Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'policeman'

English Word: policeman

Key Russian Translations:

• полицейский [pəlɪ'tsɛɪskʲɪj] - [Formal, Masculine noun, Used in modern contexts referring to a male police officer]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations, news, and literature, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "hello").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, according to CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and basic law enforcement terminology. For feminine form 'полицейская', same difficulty level).

Pronunciation (Russian):

полицейский: [pəlɪ'tsɛɪskʲɪj]

Note on полицейский: The stress falls on the third syllable ('tsɛɪ'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'kʲ' sound. Practice with native speakers for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A male member of the police force, responsible for maintaining law and order.

Translation(s) & Context:

• полицейский - Used in formal, professional, or everyday contexts when referring to a male police officer in Russia or other Russian-speaking regions.

Usage Examples:

• Вчера я видел, как полицейский остановил нарушителя на улице.

  Yesterday, I saw a policeman stopping a violator on the street.

• Мой отец работал полицейским в Москве в 1990-х годах.

  My father worked as a policeman in Moscow in the 1990s.

• Полицейский проверял документы у водителя во время патруля.

  The policeman was checking the driver's documents during the patrol.

• В фильме главный герой — молодой полицейский, борющийся с преступностью.

  In the movie, the main character is a young policeman fighting crime.

• Если вы потерялись, обратитесь к ближайшему полицейскому за помощью.

  If you get lost, ask the nearest policeman for help.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Полицейский" is a masculine noun in the first declension group. It follows standard Russian noun patterns for changes in case, number, and gender. The feminine form "полицейская" exists for female officers. Below is a table for its declensions:

For the feminine form "полицейская", it follows a similar pattern but with feminine endings (e.g., Nominative: полицейская; Genitive: полицейской). This word does not change irregularly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • милиционер [mʲɪlʲɪ'tsɪjənʲɪr] - An older term used before police reforms; still understood but less common in modern contexts.
  • страж порядка [straʒ 'pɐrkəva] - Literal meaning "guardian of order"; used in formal or poetic language.
• Antonyms:
  • преступник [prʲɪstʊpˈnʲik] - Criminal; directly opposes the role of a policeman.

Related Phrases:

• полицейский отдел - Police department; used in contexts involving law enforcement organizations.
• на дежурстве у полицейского - On duty with the policeman; refers to active service scenarios.
• полицейский патруль - Police patrol; a common phrase for routine monitoring of areas.
• звать полицейского на помощь - To call a policeman for help; implies emergency situations.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "полицейский" directly corresponds to the English "policeman" but is gender-specific; use "полицейская" for females to avoid gender bias, which is increasingly important in modern Russian usage. This word is neutral in most contexts but can carry a formal tone in official documents. When discussing police in general, prefer "полиция" (police force). Be mindful of regional variations: in some post-Soviet states, "милиционер" might still be used informally. Choose between translations based on context—e.g., historical discussions might favor "милиционер".

• Grammar note: Always decline the noun according to its case in a sentence for correct Russian syntax.
• Context tip: In informal speech, Russians might use diminutives like "полицейский дядя" (policeman uncle) for a friendly tone.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "полицейский" for a female officer without adjustment. Incorrect: "Она полицейский." Correct: "Она полицейская." Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, so matching the gender is essential for accuracy and avoids confusion in communication.
• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun in sentences. Incorrect: "Я видел полицейский." Correct: "Я видел полицейского." Explanation: In accusative case, the noun must change; English speakers often overlook this due to English's lack of declensions.
• Error: Confusing with "милиционер" in modern contexts. Incorrect: Using "милиционер" in contemporary settings. Correct: Use "полицейский" for current references. Explanation: "Милиционер" refers to the pre-2011 system in Russia, so it can sound outdated.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, policemen are often portrayed in media as symbols of authority and order, influenced by Soviet-era depictions where they were part of the "militia" system. However, post-2011 reforms in Russia transitioned to a more Western-style police force, reflecting societal shifts towards modernization. Be aware that interactions with police can vary by region, with more formality in urban areas like Moscow compared to rural settings.

Related Concepts:

• полиция
• правоохранительные органы
• криминалист