Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pedestrian'

English Word: pedestrian

Key Russian Translations:

• пешеход [pʲɪˈʂɛxət] - [Formal, used in everyday contexts like traffic and urban settings]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in discussions about traffic, urban life, and safety, but not as frequent as basic everyday words)

Difficulty: A2 (Basic level; straightforward for beginners, but requires understanding of noun inflections in Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пешеход: [pʲɪˈʂɛxət]

Note on пешеход: The "ш" sound is a soft, palatalized "sh" as in "sheep," which can be tricky for English speakers. Stress is on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who is walking, especially on a street or sidewalk (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пешеход - Used in formal and informal contexts to refer to someone walking in public spaces, such as cities or roads, often in safety-related discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Пешеход перешёл улицу на красный свет. (The pedestrian crossed the street on a red light.)

  This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting a common urban scenario involving traffic rules.

• В большом городе пешеходы должны быть осторожны. (In a big city, pedestrians must be careful.)

  Here, the word is used in a general advisory context, demonstrating its plural form and emphasis on safety.

• Молодой пешеход быстро шёл по тротуару. (The young pedestrian was walking quickly along the sidewalk.)

  This illustrates the word with an adjective modifier, showing descriptive usage in narrative contexts.

• Пешеходы имеют преимущество на пешеходных зонах. (Pedestrians have the right of way in pedestrian zones.)

  This example integrates the word into a legal or regulatory context, common in discussions about urban planning.

• Если вы пешеход, всегда смотрите по сторонам. (If you are a pedestrian, always look both ways.)

  This demonstrates conditional usage, emphasizing personal safety advice.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Пешеход is a masculine noun in Russian, which means it follows the standard patterns of third-declension masculine nouns. It has regular inflections 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, but always pay attention to the ending changes based on case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: пешеходец (a less common variant, often used in informal or regional contexts, implying a walker in a specific setting)
• Antonyms: водитель (driver; implies someone using a vehicle, contrasting with walking)

Related Phrases:

• Пешеходный переход - A marked crossing for pedestrians; used in traffic contexts to ensure safe street crossing.
• Пешеходная зона - Pedestrian zone; refers to areas restricted to walkers, common in city centers for shopping or tourism.
• Пешеход на дороге - Pedestrian on the road; a phrase highlighting safety risks when walkers are in vehicular areas.

Usage Notes:

Пешеход directly corresponds to the English "pedestrian" as a noun, focusing on someone walking in public spaces. It is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal contexts (e.g., legal documents about traffic laws) and informal ones (e.g., everyday conversations). Be mindful of Russian case inflections when using it in sentences; for example, in prepositional phrases, it changes to "пешеходе." If the context involves multiple people, always use the plural form for accuracy. Among translations, пешеход is the most precise and commonly chosen for general use.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел пешеход" instead of "Я видел пешехода" in accusative contexts. Correct: "Я видел пешехода" (I saw the pedestrian). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so learners must adjust endings based on the sentence structure.
• Mistake: Confusing it with similar words like "ходок" (walker in a hiking sense). Correct: Use "пешеход" for urban walking. Explanation: "Ходок" implies recreational or long-distance walking, which could lead to semantic errors in traffic-related discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "пешеход" is particularly emphasized in urban environments due to historical city planning in places like Moscow or St. Petersburg. With a strong focus on pedestrian safety amid heavy traffic, phrases like "пешеходный переход" are integral to daily life, reflecting Russia's adaptation of Western traffic norms while prioritizing public transport and walking in city centers.

Related Concepts:

• автомобиль (automobile)
• транспорт (transport)
• пешеходная зона (pedestrian zone)