Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'teenager'

English Word: teenager

Key Russian Translations:

• подросток [pɐdrɐˈstok] - [Informal, commonly used for individuals aged 13-19]
• юноша [ˈjunəʂə] - [Formal, typically for teenage boys or young men]
• девушка-подросток [ˈdʲevʊʂkə pɐdrɐˈstok] - [Informal, specifically for teenage girls]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'подросток' is commonly encountered in everyday conversations about family, education, and social issues, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary level per CEFR; straightforward for beginners, though understanding nuances like gender-specific alternatives may require intermediate practice. For 'юноша', difficulty is B1 due to its more formal connotations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

подросток: [pɐdrɐˈstok]

юноша: [ˈjunəʂə]

девушка-подросток: [ˈdʲevʊʂkə pɐdrɐˈstok]

Note on подросток: The stress falls on the third syllable ('stok'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to Russian's complex stress patterns. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A young person typically aged 13 to 19.

Translation(s) & Context:

• подросток - Used in general, everyday contexts for both male and female teenagers, often in informal discussions about behavior, education, or social development.
• юноша - Applied in more formal or literary contexts, especially for male teenagers, implying a sense of maturity or transition to adulthood.
• девушка-подросток - Specifically for female teenagers, common in contexts involving gender-specific topics like fashion or relationships.

Usage Examples:

• Мой сын сейчас подросток и часто проводит время с друзьями.

  My son is now a teenager and often spends time with friends.

• В школе много девушек-подростков, интересующихся спортом.

  There are many teenage girls at school who are interested in sports.

• Этот юноша проявляет лидерские качества, несмотря на свой возраст.

  This teenage boy shows leadership qualities despite his age.

• Подростки в России часто участвуют в молодежных программах для личностного роста.

  Teenagers in Russia often participate in youth programs for personal development.

• Как родители, мы должны понимать проблемы подростков в современном мире.

  As parents, we need to understand the problems of teenagers in the modern world.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Подросток' is a masculine noun with standard declensions. It follows the second declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table of its inflections:

For 'юноша' (also masculine), it follows a similar pattern but is less commonly inflected in modern usage. It is invariant in some fixed phrases. 'Девушка-подросток' is a compound and inflects based on 'девушка' (feminine noun), which has its own declensions, but as a phrase, it often remains stable.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • юноша (similar to 'teenager' but with a more formal, mature connotation)
  • молодежь (youth, broader term for young people, including teenagers)
  • подрастающее поколение (the younger generation, used in educational or societal contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • взрослый (adult, contrasting with the youthfulness of a teenager)
  • ребенок (child, for those younger than teenagers)

Related Phrases:

• подростковый возраст - Teenage years; refers to the period of adolescence and its challenges.
• проблемы подростков - Teenager problems; commonly used in discussions about emotional or social issues.
• подростковая мода - Teenage fashion; relates to trends popular among young people.
• юношеский максимализм - Teenage maximalism; an idiomatic phrase describing the idealistic and extreme views often held by teenagers.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'подросток' directly corresponds to 'teenager' in English and is the most neutral and accurate translation for general use. However, choose 'юноша' for formal or literary contexts, especially when emphasizing maturity in boys. Be mindful of gender: Russian often specifies it more explicitly than English. Grammatically, these nouns require agreement in case, number, and gender with accompanying words. For example, in sentences, ensure adjectives or verbs align properly. When discussing cultural topics, 'подросток' might carry implications of rebellion or growth, guiding word choice based on context.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'подросток' with 'молодой' (young), using 'молодой подросток' redundantly. Correct usage: Simply say 'подросток' as it already implies youth. Error example: "Мой молодой подросток" (incorrect overlap); Correct: "Мой подросток".

• Misapplying gender: Saying 'юноша' for a female teenager. Error example: "Эта юноша" for a girl; Correct: "Эта девушка-подросток". This stems from not recognizing the masculine form of 'юноша'.

• Forgetting inflections: Using the nominative form in all cases, e.g., "Я думаю о подросток" instead of "Я думаю о подростке" (dative case). Always adjust for case to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a 'teenager' (подросток) often emphasizes the transitional phase of life, marked by education, social activities, and sometimes rebellion, as seen in literature like Turgenev's works. This period is culturally significant due to Russia's emphasis on youth programs and state education, reflecting historical influences from Soviet-era policies that promoted collective upbringing.

Related Concepts:

• школа (school)
• дружба (friendship)
• молодежь (youth)
• воспитание (upbringing)