Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'talebearer'

English Word: talebearer

Key Russian Translations:

• сплетник [ˈspʲlʲetnʲik] - [Informal, Masculine]
• сплетница [ˈspʲlʲetnʲitsə] - [Informal, Feminine]
• болтун [bɐlˈtun] - [Informal, General]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations about social behavior but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of Russian noun genders and informal contexts; for 'болтун', it remains B1, but 'сплетник' may feel slightly easier due to its direct correspondence).

Pronunciation (Russian):

сплетник: [ˈspʲlʲetnʲik]

сплетница: [ˈspʲlʲetnʲitsə]

болтун: [bɐlˈtun]

Note on сплетник: The stress is on the first syllable; be cautious with the palatalized 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A person who spreads gossip or rumors, often maliciously.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сплетник - Used in informal settings to describe a male gossipmonger, especially in social or family contexts.
• сплетница - Applied to females in similar informal scenarios, highlighting gender-specific nuances in Russian.
• болтун - More general, for someone who talks excessively, including but not limited to gossip, in casual conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда был сплетником в нашем офисе, распространяя слухи о коллегах.

  He was always a talebearer in our office, spreading rumors about colleagues.

• Моя соседка — настоящая сплетница; она рассказывает всем секреты.

  My neighbor is a real talebearer; she tells everyone's secrets to all.

• Не будь болтуном и не повторяй то, что слышал на вечеринке.

  Don't be a talebearer and repeat what you heard at the party.

• В маленьком городе сплетники как вирус: они быстро распространяют информацию.

  In a small town, talebearers are like a virus: they spread information quickly.

• Она превратилась в сплетницу после того, как узнала конфиденциальные детали.

  She turned into a talebearer after learning confidential details.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translations are nouns, which undergo declension based on case, number, and gender in Russian. 'Сплетник' and 'сплетница' are masculine and feminine nouns, respectively, while 'болтун' is masculine. They follow standard first-declension patterns for most cases.

These words do not have irregular inflections but must agree with gender, number, and case in sentences. For example, 'болтун' remains unchanged in form but adjusts based on context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Gossiper (сплетник) - Similar to 'сплетник' but with a neutral tone.
  • Ябеда (informant) - Used when the talebearing involves reporting to authorities.
  • Разболтай (chatterbox) - Informal, overlapping with 'болтун' in casual speech.
• Antonyms:
  • Молчуны (silent one) - Refers to someone who keeps secrets.
  • Доверенный (trustworthy) - A person who is reliable and discreet.

Related Phrases:

• Распространять сплетни - To spread gossip; used in contexts of social drama or rumors.
• Быть болтуном - To be a chatterbox; implies excessive talking, often leading to talebearing.
• Сплетни в кругу друзей - Gossip in a circle of friends; a common phrase for informal social settings.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'тalebearer' translations like 'сплетник' or 'болтун' are informal and carry a negative connotation, similar to English, but they are gender-specific ('сплетник' for males, 'сплетница' for females). Use 'болтун' for broader contexts of excessive talking. Always ensure agreement with sentence structure; for example, in accusative case, say 'Я видел сплетника' (I saw the talebearer). Choose based on context: 'сплетник' for malicious gossip, 'болтун' for general chattiness. These words are common in spoken Russian but less in formal writing.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'сплетник' for females. Correct: 'Сплетница' should be used for women to match gender agreement. Example of error: *Она сплетник* (incorrect). Correct: Она сплетница. Explanation: Russian nouns must align with the subject's gender, unlike English.

• Error: Confusing 'болтун' with 'сплетник' in formal contexts. Correct: 'Болтун' is more playful, while 'сплетник' implies harm. Example of error: Using 'болтун' in a serious accusation. Explanation: This can downplay the severity, so select based on intent.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, talebearing or gossip ('сплетни') is often associated with close-knit communities, like in villages or families, where it can strengthen social bonds or cause conflicts. Historically, during Soviet times, informers (similar to 'сплетники') played roles in surveillance, adding a layer of distrust to the term.

Related Concepts:

• Слухи (rumors)
• Язык (tongue, as in speech)
• Секреты (secrets)