Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stickler'

English Word: stickler

Key Russian Translations:

• приверженец /prʲɪvʲɪrˈʐɛnʲɛts/ - [Formal; used for someone who strictly adheres to rules or principles]
• придирка /prʲɪˈdʲi rkə/ - [Informal; implies a more critical or nitpicky person]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in formal writing and discussions, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual nuances for accurate use)

Pronunciation (Russian):

приверженец: /prʲɪvʲɪrˈʐɛnʲɛts/

Note on приверженец: The stress falls on the third syllable ("ʐɛnʲɛts"), which can be tricky for beginners due to the soft consonants. Pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech.

придирка: /prʲɪˈdʲi rkə/

Note on придирка: The initial "prʲ" sound is palatalized, a common feature in Russian that English speakers might confuse with a simple "p".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who insists on exactness or adherence to rules

Translation(s) & Context:

• приверженец - Used in formal contexts, such as professional or ideological discussions, to describe someone dedicated to precision (e.g., in a workplace setting).
• придирка - Applied in informal everyday conversations, often with a negative connotation, to refer to someone overly critical (e.g., in family or social interactions).

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда был приверженцем точности в своей работе, что помогало избегать ошибок.

  He was always a stickler for accuracy in his work, which helped avoid mistakes.

• Моя бабушка — настоящая придирка, она проверяет каждую мелочь в доме.

  My grandmother is a real stickler; she checks every little detail in the house.

• В этой компании ценят приверженцев правил, поэтому дисциплина на высоте.

  In this company, they value sticklers for rules, so discipline is at a high level.

• Не будь такой придиркой; иногда стоит закрывать глаза на мелкие недостатки.

  Don't be such a stickler; sometimes it's worth overlooking minor flaws.

• Как приверженец традиций, он настаивал на строгом соблюдении ритуалов.

  As a stickler for traditions, he insisted on strict adherence to rituals.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are nouns. "Приверженец" is a masculine noun (2nd declension), which undergoes regular inflection based on case and number. "Придирка" is a feminine noun (1st declension) with standard feminine endings.

Note: These follow regular Russian declension patterns with no irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: сторонник (more general supporter, often interchangeable in formal contexts), ревнитель (implies greater zeal, with a slightly more intense connotation)
• Antonyms: индифферентный (indifferent person), равнодушный (apathetic individual; highlights the opposite of strict adherence)

Related Phrases:

• Быть приверженцем чего-то - To be a stickler for something; used to express dedication to a principle or detail.
• Придирка к мелочам - A stickler for trifles; refers to excessive attention to minor details, often in a negative light.
• Строгий приверженец традиций - A strict stickler for traditions; emphasizes cultural or historical adherence.

Usage Notes:

"Приверженец" directly corresponds to "stickler" in formal English contexts, such as professional or ethical scenarios, and is preferred when the connotation is positive or neutral. In contrast, "придирка" aligns more with a negative or informal sense, similar to "nitpicker" in English. Be mindful of the gender and case when using these words in sentences—always decline them according to the grammatical context. For multiple translations, choose based on tone: use "приверженец" for structured environments and "придирка" for casual criticism. This helps avoid awkward phrasing in Russian communication.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "приверженец" in informal settings where "придирка" is more appropriate, e.g., saying "Он приверженец в семье" instead of "Он придирка в семье". Correct: "придирка" for family contexts to convey criticism. Explanation: "Приверженец" sounds overly formal and may confuse listeners, as it implies ideological dedication rather than everyday pickiness.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun, e.g., using "приверженец" in the genitive case as "приверженец" instead of "приверженца". Correct: "работа приверженца" (the work of a stickler). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, and neglecting this can make sentences grammatically incorrect and hard to understand for native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, being a "stickler" like a "приверженец" is often viewed positively in fields such as education, military, or bureaucracy, where precision is valued as a sign of reliability. However, "придирка" might carry a negative stereotype, reminiscent of Soviet-era strictness, where excessive criticism was common in daily life. This reflects broader cultural emphasis on discipline versus personal freedom.

Related Concepts:

• ревность
• последовательность
• строгость