Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'smoker'

English Word: smoker

Key Russian Translations:

• курильщик /kuˈrilʲɕːik/ - [Informal; commonly used in everyday contexts to refer to a person who smokes tobacco]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly encountered in health, social, and daily conversation contexts, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this CEFR level should grasp it with some exposure to Russian nouns and their declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

курильщик: /kuˈrilʲɕːik/

Note on курильщик: The stress is on the second syllable ("ri"). Be cautious with the palatalized 'l' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person who habitually smokes tobacco or cigarettes.

Translation(s) & Context:

• курильщик - Used in informal and formal settings to describe someone addicted to smoking, often in health-related discussions or social observations.

Usage Examples:

• Он курильщик с двадцатилетним стажем, но планирует бросить.

  He is a smoker with twenty years of experience, but he plans to quit.

• В этом кафе много курильщиков, поэтому воздух всегда затхлый.

  In this cafe, there are many smokers, so the air is always stale.

• Моя сестра - заядлый курильщик, несмотря на все предупреждения врачей.

  My sister is an avid smoker, despite all the doctors' warnings.

• Курильщик в парке нарушил правила и закурил рядом с детьми.

  The smoker in the park broke the rules and lit up near the children.

• Как опытный курильщик, он знает, как выбрать лучшие сигареты.

  As an experienced smoker, he knows how to choose the best cigarettes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Курильщик is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows regular noun declension patterns, with changes based on case and number. As a common noun, it inflects for grammatical case but does not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • куритель (more formal or literary, often implying a smoker in a social setting)
  • сигаретник (informal, emphasizing cigarette smoking specifically)
• Antonyms:
  • некурящий (non-smoker; used to describe someone who does not smoke)

Related Phrases:

• пассивный курильщик - Passive smoker; refers to someone exposed to second-hand smoke without smoking themselves.
• завзятый курильщик - Avid or hardcore smoker; implies a strong habit or addiction.
• бросить курить (with курильщик implied) - To quit smoking; a common phrase in health contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "курильщик" directly corresponds to the English "smoker" as a noun for a person who smokes, but it is gendered and must agree with the subject in case and number. Use it in informal conversations about habits or health, but avoid in very formal writing where more neutral terms might be preferred. When choosing between synonyms like "куритель," opt for "курильщик" in everyday contexts for its straightforwardness. Be aware of cultural sensitivities around smoking in Russia, where it remains prevalent despite regulations.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел курильщик" instead of "Я видел курильщика" (accusative case).

  Correct: Я видел курильщика. Explanation: In Russian, the direct object requires the accusative case, so the noun must inflect accordingly to avoid grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing with feminine forms, e.g., using "курильщица" for a male smoker.

  Correct: Use "курильщик" for males and "курильщица" for females. Explanation: Russian nouns are gendered, so match the gender of the person being described to prevent misuse.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, smoking has historically been widespread, often associated with social bonding or stress relief, as seen in literature and films. However, with increasing health awareness and anti-smoking laws (e.g., restrictions in public spaces), "курильщик" carries connotations of both habit and potential health risks, reflecting broader societal shifts towards healthier lifestyles.

Related Concepts:

• сигарета (cigarette)
• табак (tobacco)
• некурящий (non-smoking)