Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lieutenant'

English Word: lieutenant

Key Russian Translations:

• лейтенант [lʲɪj.tʲɪˈnant] - [Formal, Military context; Used specifically for military and naval ranks equivalent to lieutenant in English-speaking forces]

Frequency: Medium (Common in military, historical, or formal contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation; appears in literature, news, and official documents)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1/B2 according to CEFR; Requires familiarity with military terminology and basic noun declensions in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

лейтенант: [lʲɪj.tʲɪˈnant]

Note on лейтенант: The stress falls on the third syllable ("nant"). Be mindful of the soft "л" sound, which is palatalized in Russian, making it distinct from English pronunciation. Variations may occur in dialects, but standard Russian uses this IPA.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Military rank equivalent to lieutenant

Translation(s) & Context:

• лейтенант - Refers to a junior officer rank in the Russian military, similar to lieutenant in NATO forces; Commonly used in formal, professional, or historical contexts involving armed services.

Usage Examples:

• Он был произведен в лейтенанты за храбрость в бою.

  He was promoted to lieutenant for bravery in battle. (This example shows the word in a nominative context, emphasizing achievement in a military setting.)

• Лейтенант Иванов командовал ротой во время маневров.

  Lieutenant Ivanov commanded the company during maneuvers. (Illustrates usage in a descriptive sentence, highlighting the role in operational contexts.)

• В армии она достигла звания лейтенанта к 25 годам.

  In the army, she reached the rank of lieutenant by age 25. (Demonstrates the word with feminine subjects, as Russian nouns agree in gender.)

• Лейтенант, доложите о ситуации на фронте!

  Lieutenant, report on the situation at the front! (Shows imperative usage in a direct command, common in military dialogues.)

• После войны многие лейтенанты перешли в гражданскую службу.

  After the war, many lieutenants transitioned to civilian service. (This example uses the plural form in a historical or transitional context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Лейтенант" is a masculine noun (third declension in Russian). It follows standard first-declension patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners, but always ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs based on gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • офицер (ofitser) - A broader term for officer; Less specific than лейтенант but used in general military contexts.
  • младший офицер (mladshiy ofitser) - Junior officer; Implies a similar rank but with a focus on hierarchy.
• Antonyms:
  • капитан (kapitan) - Captain; A higher rank, often used in contrast for promotion discussions.
  • рядовой (ryadovoy) - Private; A lower enlisted rank, highlighting the officer-enlisted divide.

Related Phrases:

• младший лейтенант - Junior lieutenant; Refers to a lower sub-rank, often used in military hierarchies. (Common in contexts discussing early career officers.)
• старший лейтенант - Senior lieutenant; Indicates a promoted rank above basic lieutenant. (Used to show career progression in armed forces.)
• лейтенант флота - Naval lieutenant; Specifies the rank in the navy. (Important for distinguishing between army and naval contexts.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "лейтенант" directly corresponds to the English "lieutenant" in military contexts but is more formalized and tied to specific ranks in the Russian Armed Forces. It is typically used in official, historical, or professional settings rather than casual conversation. When translating, ensure the context matches; for example, avoid using it for non-military equivalents like police ranks (which might use different terms). Grammar-wise, always decline the noun according to its case, and pair it with appropriate adjectives (e.g., "молодой лейтенант" for "young lieutenant"). If multiple translations exist, choose "лейтенант" for standard military use, but opt for variants like "младший лейтенант" based on rank specifics.

• Key tip: In spoken Russian, it's common to use full titles in formal addresses, such as "товарищ лейтенант" in historical contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "лейтенант" interchangeably with "офицер" without specifying rank. Correct: "Офицер" is a general term; specify "лейтенант" for the exact rank. Example of error: "Он офицер" (vague); Correct: "Он лейтенант" (precise). This mistake can lead to confusion in hierarchical discussions.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun in sentences, e.g., saying "Я видел лейтенант" instead of "Я видел лейтенанта" (accusative case). Correct usage: Always adjust for case, as in "Разговор с лейтенантом" (conversation with the lieutenant). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, unlike English, which can make this tricky for beginners.

• Error: Mispronouncing the word by stressing the wrong syllable, leading to incomprehension. Correct: Practice the IPA [lʲɪj.tʲɪˈnant] to ensure the soft "л" and correct stress.

Cultural Notes:

The term "лейтенант" carries historical significance in Russian culture, stemming from the Imperial Russian Army and evolving through the Soviet era. It often evokes images of World War II heroes or figures in Russian literature, such as in Tolstoy's works. In modern Russia, it symbolizes military service and patriotism, but usage can vary by region; for instance, in post-Soviet states, it retains similar connotations while adapting to local military structures.

Related Concepts:

• капитан
• майор
• офицерский корпус