Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prisoner'

English Word: prisoner

Key Russian Translations:

• заключенный [zəˈklʲut͡ɕɪnːɨj] - [Formal]
• узник [ˈuznʲɪk] - [Formal, Literary]

Frequency: Medium (Common in legal, news, and literary contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Involves understanding noun declensions; for 'заключенный', it may be slightly more challenging due to its formal usage, while 'узник' is simpler but less frequent.

Pronunciation (Russian):

заключенный: [zəˈklʲut͡ɕɪnːɨj]

Note on заключенный: The stress falls on the third syllable; the 'щ' sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be tricky for beginners. Pronounce it with a clear 'y' glide in the final syllable.

узник: [ˈuznʲɪk]

Note on узник: Stress is on the first syllable; the 'зн' cluster is pronounced smoothly without a break.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who is confined in a prison or held captive.

Translation(s) & Context:

• заключенный - Used in formal, legal, or official contexts, such as in news reports or prison-related discussions.
• узник - Often employed in literary, historical, or poetic contexts, implying a sense of injustice or heroism, e.g., political prisoners.

Usage Examples:

• В тюрьме содержится много заключенных, ожидающих суда.

  In the prison, there are many prisoners waiting for trial. (Demonstrates use in a formal, descriptive context.)

• Этот узник боролся за свободу своей страны долгие годы.

  This prisoner fought for his country's freedom for many years. (Shows literary or historical usage, highlighting emotional connotation.)

• Заключенный был освобожден после доказательства его невиновности.

  The prisoner was released after proving his innocence. (Illustrates use in a legal narrative.)

• В исторических романах узники часто изображаются как символы стойкости.

  In historical novels, prisoners are often depicted as symbols of resilience. (Exemplifies metaphorical or thematic application.)

• Между заключенными в тюрьме существуют строгие правила поведения.

  Among prisoners in the prison, there are strict rules of behavior. (Demonstrates plural form in a societal context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'заключенный' and 'узник' are masculine nouns. Russian nouns inflect based on case, number, and gender. 'Заключенный' follows the standard first declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, while 'узник' is also masculine and inflects similarly but may vary in literary contexts.

Note: These are regular inflections; no irregularities, but pay attention to soft endings in certain cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • арестант (more archaic, implying arrest)
  • узник (as above, but can be synonymous in literary contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • свободный (free, as in not imprisoned)
  • освобождённый (released)

Note: 'Арестант' often carries a historical connotation from Soviet-era contexts, differing slightly from the neutral 'заключенный'.

Related Phrases:

• Политический заключенный - A political prisoner; used in contexts involving dissent or activism.
• Заключенный в тюрьме - Imprisoned; a common phrase in legal discussions.
• Узник совести - Prisoner of conscience; refers to someone imprisoned for their beliefs, with strong human rights implications.

Usage Notes:

'Prisoner' translates most accurately to 'заключенный' in everyday formal contexts, such as news or law, while 'узник' is better for literary or historical narratives. Be mindful of the noun's gender (masculine) and always decline it according to the sentence's case. In Russian, these words often appear in passive constructions, e.g., 'быть заключенным' (to be a prisoner). Choose 'заключенный' for neutral, modern usage and 'узник' for emotional depth; avoid mixing them in the same context to prevent confusion.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'заключенный' without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я видел заключенный" instead of "Я видел заключенного" (in accusative case).

  Correct: "Я видел заключенного." Explanation: Russian requires agreement in case; this mistake often stems from English's lack of declensions, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing 'узник' with 'заключенный' in formal settings, e.g., using 'узник' in a legal document where 'заключенный' is more appropriate.

  Correct: Use 'заключенный' for official contexts. Explanation: 'Узник' has a poetic tone and may sound outdated or overly dramatic in modern prose.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'узник' often evoke historical references, such as Soviet-era political prisoners or figures in Russian literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works). This reflects Russia's complex history with imprisonment and dissent, where such words carry emotional and symbolic weight beyond their literal meaning.

Related Concepts:

• тюрьма (prison)
• арест (arrest)
• освобождение (release)