Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stripling'

English Word: stripling

Key Russian Translations:

• юноша [ˈjunəʂə] - [Formal, Literary]
• подросток [pədrɐˈstok] - [Informal, Everyday]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'stripling' is archaic in English, but its Russian equivalents like 'юноша' appear moderately in literature and formal contexts, while 'подросток' is more common in modern usage.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for 'юноша' (due to its formal and literary connotations); A2 (Elementary) for 'подросток' (as it is straightforward and commonly used in everyday language, per CEFR standards).

Pronunciation (Russian):

юноша: [ˈjunəʂə]

подросток: [pədrɐˈstok]

Note on юноша: The 'ʂ' sound is a retroflex fricative, similar to the 'sh' in 'sheep' but more guttural; stress on the first syllable. Variations in regional accents may soften this.

Note on подросток: The 'r' is rolled; stress on the third syllable. Common in spoken Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A young man or boy, often implying youthfulness or inexperience.

Translation(s) & Context:

• юноша - Used in formal, literary, or historical contexts to describe a young male in his teens or early twenties, often with a sense of idealism or naivety.
• подросток - Applied in informal, everyday situations to refer to teenagers or adolescents, emphasizing the transitional phase of youth.

Usage Examples:

• В те времена он был ещё юношей, полным надежд и амбиций.

  In those times, he was still a stripling, full of hopes and ambitions.

• Подросток бродил по улицам, не зная, чем заняться.

  The stripling wandered the streets, not knowing what to do.

• В романе главный герой — юноша, который сталкивается с первыми трудностями взрослой жизни.

  In the novel, the main character is a stripling who faces the first challenges of adult life.

• Её сын, подросток, только что вернулся из школы и был полон энергии.

  Her son, a stripling, had just returned from school and was full of energy.

• Юноша вёл себя неуверенно на собеседовании, как типичный подросток в новом окружении.

  The stripling behaved uncertainly at the interview, like a typical youth in a new environment.

2. Figuratively, a inexperienced or immature person (less common in modern usage).

Translation(s) & Context:

• юноша - In metaphorical contexts, such as literature, to imply youthful folly or inexperience.

Usage Examples:

• Не суди его строго; он всего лишь юноша, ищущий свой путь.

  Don't judge him harshly; he's just a stripling searching for his way.

• В глазах общества он остался юношей, несмотря на свои достижения.

  In society's eyes, he remained a stripling despite his accomplishments.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'юноша' and 'подросток' are masculine nouns in Russian. 'Юноша' follows the first declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, while 'подросток' is also masculine but may show irregularities in certain forms.

Note: These nouns do not change for gender but inflect regularly by case and number. 'Подросток' can be used in plural forms more flexibly in casual speech.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • парень (guy, more informal)
  • мальчик (boy, emphasizing childhood)
  • юнец (youth, with a connotation of inexperience)
• Antonyms:
  • старик (old man, implying age and experience)
  • взрослый (adult, contrasting with youth)

Note: 'Парень' is often used in casual contexts, while 'юнец' carries a slightly pejorative tone for a naive young person.

Related Phrases:

• Молодой юноша — A young stripling; used to emphasize youth and potential in formal descriptions.
• Подростковый возраст — The age of a stripling; refers to the teenage years in educational or psychological contexts.
• Юношеский максимализм — Stripling maximalism; an idiomatic phrase for the idealism of youth, often with a humorous or critical undertone.

Usage Notes:

'Stripling' is an archaic English term that directly corresponds to 'юноша' in formal or literary Russian, but 'подросток' is preferred in modern, everyday language for its neutrality. Use 'юноша' in contexts like historical novels or poetry to evoke a sense of tradition, but avoid it in casual conversation to prevent sounding outdated. Grammatically, both nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying adjectives or verbs. When choosing between translations, opt for 'подросток' for literal descriptions of teenagers and 'юноша' for more poetic or idealized portrayals.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'юноша' with 'молодой человек' (young man): Learners might overuse 'юноша' in informal settings. Error: "Он юноша в парке" (incorrectly formal). Correct: "Он подросток в парке" for casual use. Explanation: 'Юноша' is better for literary contexts, while 'подросток' fits everyday scenarios.

• Misinflecting the noun: Forgetting case changes, e.g., using nominative 'юноша' in genitive contexts. Error: "Книги юноша" (instead of "Книги юноши"). Correct: Ensure proper declension as per the table above. Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, which English learners often overlook due to English's lack of declensions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'юноша' often carry romantic or heroic connotations from literature (e.g., in works by Pushkin or Tolstoy), symbolizing the idealism of youth. This reflects a historical emphasis on coming-of-age stories, where a 'stripling' represents potential and vulnerability, contrasting with Western portrayals that might focus more on rebellion.

Related Concepts:

• молодежь (youth as a group)
• подрастающее поколение (rising generation)
• юность (youthfulness)