Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sargeant'

English Word: sargeant

Key Russian Translations:

• сержант [ˈsʲerʐənt] - [Formal, Military Context]

Frequency: Medium (Common in military, historical, or formal contexts, but not everyday conversation).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of military terminology and Russian noun declensions, per CEFR standards).

Pronunciation (Russian):

сержант: [ˈsʲerʐənt]

Note on сержант: The stress is on the first syllable. The "ж" sound is a voiced palatal fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the "s" in "measure" but softer.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Military rank equivalent to a non-commissioned officer.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сержант - Used in formal military or historical contexts to denote a sergeant rank in the Russian armed forces or equivalent structures.

Usage Examples:

• Русский солдат был повышен до сержанта за храбрость в бою.

  English Translation: The Russian soldier was promoted to sergeant for bravery in battle.

• Сержант приказал отряду подготовиться к маршу.

  English Translation: The sergeant ordered the squad to prepare for the march.

• В исторических фильмах сержант часто изображается как лидер подразделения.

  English Translation: In historical films, the sergeant is often depicted as the leader of a unit.

• Молодой сержант обучал новобранцев основам тактики.

  English Translation: The young sergeant was training the recruits in basic tactics.

• Сержант армии РФ участвовал в параде на Красной площади.

  English Translation: The sergeant of the Russian Army participated in the parade on Red Square.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Сержант" is a masculine noun (second declension in Russian). It follows regular noun declension patterns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declensions are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: ефрейтор (efreitor - a lower rank, similar to corporal), старшина (starshina - a senior non-commissioned officer; subtle difference in authority and responsibilities).
• Antonyms: лейтенант (leytenant - lieutenant, a higher officer rank), рядовой (ryadovoy - private, a lower enlisted rank).

Related Phrases:

• Сержант запаса - A reserve sergeant; used for military personnel not on active duty.
• Младший сержант - Junior sergeant; denotes a lower level within the sergeant ranks.
• Сержант государственной службы - Sergeant in state service; refers to non-military applications, like in police forces, with a connotation of public duty.

Usage Notes:

In English, "sergeant" directly corresponds to "сержант" in Russian military contexts, but be aware that Russian usage is primarily formal and tied to the armed forces. It's not commonly used in everyday informal speech. When translating, choose "сержант" for military ranks, and consider the context to avoid confusion with other ranks. Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian case rules, as shown in the inflections table. For multiple translations, "сержант" is the most precise; alternatives like "старшина" might be used for nuanced seniority.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "сержант" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я видел сержант" instead of "Я видел сержанта" (accusative case).

  Correct: "Я видел сержанта." Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case; this mistake often occurs due to English's lack of declensions, leading to incomplete sentences.

• Error: Confusing it with higher ranks, e.g., translating "sergeant" as "лейтенант."

  Correct: Use "сержант" for sergeant-level; "лейтенант" is for officers. Explanation: This stems from overlooking rank hierarchies, which can alter meaning in military discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "сержант" carries historical significance from the Soviet era and modern Russian military, often symbolizing discipline and leadership in films and literature like those by Leo Tolstoy. It reflects the structured hierarchy of the armed forces, which is deeply ingrained in Russian society, especially during national events like Victory Day parades.

Related Concepts:

• офицер (officer)
• солдат (soldier)
• армия (army)