Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sniper'

English Word: sniper

Key Russian Translations:

• снайпер /snajpɛr/ - [Formal, Military context]

Frequency: Medium (Common in military, historical, or action-related discussions, but not everyday casual language)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with basic noun declensions and military vocabulary, per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

снайпер: /snajpɛr/

Note on снайпер: The stress falls on the second syllable ("nay"), and the "й" sound is a soft palatal approximant, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A trained marksman who shoots from concealment, often in military or tactical contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• снайпер - Used primarily in formal, military, or historical contexts to describe a skilled shooter; common in discussions of warfare or strategy.

Usage Examples:

• В армии снайпер должен быть терпеливым и точным в своих выстрелах.

  In the army, a sniper must be patient and accurate in their shots.

• Этот фильм рассказывает о снайпере во Второй мировой войне.

  This film is about a sniper in World War II.

• Снайпер на крыше наблюдал за улицей, готовый к действию.

  The sniper on the roof was observing the street, ready for action.

• Обучение снайпера включает не только стрельбу, но и маскировку.

  Training a sniper involves not only shooting but also camouflage.

• В современном конфликте снайпер может действовать на больших расстояниях.

  In modern conflicts, a sniper can operate at long distances.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Снайпер" is a masculine noun of the first declension in Russian. It follows regular patterns for most cases but is invariant in the plural form in some contexts. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The word is generally regular, but in informal or poetic usage, it may remain unchanged in certain fixed phrases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • стрелок - A general shooter; less specialized than снайпер, often used for any marksman.
  • меткий стрелок - Precise shooter; implies accuracy but not necessarily concealment.
• Antonyms:
  • неприцельный стрелок - Inaccurate shooter; used to contrast with precision shooting.

Related Phrases:

• снайперский выстрел - Sniper shot; refers to a precise, long-range shot in military operations.
• снайперская винтовка - Sniper rifle; a weapon specifically designed for snipers.
• работа снайпера - Sniper's work; implies the overall role and tactics involved.

Usage Notes:

"Снайпер" directly corresponds to the English "sniper" in military contexts, but it is more formal and less commonly used in everyday conversation. English speakers should note that Russian nouns like this one must agree in case, number, and gender with other words in the sentence. For example, choose this term over a more general one like "стрелок" when emphasizing precision and concealment. In non-military contexts, such as video games or metaphors, it retains its formal tone, so avoid it in casual slang.

• Always decline the noun appropriately; e.g., use "снайпера" in genitive case for possession.
• When multiple translations exist, "снайпер" is the most precise for "sniper," while "стрелок" might be used for broader shooting roles.

Common Errors:

English learners often mistake the declension of "снайпер," such as using the nominative form in all cases (e.g., saying "у снайпер" instead of "у снайпера" for "at the sniper"). Correct usage: Incorrect - "Я видел снайпер"; Correct - "Я видел снайпера" (accusative). Another error is confusing it with "стрелок," leading to imprecise meaning; explain the context to choose the right word.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "снайпер" evokes strong historical connotations, particularly from World War II, where figures like Vasily Zaitsev became legendary for their exploits. This term often carries a sense of heroism or stealth in literature and media, reflecting Russia's military history and emphasis on precision in defense.

Related Concepts:

• разведчик (scout)
• воин (warrior)
• тактика (tactics)