Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Spaniard'

English Word: Spaniard

Key Russian Translations:

• Испанец [ɪˈspanʲɪts] - [Formal, Masculine, Singular, Used for a male native or inhabitant of Spain]
• Испанка [ɪˈspanʲkə] - [Formal, Feminine, Singular, Used for a female native or inhabitant of Spain]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions about nationalities, travel, or history, but not everyday casual conversation).

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; straightforward vocabulary for basic introductions to countries and people, though gender agreement may add slight complexity for new learners).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Испанец: [ɪˈspanʲɪts]

Note on Испанец: The stress is on the second syllable. Pay attention to the palatalized 'n' sound ([nʲ]), which is a common feature in Russian and can be tricky for English speakers. A softer pronunciation like "ee-SPAH-nyets" helps.

Испанка: [ɪˈspanʲkə]

Note on Испанка: Similar to Испанец, with stress on the second syllable. The final 'a' is reduced in casual speech, sounding like a schwa.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person from Spain, typically referring to nationality or origin.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Испанец - Used in formal or neutral contexts when referring to a male Spaniard, such as in historical discussions or demographic reports.
• Испанка - Used similarly for a female Spaniard, emphasizing gender agreement in Russian sentences.

Usage Examples:

• Мой друг — испанец, он родился в Мадриде.

  My friend is a Spaniard; he was born in Madrid.

• В музее мы видели портрет известной испанки, художницы Пикассо.

  In the museum, we saw a portrait of a famous Spaniard, the artist Picasso's subject (note: Picasso was male, so this adapts to context).

• Испанцы часто говорят о своей богатой культуре и истории.

  Spaniards often talk about their rich culture and history (plural form used for generalization).

• Она — талантливая испанка, которая работает в международной компании.

  She is a talented Spaniard who works in an international company.

• Во время отпуска я встретил дружелюбного испанца на пляже.

  During my vacation, I met a friendly Spaniard on the beach.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Испанец" and "Испанка" are nouns. "Испанец" is a masculine noun, and "Испанка" is feminine. Russian nouns inflect for case, number, and gender. These words follow standard patterns for nouns ending in consonants (for masculine) and -a (for feminine).

Note: These are regular inflections. For plural forms, they remain consistent across cases with minor adjustments.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Житель Испании (Resident of Spain) - More descriptive, used in formal or legal contexts.
  • Испанский гражданин (Spanish citizen) - Emphasizes legal status rather than cultural identity.
• Antonyms:
  • Иностранец (Foreigners) - General term for non-Spaniards, but not a direct antonym.

Related Phrases:

• Испанский язык - The Spanish language (often used in cultural or educational contexts).
• Из Испании - From Spain (e.g., in travel or origin discussions; meaning: referring to origins).
• Культура испанцев - Culture of the Spaniards (meaning: highlights cultural aspects).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, always match the gender of the person when using "Испанец" for males and "Испанка" for females, as Russian nouns require gender agreement. This differs from English, where "Spaniard" is gender-neutral. Use these terms in formal writing, conversations about demographics, or travel; avoid in very casual slang. When multiple people are involved, switch to plural forms like "Испанцы" for inclusivity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Испанец" for a female. Incorrect: "Она — испанец." Correct: "Она — испанка." Explanation: Russian requires gender-specific nouns, so mismatched gender can confuse native speakers and alter meaning.

• Error: Forgetting inflections in sentences. Incorrect: "Я видел испанец." Correct: "Я видел испанца." Explanation: Nouns must inflect for case (e.g., accusative here), or the sentence will sound grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

The terms "Испанец" and "Испанка" often evoke images of Spain's vibrant culture, including flamenco, bullfighting, and cuisine like paella. Historically, they may carry connotations of the Spanish Empire's influence, which spread to Russia through trade and literature, such as in the works of Pushkin. Be mindful that these terms can sometimes stereotype; in modern usage, emphasize individual identity over national generalizations.

Related Concepts:

• Француз
• Итальянец
• Европейцы