Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'kinsman'

English Word: kinsman

Key Russian Translations:

• родственник [rɐdˈstvʲɪnʲɪk] - [Formal, Masculine noun, Used in general contexts for male relatives]
• родной [rɐˈdnoj] - [Informal, Adjective form, Used when emphasizing blood relations]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations about family, but not as frequent as basic words like "family")

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and gender, but accessible to learners with basic grammar knowledge. For "родственник," it's B1; for "родной," it's A2 as an adjective.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

родственник: [rɐdˈstvʲɪnʲɪk]

Note on родственник: The stress falls on the second syllable ("stvʲ"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's variable stress patterns. Be careful with the palatalized 'т' sound.

родной: [rɐˈdnoj]

Note on родной: This is a simpler pronunciation, with stress on the first syllable, but ensure the 'o' is pronounced as a mid-back vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A male relative, often implying a blood or family connection.

Translation(s) & Context:

• родственник - Used in formal or neutral contexts to refer to a male family member, such as a cousin or uncle, in everyday or official discussions.
• родной - Used informally to emphasize a close, blood-related kinsman, like a brother or father, often in emotional or familial settings.

Usage Examples:

• Мой родственник часто посещает нас по выходным.

  My kinsman often visits us on weekends.

• У него есть дальний родственник в Сибири.

  He has a distant kinsman in Siberia.

• Родной брат — это самый близкий родственник.

  A blood brother is the closest kinsman.

• Я встретил старого родственника на семейном собрании.

  I met an old kinsman at the family gathering.

• Его родной дядя помог ему в трудную минуту.

  His blood kinsman (uncle) helped him in a difficult time.

Meaning: A male family member in a broader social or historical context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• родственник - Applied in literary or historical contexts, such as referring to ancestors or tribal members.
• родной - Less common here, but can imply innate or cultural ties in stories or folklore.

Usage Examples:

• В русской истории родственник царя имел большое влияние.

  In Russian history, the kinsman of the tsar had great influence.

• Его родственник эмигрировал в Америку в XIX веке.

  His kinsman emigrated to America in the 19th century.

• Родной человек из рода всегда поддержит в беде.

  A blood kinsman from the clan will always support in trouble.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are Russian nouns or adjectives with specific inflections. "Родственник" is a masculine noun of the third declension, which follows standard patterns for most masculine nouns ending in a consonant. It changes based on case and number. "Родной" is an adjective that agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies.

Note: "Родной" as an adjective changes based on the noun's gender (e.g., родная for feminine). These are regular inflections, making them straightforward once basic rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • родной (emphasizes blood ties, often more emotional)
  • свой (implies "one of our own," used in informal or group contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • незнакомец (stranger, no family connection)
  • чужой (outsider or unrelated person)

Related Phrases:

• Ближний родственник - Close kinsman; Used to describe immediate family members in personal or legal contexts.
• Дальний родственник - Distant kinsman; Refers to extended family, like second cousins, in genealogical discussions.
• По линии родственников - Through kinsman lines; Implies inheritance or family heritage in historical narratives.

Usage Notes:

"Kinsman" translates most directly to "родственник" in formal English-Russian contexts, but choose "родной" for more intimate or blood-specific meanings. Be aware of Russian's grammatical gender: "родственник" is masculine, so it may need adjustment if referring to a female (e.g., "родственница"). In casual speech, Russians often use these words in family discussions or stories. When selecting between translations, consider the context—formal vs. informal—to avoid mismatches. Always ensure adjectives like "родной" agree with the noun in case and gender.

• Use "родственник" in official documents or neutral conversations.
• Avoid overusing in modern contexts where "друг" (friend) might be confused, as family ties are culturally emphasized in Russia.

Common Errors:

English learners often mistake "родственник" for a gender-neutral term, leading to incorrect usage with female relatives (e.g., saying "родственник" for a female cousin instead of "родственница"). Error: "Моя родственник" (incorrect feminine use). Correct: "Моя родственница". Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, so always check and adjust endings. Another error is confusing it with "друг" (friend); learners might say "Мой друг" when meaning kinsman, which dilutes the family connotation. Correct usage: Specify "родственник" for clarity in family contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a kinsman like "родственник" holds significant importance, reflecting strong family bonds and traditions. Family gatherings (e.g., during holidays like New Year's) often involve extended relatives, and words like this emphasize communal ties. Historically, in Russian literature and folklore, kinsmen play key roles in themes of loyalty and heritage, as seen in works by Tolstoy or folk tales.

Related Concepts:

• семья (family)
• род (clan or lineage)
• племянник (nephew, a specific type of kinsman)