Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ruffian'

English Word: ruffian

Key Russian Translations:

• хулиган [/xʊˈlʲiɡən/] - [Informal, Colloquial]
• бандит [/ˈbandʲit/] - [Formal, More severe connotation, often implying criminal activity]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, especially in media and casual discussions about antisocial behavior)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of Russian noun declensions and vocabulary related to social issues)

Pronunciation (Russian):

хулиган: /xʊˈlʲiɡən/

Note on хулиган: The initial 'х' is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch'. Stress is on the second syllable, which can be challenging for English speakers.

бандит: /ˈbandʲit/

Note on бандит: The 'б' is a voiced bilabial stop, and the palatalized 'дʲ' adds a soft sound; practice with native audio for accurate softening.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A violent or lawless person

Translation(s) & Context:

• хулиган - Used in informal contexts to describe a troublemaker or rowdy individual in everyday situations, such as street fights or youth misbehavior.
• бандит - Applied in more formal or serious contexts, like criminal gangs or historical narratives, to denote a bandit or outlaw.

Usage Examples:

• На улице бродил подозрительный хулиган, который пугал прохожих.

  On the street, a suspicious ruffian was wandering, scaring passersby.

• В старом фильме главный герой борется с бандитом, грабящим деревню.

  In the old film, the main hero fights against a ruffian who is robbing the village.

• Молодые хулиганы часто собираются в парке и устраивают беспорядки.

  Young ruffians often gather in the park and cause disturbances.

• Полиция арестовала известного бандита, который терроризировал местный район.

  The police arrested a notorious ruffian who was terrorizing the local area.

• Этот хулиган в школе постоянно дразнил одноклассников, но в конце концов был наказан.

  This ruffian in school constantly teased his classmates but was eventually punished.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "хулиган" and "бандит" are masculine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard first-declension patterns for animate nouns. "Хулиган" is more commonly used and has regular inflections, while "бандит" is also regular but may vary slightly in literary contexts.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners, but always pay attention to the animate accusative, which matches the genitive.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • разбойник (robber; often used in historical or literary contexts)
  • преступник (criminal; broader term for lawbreakers)
• Antonyms:
  • джентльмен (gentleman; implies politeness and refinement)
  • герой (hero; someone admired for bravery and morality)

Related Phrases:

• Молодой хулиган - A young ruffian; often refers to juvenile delinquents in urban settings.
• Опасный бандит - A dangerous ruffian; used to describe high-risk criminals.
• Хулиган на улице - Ruffian on the street; common phrase for street-level troublemakers.

Usage Notes:

"Хулиган" is the most direct translation for "ruffian" in informal English contexts and is widely used in modern Russian media. It corresponds closely to the English term but carries a connotation of youthful mischief rather than organized crime. Use "бандит" when emphasizing criminal intent. Be mindful of context: in formal writing, opt for "бандит" to avoid sounding too casual. Grammatically, these nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying adjectives or verbs.

• Avoid overusing in polite conversation; it's best for neutral or negative descriptions.
• When choosing between translations, select based on severity: "хулиган" for minor offenses, "бандит" for major ones.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "хулиган" in formal contexts where "бандит" is more appropriate, e.g., saying "Он хулиган в банде" instead of "Он бандит в банде."
  Correct: "Он бандит в банде" (He is a ruffian in the gang). Explanation: "Хулиган" implies less organization, so it downplays the criminal aspect.
• Mistake: Forgetting noun declensions, e.g., saying "Я видел хулиган" instead of "Я видел хулигана" in accusative case.
  Correct: "Я видел хулигана." Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.
• Mistake: Confusing with similar words like "хам" (boor), which is less violent.
  Correct: Use "хулиган" for physical aggression. Explanation: "Хам" focuses on rudeness, not violence.

Cultural Notes:

The term "хулиган" has roots in early 20th-century Russian culture, inspired by English hooliganism, particularly from football (soccer) fan violence. In Russia, it often evokes images of youth subcultures or post-Soviet social unrest, reflecting broader themes of disorder in society. Understanding this helps English speakers grasp the word's emotional weight in contexts like literature or news reports.

Related Concepts:

• преступление (crime)
• нарушитель (violator)
• беспорядок (disorder)