Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'role'

English Word: role

Key Russian Translations:

• роль [rɐlʲ] - [Formal, used in contexts like theater, professions, or social functions]

Frequency: Medium (This word appears regularly in everyday Russian, especially in discussions about work, theater, or society, but not as common as basic verbs.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp its basic usage, but understanding inflections requires familiarity with Russian noun cases.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

роль: [rɐlʲ]

Note on роль: The "р" is a rolled 'r' sound, and the "лʲ" has a soft 'l' with palatalization, which is common in Russian. Be careful with the stress on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A part played by an actor in a performance (e.g., in theater or film).

Translation(s) & Context:

• роль - Used in formal or artistic contexts, such as describing a character's part in a play.

Usage Examples:

• В театре она исполняет главную роль в пьесе Шекспира.

  In the theater, she plays the leading role in Shakespeare's play.

• Актер тщательно готовится к своей роли в новом фильме.

  The actor is carefully preparing for his role in the new film.

• Роль Гамлета всегда считалась одной из самых сложных в классическом репертуаре.

  The role of Hamlet has always been considered one of the most challenging in the classical repertoire.

• В этой постановке роль злодея играет молодой артист.

  In this production, the role of the villain is played by a young actor.

Meaning 2: A function, position, or responsibility in a broader context (e.g., in society, work, or relationships).

Translation(s) & Context:

• роль - Used in informal or professional settings to describe societal or occupational roles.

Usage Examples:

• В семье у него роль главы, он принимает все важные решения.

  In the family, he has the role of the head, making all important decisions.

• Роль учителя в современном обществе становится все более значимой.

  The role of a teacher in modern society is becoming increasingly important.

• Каждый сотрудник понимает свою роль в проекте.

  Every employee understands their role in the project.

• В этой компании роль менеджера включает не только управление, но и мотивацию команды.

  In this company, the role of a manager includes not only management but also team motivation.

• Роль женщины в истории России часто недооценивается.

  The role of women in Russian history is often underestimated.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Роль" is a feminine noun of the second declension in Russian. It follows regular patterns for most cases but has specific changes based on number and case. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • функция (funksiya) - More neutral, often used in professional contexts; implies a specific duty.
  • должность (dolzhnost') - Emphasizes an official position, like a job title.
• Antonyms:
  • отсутствие роли (otsutstvie roli) - Literally "absence of role," implying no function.
  • незначительная роль (neznachitelnaya rol') - "Insignificant role," contrasting with a major one.

Related Phrases:

• Играть роль (Igrat' rol') - To play a role; used in theatrical or metaphorical contexts. (e.g., Meaning: To perform or fulfill a function.)
• Социальная роль (Sotsial'naya rol') - Social role; refers to societal expectations. (e.g., Meaning: A position in society with defined behaviors.)
• Главная роль (Glavnaya rol') - Leading role; in theater or life. (e.g., Meaning: The most important part.)

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "роль" directly corresponds to the English "role" in most contexts, but it is more commonly used in formal or written language. When translating, consider the context: for theatrical roles, it's straightforward, but for abstract roles (e.g., in society), it may overlap with "функция" if emphasizing duties. Always inflect based on case—e.g., use "роли" in genitive for possession. English speakers should note that Russian nouns like this require agreement in gender, number, and case with adjectives and verbs.

• In professional settings, "роль" is preferred over synonyms for clarity.
• Avoid using it in very informal speech; opt for simpler phrases if needed.

Common Errors:

English learners often forget to inflect "роль" correctly. For example:

• Error: Saying "у меня роль" (incorrect for "I have a role") instead of "у меня есть роль" or properly in context.
• Correct: "Моя роль в проекте — координатор" (My role in the project is coordinator). Explanation: The error stems from direct word-for-word translation; Russian requires proper case agreement, so use genitive or other cases as needed.
• Another common mistake: Confusing it with "рол" (not a word); always use the full form. Explanation: This happens due to mishearing, so practice pronunciation to avoid.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "роль" extends beyond theater to societal expectations, influenced by historical contexts like the Soviet era, where individuals often had defined roles in collective society. For instance, in literature and film, roles reflect themes of duty and identity, as seen in works by Chekhov or modern cinema, emphasizing how personal roles contribute to the greater whole.

Related Concepts:

• персонаж (personazh) - Character (e.g., in a story).
• позиция (pozitsiya) - Position (e.g., in an argument or job).
• функция (funksiya) - Function (as mentioned in synonyms).