Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'postman'

English Word: postman

Key Russian Translations:

• почтальон /pɐʂ'talʲjɵn/ - [Formal, Masculine noun, Used in everyday contexts referring to a mail delivery person]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly used in contexts involving postal services but not in daily casual conversation.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner level; straightforward vocabulary for learners familiar with basic nouns and professions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

почтальон: /pɐʂ'talʲjɵn/

Note on почтальон: The pronunciation includes a soft 'л' sound (/lʲ/), which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 'll' in "million" but softer. Stress is on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person employed to deliver mail.

Translation(s) & Context:

• почтальон - Used in formal and informal contexts when referring to a male mail carrier; in modern Russian, it can be gender-neutral in practice but traditionally masculine.

Usage Examples:

• Почтальон доставил пакет вчера вечером.

  The postman delivered the package last evening.

• Каждый день почтальон приносит газеты в наш дом.

  Every day, the postman brings newspapers to our house.

• Мой отец работал почтальоном много лет.

  My father worked as a postman for many years.

• В дождливую погоду почтальон всё равно выходит на маршрут.

  Even in rainy weather, the postman still goes out on his route.

• Почтальон с улыбкой передал письмо старушке.

  The postman handed the letter to the old lady with a smile.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Почтальон" is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows regular patterns for most Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The plural form is used when referring to multiple postmen. There are no irregular inflections for this word.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: курьер (courier - often used for faster or private delivery services), доставщик (deliverer - more general term for anyone who delivers goods)
• Antonyms: получатель (recipient - the person who receives mail, as opposed to the deliverer)

Related Phrases:

• Почтальон на велосипеде - A postman on a bicycle (Common in rural areas; refers to traditional delivery methods).
• Доставка почтальоном - Delivery by postman (Used in contexts discussing postal services or logistics).
• Почтальон с телеграммой - Postman with a telegram (Historical phrase, evoking old communication methods).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "почтальон" directly corresponds to the English "postman" but is traditionally masculine. For female mail carriers, "почтальонка" is sometimes used informally, though "почтальон" can be gender-neutral in modern usage. It's important to note the case changes based on sentence structure; for example, use the genitive form "почтальона" after prepositions like "от" (from). When choosing between synonyms like "курьер," opt for "почтальон" in official or state postal contexts rather than private services.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the nominative form "почтальон" in all cases, e.g., saying "Я видел от почтальон" instead of "Я видел от почтальона."
  Correct: "Я видел от почтальона" (with genitive case). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so learners must adjust the ending based on the grammatical role.
• Error: Confusing with "курьер" and using it interchangeably, e.g., assuming "курьер" means the same as "postman."
  Correct: Use "почтальон" for official mail delivery; "курьер" implies faster, often paid services. Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings in professional contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the image of the "почтальон" often evokes nostalgia for the Soviet era, when postmen were a reliable link in rural communities, delivering not just mail but news and packages. This role has diminished with digital communication, but it still symbolizes connection in literature and films, such as in stories by Anton Chekhov.

Related Concepts:

• почта (post office)
• письмо (letter)
• доставка (delivery)