Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scholar'

English Word: scholar

Key Russian Translations:

• учёный [uˈtɕonɨj] - [Formal, used for an academic or learned person]
• стипендиат [stʲipʲɪnˈdʲat] - [Formal, specific to a recipient of a scholarship or grant]

Frequency: Medium (Common in academic, scientific, and educational contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and formal vocabulary; for 'стипендиат', it may be B1 due to its more straightforward usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

учёный: [uˈtɕonɨj]

Note on учёный: The stress falls on the first syllable ('u'). The 'ё' sound is a distinct mid-front rounded vowel, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like 'yo' in "yoga" but shorter.

стипендиат: [stʲipʲɪnˈdʲat]

Note on стипендиат: The 'щ' in related words can soften, but here it's straightforward; stress on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A learned person, especially in academia or research.

Translation(s) & Context:

• учёный - Used in formal or professional contexts, such as scientific discussions or biographies, to refer to experts in fields like science or humanities.
• стипендиат - Applied in educational or funding-related contexts, like scholarships, but less common for general scholars.

Usage Examples:

• Он является известным учёным в области истории.

  He is a famous scholar in the field of history.

• Эта книга написана выдающимся учёным из России.

  This book was written by a prominent scholar from Russia.

• Молодой учёный представил своё исследование на конференции.

  The young scholar presented his research at the conference.

• Учёный получил грант за свои открытия в биологии.

  The scholar received a grant for his discoveries in biology.

• Как учёный, она часто публикует статьи в научных журналах.

  As a scholar, she frequently publishes articles in scientific journals.

Meaning 2: A recipient of a scholarship or financial aid for education.

Translation(s) & Context:

• стипендиат - Used in contexts involving education, grants, or fellowships, often in formal or bureaucratic settings.
• учёный - Occasionally used, but less precise; better for intellectual pursuits rather than financial aid.

Usage Examples:

• Она стала стипендиатом престижной программы обмена.

  She became a scholar in a prestigious exchange program.

• Стипендиат университета получил возможность учиться за границей.

  The university scholar got the opportunity to study abroad.

• Молодой стипендиат работает над докторской диссертацией.

  The young scholar is working on his doctoral dissertation.

• Как стипендиат, он обязан отчитываться о своих достижениях.

  As a scholar, he is required to report on his achievements.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'учёный' and 'стипендиат' are masculine nouns in Russian and follow standard declension patterns. 'Учёный' is an adjective-derived noun and inflects irregularly in some cases, while 'стипендиат' is more regular.

Note: 'Учёный' has an irregular plural form and can vary by context; it is invariant in some adjectival uses.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ученый (similar to учёный, often interchangeable)
  • исследователь (researcher; emphasizes active investigation)
  • академик (academic; more formal, often for high-level scholars)
• Antonyms:
  • неуч (ignoramus; implies lack of knowledge)
  • дилетант (dilettante; someone without expertise)

Related Phrases:

• Известный учёный - Famous scholar (Used in biographical or media contexts to highlight reputation)
• Молодой стипендиат - Young scholar (Refers to emerging talents in academia)
• Учёный мир - The world of scholars (Describes the academic community as a whole)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'учёный' corresponds closely to the English 'scholar' in academic contexts but carries a connotation of deep expertise, often in sciences. Use 'стипендиат' for financial or educational aid scenarios. Be mindful of formal register; these words are rare in casual speech. When choosing between translations, opt for 'учёный' for intellectual pursuits and 'стипендиат' for scholarship recipients. Grammatically, both nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with surrounding elements.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'учёный' with 'ученик' (student): English learners might mistakenly use 'ученик' for 'scholar', but 'ученик' means a pupil or learner, not an expert. Correct usage: Say "Он учёный" instead of "Он ученик" for "He is a scholar".

• Improper declension: Forgetting to change the ending in sentences, e.g., saying "Я встретил учёный" instead of "Я встретил учёного" in accusative case. Explanation: Russian nouns must decline based on case; always check the context.

• Overusing in informal settings: Learners might use 'учёный' in casual talk, but it's better reserved for formal writing. Correct: In everyday speech, describe someone as "эксперт" if needed.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'учёный' often evokes respect for intellectuals like those in the Soviet era, such as physicists or mathematicians who contributed to national pride. Terms like 'академик' are tied to the Russian Academy of Sciences, reflecting a historical emphasis on science and education as pillars of society.

Related Concepts:

• академия
• исследование
• доктор наук