Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'supplier'

English Word: supplier

Key Russian Translations:

• поставщик [pɐˈstavʂɨk] - [Formal, Business Context]
• снабженец [snɐˈbʐɨnʲɛts] - [Informal, Less Common, Used in Everyday or Historical Contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in business and commercial discussions, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic business vocabulary; for 'снабженец', it might be B2 due to its less frequent and more nuanced usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

поставщик: [pɐˈstavʂɨk]

снабженец: [snɐˈbʐɨnʲɛts]

Note on поставщик: The 'щ' sound (as in [ʂ]) can be challenging for English speakers; it's a voiceless retroflex fricative, similar to 'sh' but more retracted. Pronounce it with a slight hiss.

Note on снабженец: The 'ж' sound (as in [ʐ]) is a voiced retroflex fricative; it's softer than English 'zh' in 'measure' and may vary by dialect.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person, company, or entity that provides goods, services, or materials to another party, often in a business context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• поставщик - Used in formal business, trade, or supply chain discussions, such as in contracts or logistics.
• снабженец - Applied in informal or historical contexts, like wartime supply roles, but less common in modern business.

Usage Examples:

• Мы сотрудничаем с надежным поставщиком из Китая.

  We collaborate with a reliable supplier from China. (Demonstrates use in international trade contexts.)

• Поставщик опоздал с доставкой, что вызвало задержки в производстве.

  The supplier was late with the delivery, which caused delays in production. (Shows use in supply chain issues.)

• В нашей компании есть несколько поставщиков, которые обеспечивают качество материалов.

  In our company, there are several suppliers who ensure the quality of materials. (Illustrates plural and business management.)

• Снабженец в армии отвечает за распределение продовольствия.

  The supplier in the army is responsible for distributing food. (Highlights historical or military context for 'снабженец'.)

Meaning 2: In a broader sense, someone who supplies resources or support, not limited to business (e.g., in informal or metaphorical use).

Translation(s) & Context:

• поставщик - Can be used metaphorically, e.g., in education or community settings, but remains formal.
• снабженец - Rarely used here, but could apply in informal narratives.

Usage Examples:

• Интернет стал основным поставщиком информации для современного общества.

  The internet has become the main supplier of information for modern society. (Metaphorical use in technology contexts.)

• Мой друг выступает в роли снабженца для нашей группы туристов.

  My friend acts as the supplier for our group of tourists. (Informal, everyday context for 'снабженец'.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'поставщик' and 'снабженец' are masculine nouns in Russian, belonging to the second declension. They follow standard noun inflection patterns for case, number, and gender. 'Поставщик' is more commonly used and has regular inflections, while 'снабженец' is similar but less frequent.

Note: These nouns do not change for gender as they are inherently masculine, and their inflections are regular, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • производитель (producer) - Often interchangeable in manufacturing contexts, but implies creation rather than supply.
  • продавец (seller) - Used for retail suppliers; has a more transactional connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • покупатель (buyer) - Directly opposes in commercial transactions.
  • потребитель (consumer) - Refers to the end-user, contrasting with the provider role.

Related Phrases:

• Надежный поставщик - A reliable supplier; Used in business to emphasize trustworthiness.
• Локальный поставщик - A local supplier; Common in discussions about regional sourcing.
• Глобальный цепочка поставок - Global supply chain; A phrase involving the concept, often in logistics.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'поставщик' is the most direct and formal equivalent to 'supplier' in English, especially in professional settings like business contracts or import/export. It corresponds closely to the English term but may imply a more structured, long-term relationship. Use 'снабженец' sparingly, as it's outdated and context-specific (e.g., military or historical narratives). Be mindful of case inflections when constructing sentences; for example, in prepositional phrases, it changes to 'поставщике'. When choosing between translations, opt for 'поставщик' in modern contexts and consider the audience's familiarity with Russian business jargon.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'поставщик' with 'производитель' and using it incorrectly in sentences. For example, learners might say "производитель товаров" when meaning "supplier of goods," implying the entity makes the goods rather than just supplies them.

  Correct Usage: Use 'поставщик товаров' to specify a supplier. Explanation: 'Производитель' means 'manufacturer,' so it's not a perfect synonym; this mistake can lead to miscommunication in business discussions.

• Error: Forgetting case changes, e.g., saying "с поставщик" instead of "с поставщиком" in instrumental case.

  Correct Usage: Always adjust for case, as in "Я работаю с поставщиком" (I work with a supplier). Explanation: Russian requires grammatical agreement, which English speakers often overlook, leading to ungrammatical sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and business, the concept of a 'поставщик' often emphasizes reliability and long-term partnerships, influenced by historical Soviet-era supply systems. For instance, during the USSR, state-controlled suppliers were central to the economy, which can add a layer of connotation in modern contexts, implying bureaucracy or dependability.

Related Concepts:

• клиент (client)
• производство (production)
• логистика (logistics)