Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pawnbroker'

English Word: pawnbroker

Key Russian Translations:

• ростовщик /rɐˈstovʲɕːik/ - [Formal, often used in literary or historical contexts]
• закладчик /zɐˈklatʲʃʲik/ - [Informal, regional variations, used in everyday speech in some dialects]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in modern everyday Russian; it's more prevalent in historical, financial, or literary discussions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves specific vocabulary related to finance and commerce; learners at this level should understand basic noun declensions and contextual usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ростовщик: /rɐˈstovʲɕːik/ (Note the stress on the third syllable; the 'щ' sound is a soft, palatalized 'sh' which can be challenging for English speakers.)

закладчик: /zɐˈklatʲʃʲik/ (Emphasize the 'тʲ' as a soft 't' followed by a palatalized consonant; common in spoken Russian.)

Note on ростовщик: Be cautious with the 'щ' sound, which doesn't have a direct English equivalent; it's softer than the 'sh' in "shoe". Variations may occur in regional accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who lends money at high interest rates, typically on the security of personal property (e.g., in a pawnshop).

Translation(s) & Context:

• ростовщик - Used in formal, historical, or negative contexts, implying exploitation or high-interest lending; common in literature or discussions about debt.
• закладчик - Informal equivalent, often in regional or colloquial settings, referring to someone running a small pawn operation; less formal than ростовщик.

Usage Examples:

• В старом городе жил ростовщик, который помогал людям в трудные времена.

  In the old town, there lived a pawnbroker who helped people in difficult times.

• Она пошла к закладчику, чтобы заложить золотое кольцо за деньги.

  She went to the pawnbroker to pawn her gold ring for money.

• Ростовщик в фильме был изображен как хитрый и безжалостный человек.

  The pawnbroker in the film was portrayed as a cunning and ruthless person.

• Многие крестьяне в XIX веке обращались к местному закладчику для выживания.

  Many peasants in the 19th century turned to the local pawnbroker for survival.

• Современный ростовщик использует онлайн-платформы для своих услуг.

  The modern pawnbroker uses online platforms for their services.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "ростовщик" and "закладчик" are masculine nouns (2nd declension in Russian). They follow standard Russian noun inflection patterns, which are regular but require attention to cases. Below is a table for "ростовщик" as an example; "закладчик" follows similar rules.

For "закладчик", the inflections are identical in structure. These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners, but always adjust for case based on sentence role.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ломбардщик (Similar to pawnbroker, but more neutral and business-oriented; often used for modern pawnshop operators.)
  • залогодержатель (More formal, emphasizing the legal aspect of holding collateral.)
• Antonyms:
  • благотворитель (Philanthropist; implies giving without interest, contrasting the profit-driven nature.)
  • даритель (Donor; someone who gives freely.)

Related Phrases:

• Пойти к ростовщику - (To go to the pawnbroker; used when someone needs quick cash by pawning items.)
• Заложить вещь у закладчика - (To pawn an item at the pawnbroker's; common in financial hardship scenarios.)
• Ростовщический процент - (Pawnbroker's interest rate; refers to high-interest loans in a negative context.)

Usage Notes:

"Ростовщик" is the most direct translation for "pawnbroker" and carries a slightly negative connotation in Russian, often implying exploitation, especially in historical or literary contexts. Use "закладчик" for more neutral, everyday situations. Be mindful of the noun's gender and case in sentences; for example, it's common in prepositional phrases like "у ростовщика" (at the pawnbroker's). English speakers should note that Russian lacks a direct equivalent for modern pawnshops, so context guides the choice between translations. In formal writing, opt for "ростовщик" over "закладчик" for precision.

Common Errors:

• Confusing case endings: English learners often use the nominative form "ростовщик" in all contexts. Incorrect: "Я видел ростовщик" (wrong case). Correct: "Я видел ростовщика" (accusative case). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always check the sentence structure.
• Misusing synonyms: Learners might use "благотворитель" thinking it's a synonym, but it means the opposite. Incorrect: "Он был благотворитель, берущий проценты" (He was a pawnbroker taking interest). Correct: "Он был ростовщик, берущий проценты". Explanation: Understand connotations to avoid semantic errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "ростовщик" evoke historical images from 19th-century literature (e.g., in Dostoevsky's works), where pawnbrokers symbolized economic inequality and desperation. This reflects Russia's feudal past, where high-interest lending was common among the poor, adding a layer of social critique to the word.

Related Concepts:

• деньги (Money)
• кредит (Credit)
• залог (Collateral)