Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'seller'

English Word: seller

Key Russian Translations:

• продавец /prɐˈdavʲɪt͡s/ - [Formal, Common noun]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'продавец' is commonly used in everyday contexts like shopping or business, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like 'дом' (house).)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary level; suitable for beginners as it follows standard noun patterns in Russian, per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

продавец: /prɐˈdavʲɪt͡s/

Note on продавец: The stress falls on the second syllable ('da'), and the 'в' sound is softened due to the following 'е'. Pronunciation can vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: A person who sells goods or services.

Translation(s) & Context:

• продавец - Used in formal and informal settings for retail or professional sales, such as in stores or markets. Context: Everyday commerce.

Usage Examples:

• Я работаю продавцом в большом супермаркете.

  I work as a seller in a large supermarket.

• Продавец помог мне выбрать правильный товар.

  The seller helped me choose the right product.

• В этом магазине работает опытный продавец, который знает все о электронике.

  In this store, there is an experienced seller who knows everything about electronics.

• Он стал продавцом после окончания университета.

  He became a seller after graduating from university.

• Продавец на рынке всегда торгуется с покупателями.

  The seller at the market always bargains with buyers.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Продавец' is a masculine noun (2nd declension) and follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns. It changes based on case, number, and gender agreements. Below is a table of its declensions in singular form:

Note: In plural, it becomes 'продавцы' in nominative and follows regular plural declensions. This word does not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вендор (vendor) - More formal, often used in business contexts.
  • торговец (trader) - Implies a more mobile or market-based seller; differs slightly in connotation of bargaining.
• Antonyms:
  • покупатель (buyer) - Refers to someone who purchases goods.
  • клиент (client) - In a service context, the opposite role.

Related Phrases:

• Продавец-консультант - A sales consultant; used in retail for advisory roles.
• Работать продавцом - To work as a seller; common in job descriptions.
• Хороший продавец - A good seller; implies skills in customer service.

Usage Notes:

'Продавец' directly corresponds to 'seller' in English but is more commonly used in Russian for retail and everyday transactions. It is neutral in tone and can be applied in both formal (e.g., professional settings) and informal contexts (e.g., street markets). Always ensure gender agreement; use 'продавщица' for a female seller. When choosing between translations like 'продавец' and 'торговец', opt for 'продавец' in standard retail scenarios and 'торговец' for historical or trading contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'продавец' without proper case agreement, e.g., saying "Я купил от продавец" instead of "Я купил от продавца".

  Correct: "Я купил от продавца" (Genitive case required after prepositions like 'от'). Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change based on grammatical case, which English learners often overlook.

• Error: Confusing with 'покупатель' (buyer), e.g., using 'продавец' when meaning the person buying.

  Correct: Use 'покупатель' for buyer. Explanation: These are antonyms, so mixing them can lead to role reversal in sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'продавец' often embodies the sociable aspect of daily life, especially in markets like those in Moscow or St. Petersburg, where bargaining is a tradition. Historically, sellers in Soviet-era stores were seen as gatekeepers of goods during shortages, adding a layer of cultural significance to the role.

Related Concepts:

• магазин (shop)
• рынок (market)
• клиент (client)