Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'parson'

English Word: parson

Key Russian Translations:

• священник [svʲɪˈaʂːʲɪnʲɪk] - [Formal, used in religious or official contexts]
• пастор [ˈpastər] - [Informal, specific to Protestant denominations]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in religious, literary, or historical contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves specialized religious vocabulary; learners should have basic familiarity with Russian nouns and cases)

Pronunciation (Russian):

священник: [svʲɪˈaʂːʲɪnʲɪk]

Note on священник: This word features a soft 'щ' sound, which is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to the 'sh' in "she" but softer and more hissing. Pay attention to the stress on the third syllable.

Audio: []

пастор: [ˈpastər]

Note on пастор: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'a' sounds like the 'a' in "father." This is a borrowed word from English/German, so pronunciation is relatively straightforward for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A clergyman or priest in charge of a parish, often in the context of the Anglican or Protestant church.

Translation(s) & Context:

• священник - Typically used in formal Russian Orthodox or general religious contexts, implying a community leader with spiritual duties.
• пастор - More common in Protestant settings, such as in evangelical communities, and can be less formal.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: В маленькой деревне священник проводит воскресные службы.

  English: In the small village, the parson conducts Sunday services.

• Русский: Пастор нашей общины известен своей добротой и мудростью.

  English: The parson of our community is known for his kindness and wisdom.

• Русский: Священник всегда готов выслушать прихожан в трудные времена.

  English: The parson is always ready to listen to parishioners in difficult times.

• Русский: В историческом романе описывается жизнь сельского пастора.

  English: The historical novel describes the life of a rural parson.

• Русский: Пастор и священник иногда обмениваются опытом на межконфессиональных встречах.

  English: The parson and the priest sometimes exchange experiences at interfaith meetings.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "священник" and "пастор" are masculine nouns in Russian. "Священник" follows the standard first-declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, while "пастор" is less inflected as a borrowed word but still follows basic rules. Below is a table for "священник" inflections; "пастор" has minimal changes and is often used in its base form.

For "пастор," it is invariant in many contexts but can inflect as: Nominative singular - пастор; Genitive singular - пастора; Plural - пасторы (though less common).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • священник (similar to parson in Orthodox contexts)
  • пастор (identical in Protestant contexts; no significant differences)
  • духовник (more intimate, implying a confessor)
• Antonyms:
  • атеист (indicating someone without religious belief)
  • неверующий (non-believer, contrasting with religious roles)

Related Phrases:

• Сельский священник - A village parson; refers to a priest in a rural area, often evoking traditional community life.
• Пастор церкви - Parson of the church; used for a leader in a specific congregation.
• Духовный пастор - Spiritual parson; emphasizes the advisory or counseling role in modern contexts.

Usage Notes:

Use "священник" for contexts aligned with Russian Orthodox traditions, as it carries a more formal and cultural connotation, whereas "пастор" is better for Protestant or ecumenical settings. In English, "parson" often implies a specific Anglican role, so choose the Russian equivalent based on the religious denomination discussed. Be mindful of case endings in sentences, as Russian requires agreement with other words. For example, if the parson is the subject, use nominative; if possessive, use genitive.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "священник" with "святая" (which means "saint" or "holy"), leading to incorrect gender usage. Error: "Святая проводит службы" (incorrect, as it implies a female saint). Correct: "Священник проводит службы" – This error stems from misunderstanding noun genders.
• Overusing "пастор" in Orthodox contexts. Error: "Православный пастор" (awkward, as it's not standard). Correct: "Православный священник" – English learners might borrow directly from English without checking cultural fit.
• Forgetting inflections. Error: "Я видел священник" (incorrect genitive). Correct: "Я видел священника" – Always apply the appropriate case for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, "священник" is deeply tied to the Russian Orthodox Church, which has historically played a central role in national identity and daily life. Unlike the Western concept of a "parson," Russian priests often wear distinctive robes and are involved in community rituals, reflecting centuries of Orthodox tradition. This can add a layer of cultural reverence not always present in Protestant equivalents.

Related Concepts:

• епископ (bishop)
• прихожанин (parishioner)
• монастырь (monastery)