Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'singer'

English Word: singer

Key Russian Translations:

• певец [ˈpʲevʲɪt͡s] - [Informal, Masculine, Used for male singers in general contexts]
• певица [ˈpʲevʲɪt͡sə] - [Informal, Feminine, Used for female singers in general contexts]

Frequency: High (This word and its variants are commonly used in everyday Russian, especially in media, music, and casual conversations.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it involves basic vocabulary and gender agreement, which are introduced early in Russian language learning.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

певец: [ˈpʲevʲɪt͡s]

певица: [ˈpʲevʲɪt͡sə]

Note on певец: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'п' is palatalized, which can be tricky for beginners. Pronounce it with a soft 'ye' sound.

Note on певица: Similar to певец, but ends with a soft 'a' sound; pay attention to the feminine ending for gender accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who sings, especially professionally or as a performer.

Translation(s) & Context:

• певец - Used in contexts involving male singers, such as in concerts, opera, or popular music; common in formal and informal settings.
• певица - Used for female singers; often appears in discussions of music genres, biographies, or performances.

Usage Examples:

• Он — известный певец, который выступает на международных фестивалях.

  He is a famous singer who performs at international festivals.

• Моя сестра мечтает стать певицей и записать свой первый альбом.

  My sister dreams of becoming a singer and recording her first album.

• В опере главную роль исполняет талантливый певец из России.

  In the opera, the lead role is performed by a talented singer from Russia.

• Певицы на концерте пели народные песни, завораживая аудиторию.

  The singers at the concert were singing folk songs, captivating the audience.

• Молодой певец выиграл конкурс талантов и подписал контракт с лейблом.

  The young singer won a talent competition and signed a contract with a label.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "певец" (masculine noun) and "певица" (feminine noun) follow standard Russian declension patterns. "Певец" is a second-declension masculine noun, while "певица" is a first-declension feminine noun. They change based on case, number, and gender agreement.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners, but always ensure gender and case agreement with surrounding words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: артист (artist, with a broader connotation); вокалист (vocalist, more specific to singing styles)
• Note: "Вокалист" is often used in modern contexts like rock or pop, while "певец" is more traditional.
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "singer" is a neutral profession. However, in some contexts, "немой" (mute) could imply the opposite ability, though it's not a true antonym.

Related Phrases:

• Популярный певец - A popular singer; used in media to describe celebrities.
• Оперный певец - An opera singer; common in cultural discussions.
• Народный певец - A folk singer; refers to performers of traditional music, often with cultural significance.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, always match the gender of the singer with the appropriate translation: use "певец" for males and "певица" for females to ensure grammatical accuracy. This mirrors English gender-neutrality but requires explicit agreement in sentences. For example, in formal writing or speech, you might specify the type of singer (e.g., "оперный певец" for an opera singer). Beginners should practice with adjectives and verbs that agree in gender and case to avoid errors.

• Contextual tip: In professional settings, like biographies, these words are straightforward, but in casual talk, they can be combined with other descriptors for nuance.
• Choice guidance: If the gender is unknown, default to "певец" in generic contexts, but clarify when possible.

Common Errors:

One common mistake for English learners is using "певец" for female singers or vice versa, leading to gender agreement errors. For example:

• Incorrect: "Она — певец." (This implies a male singer, which mismatches the subject.)
• Correct: "Она — певица." (Properly uses the feminine form.)
• Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, so always check the subject's gender before selecting the word. Another error is forgetting case changes, e.g., saying "о певец" instead of "о певце" in the prepositional case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, singers like Fyodor Chaliapin or modern stars like Alla Pugacheva hold significant cultural status. The word "певец" often evokes images of national pride, especially in opera or folk music, which are deeply tied to Russia's artistic heritage. Understanding these terms can enhance appreciation for Russian music festivals and traditions.

Related Concepts:

• музыкант (musician)
• композитор (composer)
• артист (artist)