Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sailor'

English Word: sailor

Key Russian Translations:

• моряк [mɐˈrʲak] - [Formal, commonly used in general and professional contexts]
• матрос [mɐˈtros] - [Informal or military-specific, often implying a lower rank]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, news, and everyday conversation related to maritime topics, but not as frequent as everyday words like "дом" (house)).

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate; straightforward for basic learners due to regular noun inflections, but requires understanding of gender and cases in Russian sentences).

Pronunciation (Russian):

моряк: [mɐˈrʲak] (The "рʲ" sound is a soft, rolled 'r', which can be challenging for English speakers; emphasize the stress on the second syllable.)

матрос: [mɐˈtros] (Similar soft 'r' sound; the final 's' is pronounced as a soft 's'.)

Note on моряк: Be cautious with the palatalized 'r' in casual speech, as it may vary regionally; in some dialects, it softens further.

Note on матрос: This word often carries a military connotation, so pronunciation may be more clipped in formal settings.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person who works on a ship, often in a professional or naval capacity.

Translation(s) & Context:

• моряк - Used in general contexts for sailors in civilian or exploratory settings, such as merchant ships or adventures.
• матрос - Applied in military or hierarchical contexts, like navy personnel or lower-ranking crew members.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Моряк плывет по океану в поисках новых земель.

  English translation: The sailor is sailing across the ocean in search of new lands.

• Русский пример: Матросы на корабле выполняют повседневные обязанности.

  English translation: The sailors on the ship carry out their daily duties.

• Русский пример: Этот моряк пережил шторм и вернулся героем.

  English translation: This sailor survived the storm and returned as a hero.

• Русский пример: В старом фильме показан матрос, поющий шансонетки.

  English translation: In the old film, a sailor is shown singing sea shanties.

• Русский пример: Моряк из России участвовал в кругосветной экспедиции.

  English translation: The Russian sailor participated in a circumnavigation expedition.

Meaning 2: Figurative use, referring to someone experienced or adventurous (e.g., in a metaphorical sense).

Translation(s) & Context:

• моряк - Used metaphorically in literature or idioms to describe a seasoned traveler or risk-taker.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Он — настоящий моряк в мире бизнеса, всегда готов к рискам.

  English translation: He is a true sailor in the world of business, always ready for risks.

• Русский пример: Эта женщина — моряк по духу, путешествуя по миру.

  English translation: This woman is a sailor at heart, traveling the world.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "моряк" and "матрос" are masculine nouns in Russian, following standard second-declension patterns. "Моряк" is a regular noun with predictable inflections based on case and number. "Матрос" also inflects regularly but may vary slightly in plural forms due to its historical roots.

Note: These nouns do not change for gender but must agree with adjectives and verbs in case and number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • морской волк (implies an experienced sailor, often with a connotation of toughness)
  • корабельный матрос (more specific, meaning shipboard sailor; used in nautical contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • сухопутный (land-based person, contrasting with sea-faring life)
  • береговой (shore-based, e.g., someone who stays on land)

Related Phrases:

• морской волк - A seasoned sailor or old sea dog; used idiomatically to describe an experienced adventurer.
• плавать как моряк - To sail like a sailor; refers to skillful navigation in challenging conditions.
• жизнь моряка - Life of a sailor; a common phrase in stories about maritime adventures or hardships.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "моряк" is the most direct translation for "sailor" and is preferred in formal or literary contexts, while "матрос" is better for military or hierarchical settings. English speakers should note that Russian nouns require case agreement, so "моряк" changes based on its role in the sentence (e.g., "с моряком" for "with the sailor"). Choose between translations based on context: use "моряк" for general professions and "матрос" for specific ranks. Additionally, these words often carry cultural romance around seafaring, so they may appear in poetry or folklore.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "моряк" interchangeably with "матрос" without considering context. For example, learners might say "Матрос плывет по океану" when referring to a civilian sailor, which could imply a military figure.
  Correct: Use "моряк" for non-military contexts. Explanation: "Матрос" specifically denotes a lower rank in the navy, so it might confuse the intended meaning.
• Mistake: Forgetting case inflections, e.g., saying "Я вижу моряк" instead of "Я вижу моряка" (I see the sailor).
  Correct: "Я вижу моряка." Explanation: The accusative case is required after verbs like "видеть" (to see), so always adjust for case to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "моряк" evoke images of historical figures such as those in the Russian Navy or explorers like Ivan Kruzenshtern. There's a romanticized view of sailors in folklore and literature, often symbolizing adventure, resilience, and the vastness of the sea, as seen in works by writers like Mikhail Lermontov. This cultural connotation can add depth to expressions involving sailors, reflecting Russia's maritime heritage.

Related Concepts:

• корабль (ship)
• море (sea)
• экспедиция (expedition)
• флот (fleet)