Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'traitor'

English Word: traitor

Key Russian Translations:

• Предатель (/prʲɪˈdatʲɪlʲ/) - [Formal, Singular, Used in serious contexts like politics or history]
• Изменник (/ɪzˈmʲɛnʲnʲɪk/) - [Formal, Plural possible as изменники, Used in legal or historical narratives]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, news, and discussions about betrayal, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and context-specific usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Предатель: /prʲɪˈdatʲɪlʲ/ (The stress is on the third syllable; note the soft 't' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers)

Note on Предатель: The 'р' is rolled, and the 'е' is pronounced like 'ye' in "yes." Be cautious of the palatalized consonants.

Изменник: /ɪzˈmʲɛnʲnʲɪk/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'з' is voiced like 'z' in "zoo.")

Note on Изменник: This word may vary slightly in rapid speech, with potential softening of the 'н' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A person who betrays someone or something, such as a country, cause, or friend.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Предатель - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe political or personal betrayal, often with strong negative connotations.
• Изменник - Applied in historical or legal settings, emphasizing treason against a state or group.

Usage Examples:

• Он был предателем своей родины. (He was a traitor to his homeland.)

  English Translation: He was a traitor to his homeland. (This example shows the word in a historical or political context.)

• Война раскрыла многих изменников среди лидеров. (The war revealed many traitors among the leaders.)

  English Translation: The war revealed many traitors among the leaders. (Illustrates plural form and group betrayal.)

• Её бывший друг оказался предателем. (Her former friend turned out to be a traitor.)

  English Translation: Her former friend turned out to be a traitor. (Demonstrates personal relationship context.)

• Изменник был пойман и осуждён. (The traitor was caught and convicted.)

  English Translation: The traitor was caught and convicted. (Shows use in a legal or narrative setting.)

• В истории полно примеров предателей, изменивших ход событий. (History is full of traitors who altered the course of events.)

  English Translation: History is full of traitors who altered the course of events. (Highlights broader thematic usage.)

Secondary Meaning: In a figurative sense, someone who is disloyal in non-political contexts, like business or relationships.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Предатель - Informal or metaphorical use, such as in everyday betrayals of trust.

Usage Examples:

• Он предатель в отношениях, скрывая правду. (He is a traitor in the relationship, hiding the truth.)

  English Translation: He is a traitor in the relationship, hiding the truth. (Example of figurative, personal use.)

• Изменник в компании украл идею. (The traitor in the company stole the idea.)

  English Translation: The traitor in the company stole the idea. (Context of professional betrayal.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Предатель" and "Изменник" are masculine nouns in Russian, which undergo declension based on case, number, and gender. They follow the standard third declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

Note: These nouns do not change for gender but must agree with adjectives and verbs in case and number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Предатель - Враг (enemy; more general, without the betrayal aspect)
  • Изменник - Отступник (renegade; implies abandonment of a cause)
• Antonyms:
  • Верный (loyal)
  • Преданный (devoted)

Related Phrases:

• Предать друга - To betray a friend (Literal phrase for personal betrayal, often used in emotional contexts.)
• Изменить родине - To betray one's homeland (Common in patriotic or historical discussions, emphasizing national treason.)
• Быть предателем - To be a traitor (A straightforward expression for self-identification or accusation in narratives.)

Usage Notes:

• While "traitor" directly translates to "предатель" or "изменник," choose based on context: use "предатель" for personal or emotional betrayal, and "изменник" for state-related treason.
• These words carry strong negative connotations in Russian culture, so they are typically formal; avoid in casual conversations to prevent offense.
• Grammatically, always decline the noun according to its case in a sentence, e.g., "Я видел предателя" (I saw the traitor) in accusative case.
• When multiple translations exist, "изменник" might imply a more organized act, guiding your selection based on severity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "предатель" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я встретил предатель" instead of "Я встретил предателя" (in accusative case).
  Correct: "Я встретил предателя." (Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case; this mistake often stems from English's lack of declensions.)
• Error: Confusing with similar words like "враг" (enemy), leading to misuse in betrayal contexts.
  Correct: Use "предатель" for betrayal, not just opposition. (Explanation: "Враг" doesn't imply broken loyalty, so it's not a direct synonym.)
• Error: Overusing in informal settings, e.g., calling a friend "предатель" jokingly, which can be seen as insensitive.
  Correct: Reserve for serious situations to match cultural norms. (Explanation: Russian speakers may interpret this as genuine accusation due to the word's weight.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "предатель" and "изменник" evoke strong historical references, such as betrayals during wars or revolutions (e.g., in Soviet history). They often carry a sense of moral outrage and are tied to themes of loyalty in literature like Tolstoy's works, reflecting Russia's emphasis on collective duty over individual actions.

Related Concepts:

• Вера (faith/loyalty)
• Предательство (betrayal)
• Лояльность (loyalty)