Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sociologist'

English Word: sociologist

Key Russian Translations:

• социолог [ˈsotsiəlɐɡ] - [Formal, used in academic and professional contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This term is commonly encountered in academic, professional, and intellectual discussions but less so in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with professional vocabulary and basic Russian grammar, as it is a specialized term in social sciences.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

социолог: [ˈsotsiəlɐɡ]

Note on социолог: The stress is on the first syllable. The "о" in the second syllable may soften to [ə] in fast speech, which is common in Russian. Pay attention to the hard "г" sound at the end.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who studies society, social behavior, and social institutions through research and analysis.

Translation(s) & Context:

• социолог - Used in formal academic, professional, or journalistic contexts to refer to an expert in sociology, often in discussions about social issues or research.

Usage Examples:

• Он — известный социолог, который изучает влияние урбанизации на социальные структуры.

  He is a well-known sociologist who studies the impact of urbanization on social structures.

• В Москве работает команда социологов, анализирующих изменения в общественном мнении.

  In Moscow, a team of sociologists is analyzing changes in public opinion.

• Чтобы стать социологом, ей пришлось получить степень в социологии и провести несколько полевых исследований.

  To become a sociologist, she had to earn a degree in sociology and conduct several field studies.

• Социолог на конференции представил данные о демографических тенденциях в России.

  The sociologist presented data on demographic trends in Russia at the conference.

• Молодой социолог пишет книгу о культурных различиях в современном обществе.

  The young sociologist is writing a book about cultural differences in modern society.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Социолог" is a masculine noun (second declension) that follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns. It is invariable in terms of gender but changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The plural forms are used when referring to multiple sociologists. This noun does not have irregular inflections, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • социальный исследователь (social researcher) - More general term, often used interchangeably but emphasizes research aspect.
  • специалист по социологии (specialist in sociology) - Highlights expertise without implying full-time profession.
• Antonyms:
  • антисоциальный элемент (antisocial element) - Refers to individuals or behaviors that oppose social norms, contrasting the constructive role of a sociologist.

Related Phrases:

• социологическая теория (sociological theory) - A framework used to explain social phenomena, often discussed in academic settings.
• социологический анализ (sociological analysis) - The process of examining social issues, commonly applied in research reports.
• работа социолога (work of a sociologist) - Refers to the professional activities involved in studying society.

Usage Notes:

"Социолог" directly corresponds to the English "sociologist" and is typically used in formal contexts such as academia, journalism, or professional discussions. It is a noun that should be inflected according to Russian case requirements (e.g., use the genitive case after prepositions like "of"). Be cautious when distinguishing it from the adjective "социологический" (sociological), which describes related concepts. In everyday Russian, this term is more common in educated or urban speech; for general audiences, simpler phrases like "специалист по обществу" might be used. When choosing between synonyms, opt for "социолог" in precise, professional contexts to maintain accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "социолог" with "социальный": English learners often misuse "социальный" (meaning "social" as an adjective) when they intend to say "социолог". For example, an incorrect sentence might be: "Он социальный" (meaning "He is social"), which doesn't convey the profession. Correct usage: "Он — социолог" (He is a sociologist). This error stems from direct word-for-word translation; always ensure the context requires a noun for profession.

• Forgetting inflections: Learners might say "Я встретил социолог" instead of the correct accusative form "Я встретил социолога". Explanation: Russian nouns change based on case, so always adjust for grammar to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, sociology has been influenced by historical events like the Soviet era, where figures such as Pitirim Sorokin contributed to global sociology. The term "социолог" often carries connotations of intellectual critique of society, reflecting Russia's tradition of social commentary in literature and philosophy. For instance, it may evoke discussions on collectivism versus individualism, which are prominent in Russian social thought.

Related Concepts:

• социология (sociology)
• антропология (anthropology)
• психология (psychology)
• культурология (cultural studies)