Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scientist'

English Word: scientist

Key Russian Translations:

• учёный [ˈut͡ɕɪnɨj] - [Formal, commonly used in academic and scientific contexts]
• научный работник [naˈut͡ɕnɨj raˈbotnʲik] - [Formal, more specific to professional or institutional roles]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in educational, scientific, and media discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it requires understanding basic noun declensions; for 'учёный', it's straightforward, but 'научный работник' may involve compound phrases)

Pronunciation (Russian):

учёный: [ˈut͡ɕɪnɨj]

научный работник: [naˈut͡ɕnɨj raˈbotnʲik]

Note on учёный: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'ё' sound is a distinct mid-front rounded vowel, which can be tricky for English speakers; it may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who is studying or has expert knowledge in one or more of the natural or physical sciences.

Translation(s) & Context:

• учёный - Used in formal contexts like academic papers, news, or discussions about research; implies a broad, respected figure in science.
• научный работник - Applied in professional settings, such as institutions or workplaces, emphasizing employment in scientific fields.

Usage Examples:

• Известный учёный из России выиграл Нобелевскую премию.

  The famous scientist from Russia won the Nobel Prize.

• Молодой учёный проводит эксперименты в лаборатории.

  The young scientist is conducting experiments in the laboratory.

• В университете преподаёт опытный научный работник.

  An experienced scientist teaches at the university.

• Группа учёных объединилась для решения глобальных проблем.

  A group of scientists united to solve global problems.

• Какой-то научный работник представил доклад на конференции.

  Some scientist presented a report at the conference.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'учёный' is a masculine noun (2nd declension) and follows standard Russian adjective-derived noun patterns with regular inflections. 'научный работник' is a compound phrase where 'научный' is an adjective and 'работник' is a masculine noun.

For 'научный работник', inflect 'работник' similarly as a masculine noun, while 'научный' agrees in case, number, and gender (e.g., Genitive: научного работника).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • исследователь (researcher; more focused on active investigation)
  • специалист (specialist; broader, but in scientific contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • неуч (ignoramus; informal, implies lack of knowledge)
  • любитель (amateur; someone without professional expertise)

Related Phrases:

• выдающийся учёный - Eminent scientist (used to describe highly accomplished individuals).
• научный сотрудник - Scientific employee (similar to 'researcher' in a team setting).
• работать учёным - To work as a scientist (a common phrase for career contexts).

Usage Notes:

'Учёный' directly corresponds to 'scientist' in English but carries a more formal, intellectual connotation in Russian, often implying respect or expertise. Use 'научный работник' for professional or bureaucratic contexts, such as job titles. Be mindful of declensions based on sentence structure; for example, in prepositional phrases, it changes to 'об учёном' (about the scientist). When multiple translations exist, choose based on context: 'учёный' for general use and 'научный работник' for employment-related discussions.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Forgetting to decline the noun, e.g., saying "о учёный" instead of "о учёном" in prepositional case.
  Correct: Use the proper form, like "Я читаю книгу о учёном" (I am reading a book about the scientist). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, which English speakers often overlook.
• Mistake: Confusing with 'ученик' (student), leading to misuse like "ученик" for 'scientist'.
  Correct: Use 'учёный' for a professional scientist. Explanation: 'Ученик' means learner or pupil, so context is key to avoid semantic errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, scientists like Dmitri Mendeleev (the periodic table) or Igor Sikorsky hold iconic status, symbolizing national pride in innovation. The word 'учёный' often evokes images of intellectual heroes from Soviet-era science, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on scientific achievement during the Space Race.

Related Concepts:

• наука (science)
• лаборатория (laboratory)
• исследование (research)