Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'laureate'

English Word: laureate

Key Russian Translations:

• лауреат [laʊˈrʲeət] - [Formal, Used in academic or award contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary, scientific, and formal discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with borrowed words and cultural contexts in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

лауреат: [laʊˈrʲeət]

Note on лауреат: The stress falls on the third syllable; the 'рʲ' sound is a palatalized 'r', which can be challenging for non-native speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: A person who has been awarded a prize, especially in literature, science, or the arts (e.g., Nobel laureate)

Translation(s) & Context:

• лауреат - Used in formal contexts for individuals honored with prestigious awards, such as in academia or international competitions.

Usage Examples:

• Он является лауреатом Нобелевской премии по литературе.

  He is a Nobel laureate in literature.

• Молодая исследовательница стала лауреатом международного конкурса.

  The young researcher became an international laureate of the competition.

• Лауреат премии часто приглашается для выступлений на конференциях.

  A laureate of the award is often invited to speak at conferences.

• В этом году лауреатами были признаны несколько выдающихся ученых.

  This year, several outstanding scientists were recognized as laureates.

• Она, как лауреат, получила стипендию для дальнейших исследований.

  As a laureate, she received a scholarship for further research.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word "лауреат" is a masculine noun borrowed from Latin via English/French. It follows the standard patterns of Russian third-declension nouns with some irregularities due to its foreign origin.

Note: The word is invariant in gender (always masculine) and does not change in adjectival forms unless modified.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • обладатель премии (possessor of an award; more general term)
  • призёр (prize-winner; often used in sports contexts, with subtle differences in formality)
• Antonyms:
  • неудачник (failure; implies the opposite in achievement contexts)

Related Phrases:

• лауреат Нобелевской премии - Nobel laureate; used for the most prestigious awards in science and literature.
• национальный лауреат - National laureate; refers to awards given by a country, with a sense of patriotic recognition.
• лауреат премии "Оскар" - Oscar laureate; specific to film and entertainment industries.

Usage Notes:

"Лауреат" directly corresponds to the English "laureate" and is typically used in formal, professional, or academic settings. It emphasizes achievement and prestige, similar to English, but Russian speakers might prefer it in written contexts like articles or official documents. When choosing between translations, use "лауреат" for high-profile awards and "обладатель премии" for more general ones. Be mindful of grammatical agreement: it must align with Russian case systems in sentences.

• In informal speech, Russians might use simpler terms, so "лауреат" could sound overly formal in casual conversations.
• Always specify the award type (e.g., "Нобелевской премии") for clarity, as Russian often requires explicit context.

Common Errors:

One common mistake for English learners is confusing the genitive case, e.g., incorrectly saying "лауреат премия" instead of "лауреат премии" (genitive for "of the award"). Correct usage: "Он лауреат премии" should be "Он лауреат этой премии" to specify possession. Another error is overusing it in informal contexts; for example, learners might say "Я лауреат школьного конкурса" when a less formal term like "победитель" (winner) would be more appropriate. Explanation: Russian values context and register, so mismatched formality can make speech sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, being a "лауреат" often carries significant social status, especially for awards like the Nobel or state honors from the Soviet era. It reflects Russia's emphasis on intellectual and artistic achievements, with figures like Boris Pasternak (a Nobel laureate) symbolizing national pride and sometimes controversy due to historical censorship.

Related Concepts:

• премия (award)
• конкурс (competition)
• награда (prize)