Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'interlocutor'

English Word: interlocutor

Key Russian Translations:

• собеседник /sɐbʲɪˈsʲedʲnʲik/ - [Formal, used in conversations or discussions]
• интерлокутор /ɪnʲtʲɛr.ləˈku.tər/ - [Rare, borrowed term, Informal, used in academic or translated contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, formal discussions, and media, but not in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of noun declensions and formal vocabulary; for "собеседник", it's B2, while "интерлокутор" might be C1 due to its rarity)

Pronunciation (Russian):

собеседник: /sɐbʲɪˈsʲedʲnʲik/

интерлокутор: /ɪnʲtʲɛr.ləˈku.tər/

Note on собеседник: The stress is on the third syllable ("sʲedʲ"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants; variations in informal speech may soften the pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: A person engaged in a conversation or dialogue.

Translation(s) & Context:

• собеседник - Used in formal or literary contexts to refer to someone participating in a discussion, such as in debates or interviews.
• интерлокутор - Applied in specialized contexts like philosophy or translations, emphasizing a more interactive role.

Usage Examples:

• В интересном разговоре каждый собеседник делится своими мыслями.

  In an interesting conversation, each interlocutor shares their thoughts.

• Собеседник в теледебатах должен быть подготовленным и аргументированным.

  The interlocutor in TV debates must be prepared and argumentative.

• Интерлокутор в философском диалоге помогает раскрывать глубокие идеи.

  The interlocutor in a philosophical dialogue helps to uncover profound ideas.

• Без хорошего собеседника встреча может показаться скучной.

  Without a good interlocutor, the meeting might seem boring.

• В онлайн-форумах каждый интерлокутор имеет возможность высказаться.

  In online forums, every interlocutor has the opportunity to speak out.

Secondary meaning: In broader contexts, referring to an opponent or counterpart in a debate.

Translation(s) & Context:

• собеседник - Often used in argumentative settings, such as legal or political discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Собеседник в суде представил убедительные аргументы.

  The interlocutor in court presented convincing arguments.

• В споре собеседник должен уважать мнение оппонента.

  In a debate, the interlocutor should respect the opponent's opinion.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"собеседник" is a masculine noun (2nd declension) and follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns. It changes based on case and number. "интерлокутор" is less common and typically does not inflect regularly due to its borrowed nature, often remaining unchanged in informal use.

For "интерлокутор", it is invariant in most cases: e.g., интерлокутор (nominative), but may adopt patterns in formal writing.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • разговорщик (more casual, implies a talkative person)
  • дискутант (formal, specific to debates)
• Antonyms:
  • молчальник (a silent person, opposite in conversational contexts)
  • слушатель (listener, contrasting with an active speaker)

Related Phrases:

• Вести диалог с собеседником - To engage in dialogue with an interlocutor (used for starting or maintaining a conversation).
• Собеседник по телефону - Interlocutor on the phone (common in communication scenarios).
• Найти хорошего собеседника - To find a good interlocutor (implies seeking engaging company).

Usage Notes:

"Собеседник" is the most direct and idiomatic translation for "interlocutor" in Russian, especially in formal or literary contexts, while "интерлокутор" is a direct borrowing and less common. Use "собеседник" in everyday Russian to avoid sounding overly academic. Be mindful of noun declensions when constructing sentences, as Russian requires agreement in case, number, and gender. For English speakers, note that "interlocutor" often implies equality in dialogue, which "собеседник" conveys well, but choose based on context—formal for debates, informal for general talks.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "собеседник" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я говорю с собеседник" instead of "Я говорю с собеседником" (genitive case required after prepositions like "с").

  Correct: Я говорю с собеседником. Explanation: Russian prepositions dictate case changes, which English lacks, so learners must memorize patterns.

• Error: Confusing "собеседник" with "собеседница" (feminine form), e.g., using it for a female speaker when the gender doesn't match.

  Correct: Use "собеседница" for females. Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, unlike English, so adjust based on the subject's gender.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of an "interlocutor" like "собеседник" emphasizes the value of dialogue in literature and philosophy, as seen in works by authors like Dostoevsky, where conversations drive character development. It reflects a tradition of intellectual exchange in social settings, such as in tea discussions or public debates, highlighting the importance of mutual respect in communication.

Related Concepts:

• диалог (dialogue)
• обсуждение (discussion)
• спорщик (debater)