Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lawyer'

English Word: lawyer

Key Russian Translations:

• адвокат [ɐdˈvokət] - [Formal, commonly used in legal contexts for a practicing attorney]
• юрист [ˈjʊrʲɪst] - [Formal, broader term for a legal professional, often in academic or general contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Frequently encountered in legal, business, and everyday discussions involving the justice system, but not as common in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR standards; requires basic understanding of legal terminology and noun declensions. For 'адвокат', it's straightforward; for 'юрист', it may vary slightly in nuance.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

адвокат: [ɐdˈvokət]

юрист: [ˈjʊrʲɪst]

Note on адвокат: The stress is on the second syllable ('vo'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'v' sound. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Note on юрист: The 'ю' is pronounced like 'yu' in "yurt," with a soft 'r' sound common in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A professional who practices law, provides legal advice, or represents clients in court.

Translation(s) & Context:

• адвокат - Typically used in formal legal settings, such as courtrooms or professional consultations, emphasizing courtroom representation.
• юрист - Used more broadly for legal experts in non-litigious contexts, like corporate law or academia, but can overlap with адвокат in everyday usage.

Usage Examples:

• Я нанял адвоката для защиты своих прав в суде.

  I hired a lawyer to defend my rights in court.

• Мой юрист помог составить контракт для бизнеса.

  My lawyer helped draft a contract for the business.

• В России адвокат должен иметь лицензию от коллегии адвокатов.

  In Russia, a lawyer must have a license from the bar association.

• Она работает юристом в крупной фирме, но иногда выступает в суде как адвокат.

  She works as a lawyer in a large firm but sometimes appears in court as an attorney.

• Если у вас проблемы с законом, обратитесь к опытному адвокату за советом.

  If you have issues with the law, consult an experienced lawyer for advice.

A lawyer in a metaphorical or informal sense, e.g., someone skilled in argumentation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• юрист - Informally used to describe someone clever in debates, but less common than адвокат for professional contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он настоящий юрист в спорах – всегда находит убедительные аргументы.

  He's a real lawyer in arguments – always finds convincing points.

• В семейных обсуждениях она выступает как адвокат, защищая свою позицию.

  In family discussions, she acts as a lawyer, defending her position.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'адвокат' and 'юрист' are masculine nouns in Russian, which undergo declension based on case, number, and gender agreements. 'Адвокат' is a third-declension noun with regular patterns, while 'юрист' follows standard first-declension rules for masculine nouns.

Note: These nouns do not change in the plural form as irregularly as some Russian words, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • адвокат – Similar to юрист, but more specific to trial lawyers.
  • правозащитник (human rights defender) – Used when emphasizing advocacy for rights.
  • юрисконсульт (legal consultant) – Often in business contexts, with a slight focus on consultation over litigation.
• Antonyms:
  • преступник (criminal) – Direct opposite in a legal context, implying someone who breaks the law.

Related Phrases:

• адвокат по гражданским делам – A lawyer specializing in civil cases; refers to expertise in non-criminal law.
• юрист компании – In-house lawyer; common in corporate environments for legal advice.
• защитник в суде – Defense attorney; emphasizes the role in courtroom defense, often interchangeable with адвокат.

Usage Notes:

Choose 'адвокат' for contexts involving courtroom representation, as it directly corresponds to the English 'lawyer' in legal proceedings. 'Юрист' is better for broader professional roles, like in academia or consulting, and may not always imply active litigation. Be mindful of formal register in Russian; both terms are neutral but can sound overly professional in casual speech. In Russian culture, lawyers often play a key role in bureaucratic processes, so usage might involve more administrative nuances than in English.

• Grammar note: Always ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs based on gender and case (e.g., "хороший адвокат" for "good lawyer").
• Context tip: In informal settings, Russians might use these terms interchangeably, but 'адвокат' is preferred in official documents.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'адвокат' with 'юрист', using 'юрист' in courtroom contexts where 'адвокат' is more appropriate. For example:

• Incorrect: "Я видел юриста в суде." (This implies a general legal expert, which might not fit if a trial lawyer is meant.)
• Correct: "Я видел адвоката в суде." (More precise for a lawyer in court.)
• Explanation: The error stems from overlapping meanings, but 'адвокат' specifically denotes bar-certified representation. Another common mistake is forgetting declensions, e.g., saying "с адвокат" instead of "с адвокатом" in the instrumental case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, the role of a lawyer (адвокат) is deeply tied to the Soviet-era legal system, where bar associations regulate the profession strictly. This can imply a sense of formality and state oversight, differing from Western models. For instance, 'адвокат' often carries connotations of defending individual rights against bureaucracy, reflecting historical contexts like the post-Soviet reforms.

Related Concepts:

• судья (judge)
• прокурор (prosecutor)
• правосудие (justice)