Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'militiaman'

English Word: militiaman

Key Russian Translations:

• ополченец (/ɐˈpolʲtɕɪnʲɛts/) - [Formal, Historical, Military Context]

Frequency: Medium (This word appears in historical, military, or formal discussions but is not part of everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR standards; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and historical vocabulary.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ополченец: /ɐˈpolʲtɕɪnʲɛts/

Note on ополченец: The stress falls on the third syllable ('tɕɪnʲ'). The 'щ' sound (/ɕ/) is a soft, palatalized 'sh', which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a clear emphasis on the 'e' in the final syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A member of a civilian militia or armed group, often in a historical or voluntary context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ополченец - Used in formal, historical, or military contexts to refer to a volunteer soldier or militiaman, especially in Russian history like the Napoleonic Wars or World War II.

Usage Examples:

• В 1812 году ополченцы из Москвы и Петербурга встали на защиту Родины от наполеоновских войск.

  In 1812, militiamen from Moscow and St. Petersburg rose to defend the homeland against Napoleon's troops.

• Многие ополченцы в Великой Отечественной войне были простыми крестьянами, взявшими в руки оружие.

  Many militiamen in the Great Patriotic War were ordinary peasants who took up arms.

• Современные ополченцы в некоторых регионах России проходят обучение для чрезвычайных ситуаций.

  Modern militiamen in certain regions of Russia undergo training for emergency situations.

• Ополченец, вооружённый только ружьём, сыграл ключевую роль в обороне города.

  The militiaman, armed only with a rifle, played a key role in the city's defense.

• В исторических фильмах ополченцы часто изображаются как герои, борющиеся за свободу.

  In historical films, militiamen are often depicted as heroes fighting for freedom.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Ополченец" is a masculine animate noun in Russian, which means it follows the standard declension patterns for second-declension nouns. It is inflected based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • воин (/ˈvoɪn/) - A general term for a warrior; less specific to voluntary militias and more broad.
  • милиционер (/mʲɪlʲɪt͡sɪˈonʲɛr/) - Often used for police or security forces, but can overlap in historical contexts; implies a more organized structure.
• Antonyms:
  • гражданин (/ɡrɐʒˈdanʲɪn/) - Civilian; contrasts with any military or armed role.
  • мирный житель (/ˈmʲirnɨj ʐɨˈtʲe.tʲɛlʲ/) - Peaceful resident; emphasizes non-combatant status.

Related Phrases:

• народное ополчение - People's militia; a historical term referring to a volunteer army, often used in the context of national defense.
• ополченческий отряд - Militia squad; describes a group of armed volunteers in a military operation.
• встать в ополчение - To join the militia; a phrase indicating volunteering for armed service, commonly in historical narratives.

Usage Notes:

"Ополченец" directly corresponds to "militiaman" in English, emphasizing a non-professional, often voluntary fighter. It is typically used in formal or historical contexts rather than everyday speech. Be mindful of the word's connotations, which may evoke Russian history (e.g., the War of 1812). When choosing between translations like "ополченец" and "воин," opt for "ополченец" if the context involves civilian volunteers. Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian case rules to avoid errors in sentence structure.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "ополченец" with "милиционер": English learners often mix this up, thinking it means a modern police officer. Incorrect: "Он милиционер в армии" (wrongly implying a policeman in the army). Correct: "Он ополченец в историческом контексте" (He is a militiaman in a historical context). Explanation: "Милиционер" refers to police, while "ополченец" is specifically for militia members.

• Forgetting declensions: Learners might use the nominative form everywhere, e.g., "Я видел ополченец" (incorrect). Correct: "Я видел ополченца" (accusative case). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always adjust based on the sentence's grammatical role.

Cultural Notes:

"Ополченец" carries significant historical weight in Russian culture, often symbolizing patriotic volunteerism during events like the defense against Napoleon in 1812 or World War II. It evokes themes of national resilience and civilian heroism, appearing frequently in literature, films, and memorials. Understanding this term helps English speakers grasp Russia's emphasis on collective defense in its history.

Related Concepts:

• солдат
• вооружённые силы
• патриот