Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'townspeople'

English Word: townspeople

Key Russian Translations:

• горожане /ɡərɐˈʐanʲe/ - [Plural, Formal; Used in general contexts to refer to urban residents]

Frequency: Medium; This word is commonly encountered in discussions about community, urban life, or demographics, but not as frequent as everyday terms like "people" (люди).

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1); Learners at this level should understand basic noun inflections, though the word's specific usage in plural forms may require practice for accurate application.

Pronunciation (Russian):

горожане: /ɡərɐˈʐanʲe/

Note on горожане: The stress falls on the third syllable ("ʐanʲe"), and the 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft, buzzing quality similar to the 's' in "measure."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Residents of a town or urban area

Translation(s) & Context:

• горожане - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as historical narratives or sociological discussions, to denote the collective inhabitants of a town (e.g., in contrast to rural populations).

Usage Examples:

• Горожане активно участвуют в местных выборах.

  The townspeople actively participate in local elections.

• В старом городе горожане сохраняют традиции предков.

  In the old town, the townspeople preserve their ancestors' traditions.

• Горожане жалуются на шум от строительства.

  The townspeople are complaining about the noise from the construction.

• Каждый год горожане организуют фестиваль в центре.

  Every year, the townspeople organize a festival in the center.

• Молодые горожане предпочитают жить в пригородах.

  Young townspeople prefer to live in the suburbs.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Горожане" is a plural noun derived from "город" (city/town). It belongs to the first declension group for masculine nouns and exhibits regular inflection patterns in Russian. The base form is plural only; there is no singular counterpart in common usage. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not change for number beyond its inherent plural form. If used in compounds or with adjectives, it follows standard agreement rules (e.g., "молодые горожане" for "young townspeople").

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: жители города (residents of the city; more general and interchangeable in everyday contexts), горожане (exact match, no significant difference)
• Antonyms: сельские жители (rural residents; used to contrast urban vs. rural populations)

Related Phrases:

• местные горожане - Local townspeople; Refers to residents of a specific area, often in community or regional contexts.
• горожане и деревенские - Townspeople and villagers; A phrase used to highlight urban-rural divides in discussions or stories.
• активные горожане - Active townspeople; Describes engaged community members, such as in volunteer or civic activities.

Usage Notes:

"Горожане" directly corresponds to "townspeople" in English, emphasizing a collective group rather than individuals. It is typically used in formal or neutral contexts, such as news articles or historical texts, and carries a slight connotation of urban identity. When choosing between translations like "жители города," opt for "горожане" if the focus is on the social or cultural aspects of town life. Be mindful of Russian case requirements; for example, use the genitive form "горожан" after prepositions like "из" (from). This word is invariable in number, so it's ideal for plural-only scenarios.

Common Errors:

• Using the singular form incorrectly: English learners might try to say "горожанин" (a single townsman) when intending "townspeople," but "горожане" is inherently plural. Correct usage: Instead of "Один горожанин" for a group, use "Горожане" directly. Error example: "Горожанин собрались" (incorrect); Correct: "Горожане собрались" – This mistakes the word for a singular noun.
• Ignoring case inflections: Forgetting to change to genitive, e.g., saying "Я видел горожане" instead of "Я видел горожан." Explanation: In Russian, nouns must agree in case; always check the preposition or verb governing the noun.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "горожане" often evoke images of community life in historic cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg, where urban residents play a key role in preserving traditions and participating in public events. This word can carry a subtle sense of pride in urban heritage, especially in literature or folklore, contrasting with rural lifestyles and highlighting themes of modernization and social change.

Related Concepts:

• сельские жители
• городские обитатели
• местное население