Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'runner'

English Word: runner

Key Russian Translations:

• бегун [bʲɪˈɡun] - [Informal, Masculine]
• бегунья [bʲɪˈɡunʲə] - [Formal, Feminine]
• спринтер [ˈsprʲintʲɪr] - [Formal, Specific to sprinters or fast runners]

Frequency: Medium (Common in sports and everyday contexts, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of Russian noun genders and basic inflections, per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бегун: [bʲɪˈɡun]

бегунья: [bʲɪˈɡunʲə]

спринтер: [ˈsprʲintʲɪr]

Note on бегун: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'г' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Note on бегунья: Similar to бегун, but with a feminine ending; the 'я' adds a soft, palatalized quality.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person who runs, especially in sports or athletics.

Translation(s) & Context:

• бегун - Used for male runners in informal or general sports discussions, often in casual conversations.
• бегунья - Applied to female runners in formal or gender-specific contexts, such as reports or narratives.
• спринтер - Reserved for runners specializing in short-distance races, in professional or technical settings.

Usage Examples:

• Он — талантливый бегун и часто выигрывает марафоны. (He is a talented runner and often wins marathons.)

  He is a talented runner and often wins marathons.

• Бегунья из нашей команды установила новый рекорд на соревнованиях. (The runner from our team set a new record at the competitions.)

  The runner from our team set a new record at the competitions.

• Спринтер подготовился к забегу, фокусируясь на скорости и выносливости. (The sprinter prepared for the race, focusing on speed and endurance.)

  The sprinter prepared for the race, focusing on speed and endurance.

• Молодой бегун тренируется каждый день в парке, несмотря на плохую погоду. (The young runner trains every day in the park, despite the bad weather.)

  The young runner trains every day in the park, despite the bad weather.

Meaning 2: A person or thing that runs errands, or in a metaphorical sense, like a fugitive.

Translation(s) & Context:

• бегун - In informal contexts for someone who runs messages or errands, or metaphorically for a fugitive.
• спринтер - Less common here, but could imply quick, evasive action in slang.

Usage Examples:

• В старом фильме бегун доставлял важные документы через весь город. (In the old movie, the runner delivered important documents across the entire city.)

  In the old movie, the runner delivered important documents across the entire city.

• Бегун от полиции скрылся в переулке, используя свою скорость. (The runner from the police hid in the alley, using his speed.)

  The runner from the police hid in the alley, using his speed.

• Она работает как бегун в компании, разнося сообщения между отделами. (She works as a runner in the company, carrying messages between departments.)

  She works as a runner in the company, carrying messages between departments.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily nouns. "бегун" and "бегунья" follow standard Russian noun inflections for masculine and feminine genders, respectively. They are second-declension nouns with regular patterns, while "спринтер" is a borrowed word with less variation.

Note: "спринтер" is relatively invariable as a loanword, but it still follows basic patterns in plural forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: атлет [Used for athletes in general, with a broader scope]; спринтер [Specific to speed events]; легкоатлет [For track and field runners]
• Antonyms: ходок [Walker, implying slower movement]; сидячий [Sedentary person, in metaphorical contexts]

Related Phrases:

• Марафонский бегун - A marathon runner; used in endurance sports contexts. (Refers to someone participating in long-distance races.)
• Бегун на короткие дистанции - A short-distance runner; common in track events. (Emphasizes speed over stamina.)
• Профессиональный бегун - Professional runner; often in competitive scenarios. (Implies paid or elite-level participation.)

Usage Notes:

The English word "runner" corresponds most directly to "бегун" in Russian for sports-related meanings, but always consider gender agreement—use "бегунья" for females to avoid grammatical errors. In formal writing, opt for "спринтер" when specificity is needed. Be mindful of context: in everyday speech, these words are neutral, but in idiomatic expressions, they might carry connotations of agility or escape. For learners, remember that Russian nouns require case agreement with verbs and prepositions, which can differ from English structures.

• When choosing between translations, "бегун" is versatile for general use, while "спринтер" is more technical.
• In sentences, ensure proper inflection based on the sentence's grammatical role.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse gender forms, such as using "бегун" for a female subject, which should be "бегунья." Incorrect: "Она — бегун" (wrong gender agreement). Correct: "Она — бегунья." Another error is confusing it with the verb "бежать" (to run), leading to phrases like "бегун время" instead of "бегун во времени" for time-related contexts. Always check for case endings to avoid such mistakes, as Russian requires precise agreement.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, running and athletics hold significant importance, especially with events like the Moscow Marathon. The term "бегун" evokes images of Soviet-era sports heroes, symbolizing perseverance and national pride. It's often associated with outdoor activities in vast Russian landscapes, reflecting a cultural emphasis on physical endurance in harsh climates.

Related Concepts:

• спорт
• атлетика
• марафон