Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'professor'

English Word: professor

Key Russian Translations:

• профессор /prɐˈfʲesər/ - [Formal, Used in academic and professional contexts]

Frequency: High (This word is commonly used in everyday discussions about education, academia, and professional titles in Russian-speaking contexts.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, according to CEFR standards; learners at this level should be able to recognize and use it in basic sentences, though mastering inflections may require further practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

профессор: /prɐˈfʲesər/

Note on профессор: The stress falls on the third syllable (/ˈfʲesər/), and the 'ф' is pronounced as a voiceless labiodental fricative, similar to 'f' in English. Be mindful of the soft sign 'ь' which palatalizes the preceding consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A senior academic or university teacher with a high level of expertise.

Translation(s) & Context:

• профессор - Used in formal educational settings, such as universities, to refer to a tenured or highly qualified instructor. Context: Academic discussions, professional introductions.

Usage Examples:

• Он является профессором в Московском государственном университете.

  He is a professor at Moscow State University. (This example shows the word in a nominative case, describing a person's professional title in an academic context.)

• Профессор прочитал лекцию по современной литературе.

  The professor gave a lecture on modern literature. (Here, it demonstrates the word as a subject in a sentence, highlighting its use in describing professional activities.)

• Молодой учёный мечтает стать профессором.

  The young scholar dreams of becoming a professor. (This illustrates the word in an aspirational context, showing its role in discussions about career goals.)

• Профессор ответила на вопросы студентов после семинара.

  The professor answered the students' questions after the seminar. (This example varies the gender, noting that while 'профессор' is typically masculine, it can be used for females in modern usage.)

• В университете работает известный профессор по физике.

  A famous professor of physics works at the university. (This shows the word in a genitive context within a larger phrase, emphasizing specialization.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Профессор is a masculine noun of the first declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its primary inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once the basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • преподаватель (teacher; more general, often used for any instructor, with a slight connotation of less seniority than профессор)
  • лектор (lecturer; typically implies someone who gives lectures but may not hold a full professorship, common in university settings)
• Antonyms:
  • студент (student; represents the opposite role in an academic hierarchy)
  • ассистент (assistant; a junior position below a professor)

Related Phrases:

• университетский профессор (university professor) - Refers to a professor affiliated with a university, emphasizing institutional context.
• заведующий кафедрой (head of department) - Often implies a professor in a leadership role within an academic department.
• профессор emeritus (эмерит-профессор) - A retired professor who retains their title, used in formal academic discussions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "профессор" directly corresponds to the English "professor" as a high-level academic title, but it is typically reserved for formal contexts like universities or professional settings. Unlike in English, where "professor" can sometimes be used more loosely, Russian usage is more precise and often implies a specific qualification. Be aware of gender agreement: while traditionally masculine, it can be used for women in modern contexts without change, though feminine forms like "профессорша" are rare and outdated. When choosing between synonyms like "преподаватель," opt for "профессор" only for senior roles to avoid overstatement.

Common Errors:

• Confusing cases: English learners often misuse the genitive case, e.g., saying "я встретил профессор" instead of "я встретил профессора" (I met the professor). Correct usage: Always decline based on sentence function.
• Overgeneralization: Mistaking "профессор" for any teacher, leading to phrases like "мой школьный профессор" (my school professor), which should be "мой школьный учитель." Explanation: Use "профессор" only for higher education; for schools, "учитель" is more appropriate.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the title "профессор" carries significant prestige, often associated with the Soviet-era education system where it denoted a pinnacle of academic achievement. It reflects a deep respect for intellectual contributions, and in modern Russia, professors are key figures in universities like MGU (Moscow State University), symbolizing expertise and authority in fields such as science and humanities.

Related Concepts:

• доктор наук (Doctor of Sciences)
• лектор (lecturer)
• академик (academician, often a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences)