Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'janitor'

English Word: janitor

Key Russian Translations:

• дворник /dvorˈnik/ - [Informal, Commonly used for building maintenance staff]
• уборщик /uˈborɕʲik/ - [Informal, Specifically for cleaning roles]
• консьерж /konˈsʲerʐ/ - [Formal, For concierge or doorman in upscale settings]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its variants are encountered in everyday conversations about maintenance and building services, but not as frequently as basic vocabulary like "дом" (house).

Difficulty: A2 - Beginner level; straightforward for English speakers to learn due to simple phonetics, though understanding context requires basic knowledge of Russian noun declensions.

Pronunciation (Russian):

дворник: /dvorˈnik/ - Stress on the second syllable; the "р" is rolled, and the final "к" is soft.

уборщик: /uˈborɕʲik/ - Stress on the second syllable; note the palatalized "щ" sound, which can be challenging for beginners.

консьерж: /konˈsʲerʐ/ - Stress on the second syllable; influenced by French loanwords, with a soft "ж" at the end.

Note on дворник: In some regional dialects, the pronunciation may vary slightly, such as a softer "р" in southern Russia.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A person responsible for cleaning, maintaining, or guarding a building.

Translation(s) & Context:

• дворник - Used in informal, everyday contexts for janitors in residential or public buildings, often implying outdoor maintenance.
• уборщик - Applied in contexts involving indoor cleaning, such as offices or schools.
• консьерж - Reserved for formal or professional settings, like hotels or apartment complexes, with additional security duties.

Usage Examples:

• Он работает дворником в нашем жилом комплексе и всегда поддерживает порядок. (He works as a janitor in our residential complex and always maintains order.)

  Translation: He works as a janitor in our residential complex and always maintains order. (Shows basic professional context.)

• Школьный уборщик ежедневно моет коридоры и классы. (The school janitor cleans the hallways and classrooms every day.)

  Translation: The school janitor cleans the hallways and classrooms every day. (Illustrates educational setting.)

• В отеле консьерж помогает гостям и следит за безопасностью. (In the hotel, the concierge assists guests and ensures security.)

  Translation: In the hotel, the concierge assists guests and ensures security. (Demonstrates formal, service-oriented use.)

• Дворник нашего дома ремонтирует забор каждое лето. (The janitor of our house repairs the fence every summer.)

  Translation: The janitor of our house repairs the fence every summer. (Highlights seasonal or maintenance tasks.)

• Если вы потеряли ключ, обратитесь к уборщику в вестибюле. (If you lost your key, ask the janitor in the lobby.)

  Translation: If you lost your key, ask the janitor in the lobby. (Shows interaction in a building context.)

Secondary Meaning: In some contexts, referring to a caretaker or watchman.

Translation(s) & Context:

• дворник - In rural or older contexts, implying a watchman role.

Usage Examples:

• В старом поместье дворник жил в отдельном домике и охранял имущество. (In the old estate, the janitor lived in a separate cottage and guarded the property.)

  Translation: In the old estate, the janitor lived in a separate cottage and guarded the property. (Emphasizes security aspect.)

• Консьерж в бизнес-центре проверяет удостоверения посетителей. (The concierge in the business center checks visitors' IDs.)

  Translation: The concierge in the business center checks visitors' IDs. (Extends to modern security roles.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These words are primarily nouns. In Russian, nouns change based on case, number, and gender. "Дворник" is a masculine noun of the second declension, while "уборщик" and "консьерж" follow similar patterns.

For "уборщик": Similar second declension pattern; irregular in plural forms due to softening. "Консьерж" is less inflected in modern usage and often remains unchanged in informal contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вахтер (/vaxˈtɛr/) - Watchman; often used interchangeably with дворник in security contexts.
  • сторож (/stoˈroʂ/) - Guard; implies more vigilance than basic maintenance.
• Antonyms:
  • житель (/ʐɨˈtʲelʲ/) - Resident; opposite in the sense of someone living in the building rather than maintaining it.
  • гость (/gosʲtʲ/) - Guest; contrasts with someone providing services.

Related Phrases:

• школьный дворник (school janitor) - Refers to maintenance staff in educational institutions; commonly used in daily life.
• дворник на телефоне (janitor on duty) - Implies a janitor who answers calls or handles emergencies.
• уборщик помещений (cleaner of premises) - A phrase for professional cleaning services; highlights specific tasks.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "дворник" directly corresponds to "janitor" in American English, focusing on building upkeep, while "уборщик" aligns more with "cleaner." Choose based on context: use "дворник" for general maintenance and "консьерж" in formal settings. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as these are masculine nouns. For plural forms, ensure proper declension to match the sentence structure.

• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; Russian often implies roles through context.
• In informal speech, these words may carry a neutral connotation, but in professional writing, specify duties for clarity.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "дворник" with "уборщик," using the former for indoor cleaning tasks. Incorrect: "Он уборщик в парке" (should be "дворник" for outdoor settings). Correct: "Он дворник в парке." Explanation: "Дворник" typically involves external areas, while "уборщик" is for interiors; misuse can lead to misunderstanding of responsibilities.

• Error: Forgetting declensions, e.g., saying "Я видел дворник" instead of "Я видел дворника." Correct: Use accusative case for direct objects.
• Error: Overusing "консьерж" in everyday contexts; it's formal, so in casual talk, stick to "дворник."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, a "дворник" often represents a community figure in apartment blocks, handling not just cleaning but also social interactions, reflecting the communal living traditions in Soviet-era housing. This role can carry historical connotations of reliability and neighborhood watch, differing from the more impersonal janitorial services in Western cities.

Related Concepts:

• сантехник (plumber)
• электрик (electrician)
• охранник (security guard)