Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Muslim'

English Word: Muslim

Key Russian Translations:

• мусульманин /muˈsʊlʲmənʲɪn/ - [Formal, Masculine, Used in general contexts to refer to a male follower of Islam]
• мусульманка /muˈsʊlʲmənkə/ - [Formal, Feminine, Used specifically for a female follower of Islam]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions about religion, culture, and demographics, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires basic understanding of Russian noun genders and cases, but the word itself is straightforward for learners familiar with religious terminology)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мусульманин: /muˈsʊlʲmənʲɪn/

мусульманка: /muˈsʊlʲmənkə/

Note on мусульманин: The stress is on the third syllable; be cautious with the palatalized 'л' sound, which can be tricky for non-native speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Note on мусульманка: Similar to мусульманин, but ends with a softer 'a' sound; practice the feminine ending for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A follower of the Islamic faith

Translation(s) & Context:

• мусульманин - Used in formal or neutral contexts when referring to a male Muslim, such as in historical, cultural, or demographic discussions.
• мусульманка - Applied in contexts involving female Muslims, emphasizing gender-specific references in social or biographical settings.

Usage Examples:

• Он является мусульманином и соблюдает пост во время Рамадана.

  He is a Muslim and observes fasting during Ramadan.

• Моя подруга — мусульманка, она молится пять раз в день.

  My friend is a Muslim woman; she prays five times a day.

• В этой стране большинство населения — мусульмане, но есть и другие религии.

  In this country, the majority of the population are Muslims, but there are other religions as well.

• Мусульманин должен следовать пяти столпам ислама.

  A Muslim must follow the five pillars of Islam.

• Как мусульманка, она носит хиджаб в повседневной жизни.

  As a Muslim woman, she wears a hijab in her daily life.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word "мусульманин" is a masculine noun, and "мусульманка" is a feminine noun. Both follow standard Russian declension patterns for first-declension nouns. Below is a table outlining the key inflections for "мусульманин" (singular and plural); "мусульманка" follows a similar pattern with feminine endings.

For "мусульманка", the singular forms adjust as: Nominative - мусульманка, Genitive - мусульманки, etc. These words do not have irregular inflections, making them relatively easy to learn.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • исламист (Note: More specific to political or activist contexts, not always interchangeable)
  • верующий в ислам (A more descriptive phrase, used in formal or explanatory settings)
• Antonyms:
  • христианин (Christian)
  • атеист (Atheist)

Related Phrases:

• Мусульманский мир - Refers to the global community of Muslims and their cultural sphere.
• Мусульманские традиции - Common traditions associated with Islamic practices.
• Быть мусульманином - To be a Muslim, often used in identity discussions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "мусульманин" and "мусульманка" directly correspond to the English "Muslim" but are gender-specific, unlike the English term which is often neutral. Use "мусульманин" for males and "мусульманка" for females to maintain accuracy in formal writing or speech. These words are neutral in tone but may carry cultural sensitivity in contexts involving religion. When discussing groups, opt for the plural "мусульмане" to avoid gender bias. Grammar note: Always ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs based on gender and case.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "мусульманин" for a female subject, e.g., "Она мусульманин."
  Correct: "Она мусульманка."
  Explanation: Russian nouns are gendered, so mismatched gender can lead to confusion or offense; always check the subject's gender before selection.

• Error: Incorrect case usage, e.g., saying "Я встретил мусульманин" instead of "Я встретил мусульманина."
  Correct: "Я встретил мусульманина" (Accusative case after the verb).
  Explanation: English learners often forget Russian case requirements; pay attention to the sentence structure to apply the right ending.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, terms like "мусульманин" are particularly relevant due to the significant Muslim population in regions like Tatarstan and the North Caucasus. These words often evoke historical contexts, such as the influence of Islam in Russian history, and should be used with respect to avoid stereotypes. For instance, not all Muslims are Arabs, and in Russia, many are ethnic Tatars or other groups, adding layers of cultural identity.

Related Concepts:

• ислам (Islam)
• Рамадан (Ramadan)
• Мечеть (Mosque)