Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rocker'

English Word: rocker

Key Russian Translations:

• Рокер /ˈro.kər/ - [Informal, Slang; Used in modern music contexts]
• Рок-музыкант /rok mu.zy.'kan.t/ - [Formal; Used in professional or descriptive settings]

Frequency: Medium (Common in youth culture and music discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with Russian loanwords and cultural references; For 'Рокер', it's easier due to direct borrowing, while 'Рок-музыкант' may be slightly harder for beginners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Рокер: /ˈro.kər/ (The stress is on the first syllable; pronounced with a hard 'r' sound, common in Russian)

Рок-музыкант: /rok mu.zy.'kan.t/ (Stress on the third syllable of 'музыкант'; note the soft 'zy' sound in 'музы')

Note on Рокер: This word is a direct loan from English, so pronunciation closely mirrors the original, but Russians may soften the vowels slightly. Be cautious with the rolled 'r'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person who plays or is a fan of rock music (e.g., a rock musician or enthusiast)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Рокер - Used in informal contexts, such as casual conversations about music subcultures.
• Рок-музыкант - Preferred in formal writing or when emphasizing the professional aspect, like in biographies or articles.

Usage Examples:

• Он — настоящий рокер, который играет на гитаре в местной группе.

  He is a true rocker who plays guitar in a local band.

• Мой брат — страстный рокер и коллекционирует виниловые пластинки.

  My brother is a passionate rocker and collects vinyl records.

• На фестивале мы встретили многих рок-музыкантов из разных стран.

  At the festival, we met many rock musicians from different countries.

• Она одевается как типичный рокер с кожаной курткой и длинными волосами.

  She dresses like a typical rocker with a leather jacket and long hair.

• Рок-музыкант должен уметь импровизировать на сцене, чтобы зажечь публику.

  A rock musician needs to be able to improvise on stage to energize the audience.

Meaning 2: A device or chair that rocks, such as a rocking chair (less common for this word, but possible in specific contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Кресло-качалка - Used literally for furniture, in everyday or descriptive language.

Usage Examples:

• В гостиной стоит старое кресло-качалка, которое напоминает мне о дедушке.

  In the living room, there's an old rocking chair that reminds me of my grandfather.

• Иногда 'рокер' используется в разговорном языке для описания чего-то качающегося, но это не стандартно.

  Sometimes 'rocker' is used in casual speech to describe something that rocks, but it's not standard.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'Рокер' and 'Рок-музыкант' are nouns. 'Рокер' is typically indeclinable as it's a loanword, while 'Рок-музыкант' follows standard Russian adjective-noun patterns.

Note: 'Рокер' is irregular as a loanword and doesn't change in most cases, making it simpler for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Рок-исполнитель (rock performer; more formal, emphasizes performance)
  • Рок-фанат (rock fan; for enthusiasts, not professionals)
• Antonyms:
  • Классик (classicist; refers to someone in classical music)
  • Поп-музыкант (pop musician; contrasts with rock style)

Related Phrases:

• Рокерский стиль - Rocker's style (Refers to the fashion and attitude associated with rock culture.)
• Жить как рокер - To live like a rocker (Means adopting a free-spirited, rebellious lifestyle.)
• Рок-музыкант на сцене - Rock musician on stage (Common in concert descriptions, emphasizing live performance.)

Usage Notes:

'Рокер' is a direct borrowing from English and is most commonly used in informal contexts, such as youth slang or music discussions. It directly corresponds to the English 'rocker' as a musician or fan, but avoid using it in formal writing where 'рок-музыкант' is more appropriate. Note the cultural nuance: in Russian, this word often implies a subcultural identity. For grammar, 'рокер' remains unchanged in most cases, simplifying its use, but always consider the context—e.g., use with adjectives like 'крутые рокеры' (cool rockers) to add description.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'рокер' with 'рокер' as in 'rocking chair' (кресло-качалка). Correct: In Russian, 'рокер' specifically means the music-related term; use 'кресло-качалка' for furniture. Example of error: Saying 'Я сижу на рокере' (I sit on a rocker) when meaning a chair—Correct: 'Я сижу на кресле-качалке'. This mix-up occurs due to direct translation without context.

• Error: Overusing 'рокер' in formal contexts. Correct: In professional bios, opt for 'рок-музыкант' instead of 'рокер' to sound more polished. Example: Incorrect: 'Он — рокер в известной группе'; Correct: 'Он — рок-музыкант в известной группе'.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'рокер' often evokes the Soviet-era rock movement, which was a form of rebellion against state censorship. Figures like Viktor Tsoi symbolize this, making the term not just about music but also about counterculture and freedom of expression. This adds a layer of historical depth, especially in contexts like Russian rock festivals.

Related Concepts:

• Панк (punk)
• Металлист (metalhead)
• Музыкальный фестиваль (music festival)