Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'soldier'

English Word: soldier

Key Russian Translations:

• Солдат (/sɐlˈdat/) - [Formal, Common military context]

Frequency: High (This word is commonly used in everyday language, especially in discussions about military, history, or news.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic noun with straightforward usage in Russian vocabulary.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Солдат: /sɐlˈdat/ (The stress is on the second syllable; the "о" is pronounced as a short "o" sound, similar to "suh" in "sudden".)

Note on Солдат: Be cautious with the soft "л" sound, which can be tricky for English speakers; it's softer than in English words. Variations may occur in regional dialects, but standard Russian uses this pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A member of the armed forces, typically enlisted personnel in the army.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Солдат - Used in formal and informal contexts to refer to a rank-and-file soldier in the military, often in historical or modern discussions. (e.g., In military narratives or news reports.)

Usage Examples:

• Русский солдат bravely defended the border during the war. (Russian sentence: Русский солдат мужественно защищал границу во время войны.)

  English Translation: The Russian soldier bravely defended the border during the war. (This example shows the word in a historical context, emphasizing heroism.)

• Young soldiers are training in the barracks. (Russian sentence: Молодые солдаты тренируются в казармах.)

  English Translation: Young soldiers are training in the barracks. (This illustrates the plural form in a contemporary military setting.)

• The soldier received a medal for his service. (Russian sentence: Солдат получил медаль за свою службу.)

  English Translation: The soldier received a medal for his service. (Here, it demonstrates the word in a formal recognition context.)

• In the story, the soldier returns home after years away. (Russian sentence: В истории солдат возвращается домой после многих лет отсутствия.)

  English Translation: In the story, the soldier returns home after years away. (This example shows usage in narrative literature.)

• Soldiers from different units marched together. (Russian sentence: Солдаты из разных частей маршировали вместе.)

  English Translation: Soldiers from different units marched together. (This highlights the word in a group or collective context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Солдат" is a masculine noun in Russian, and it follows the standard second declension pattern for nouns ending in a consonant. It has regular inflections for cases and numbers, with no irregularities. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: The word does not change in gender but inflects regularly based on case and number, which is typical for Russian masculine nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Воин (/vɐˈin/) - More poetic or general term for a warrior, often used in historical contexts.
  • Боец (/bɐˈjɛts/) - Emphasizes a fighter, commonly in combat or sports contexts, with a slight connotation of active engagement.
• Antonyms:
  • Гражданский (/ɡrɐʐˈdɐnskʲɪj/) - Refers to a civilian, highlighting non-military status.
  • Пацифист (/pət͡sɨˈfist/) - Means pacifist, indicating opposition to war or military service.

Related Phrases:

• Армейский солдат - Army soldier (This phrase specifies a soldier in the context of the regular army, often used in military discussions.)
• Боевой солдат - Combat soldier (Refers to a soldier involved in active fighting, emphasizing frontline roles.)
• Солдат удачи - Soldier of fortune (An idiomatic expression for a mercenary, carrying connotations of adventure or risk.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "солдат" directly corresponds to the English "soldier" but is most commonly used for enlisted personnel rather than officers. It is neutral in tone and can be applied in both formal (e.g., official documents) and informal contexts (e.g., casual conversations). When choosing between translations like "солдат" and "воин", opt for "солдат" in military-specific scenarios for accuracy. Grammatically, always pay attention to case endings to match the sentence structure, as Russian is a highly inflected language.

• Scene restrictions: Avoid using it in non-military contexts unless metaphorical.
• Multiple translations: "Воин" might be preferred in literary or historical texts for a more epic feel.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse case endings, such as using the nominative "солдат" in places where the genitive "солдата" is needed. For example:

• Incorrect: Я видел солдат (intended to mean "I saw the soldier's hat" – this is wrong because it implies multiple soldiers).
• Correct: Я видел шапку солдата (Proper use of genitive to show possession).
• Explanation: Russian requires precise case agreement; confusing nominative with genitive can alter the meaning entirely.

Another common mistake is overgeneralizing to include officers, where "офицер" should be used instead.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "солдат" often evokes strong historical and patriotic connotations, particularly linked to events like World War II (known as the Great Patriotic War). Soldiers are frequently portrayed as heroes in literature, films, and national holidays, reflecting Russia's military history and emphasis on defense. This can add emotional weight to the word in conversations or media.

Related Concepts:

• Офицер (Officer)
• Генерал (General)
• Армия (Army)