Russian, which undergo declension based on case, number, and gender. 'Заключённый' is a regular first-declension noun, while 'узник' follows standard patterns but can vary in literary contexts.

Note: These nouns do not change for gender but follow standard patterns; irregularities are minimal.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • арестант (more specific to those under arrest, often in historical contexts)
  • зэковец (slang for prisoner, informal and regional)
• Antonyms:
  • свободный (free person, general opposite)
  • освобождённый (released or freed individual)

Related Phrases:

• Заключённый в тюрьме - Imprisoned inmate (used in legal contexts to specify location).
• Политический узник - Political prisoner (refers to someone detained for political reasons, with strong connotations in Russian history).
• Узник совести - Prisoner of conscience (a phrase from human rights discourse, implying ideological captivity).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'заключённый' is the most direct and formal equivalent to 'inmate' in prison contexts, while 'узник' carries a more emotional or literary weight. Choose 'заключённый' for everyday or official discussions to match the neutral tone of English 'inmate'. Be mindful of declensions based on sentence structure, as Russian requires agreement in case. This word is rarely used in informal speech; opt for it in written or professional settings. When multiple translations exist, 'заключённый' is preferable for modern usage due to its precision.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'пациент' (patient) interchangeably with 'inmate' in prison contexts. Correct: заключённый (inmate in prison). Explanation: 'Пациент' refers to someone in a hospital, leading to confusion in institutional settings.
• Mistake: Forgetting to decline the noun, e.g., saying "в заключённый" instead of "в заключённом". Correct: Use the prepositional case as needed. Explanation: Russian nouns must agree with prepositions and cases, unlike English, which can result in grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'узник' often evoke historical references to the Soviet gulag system or political prisoners, such as those during Stalin's era. This adds a layer of sensitivity, where 'inmate' might imply not just confinement but also themes of injustice or resilience in Russian literature and media.

Related Concepts:

• тюрьма (prison)
• арест (arrest)
• освобождение (release)