Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tutor'

English Word: tutor

Key Russian Translations:

• Репетитор /rʲɪˈpʲetʲɪtər/ - [Informal, Commonly used for private lessons]
• Учитель /uˈtʲitʲelʲ/ - [Formal, General term for a teacher, but less specific to one-on-one tutoring]

Frequency: Medium (Frequently encountered in educational contexts, especially in urban or academic settings in Russia).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with basic noun declensions and everyday vocabulary, but 'репетитор' may be easier for A2 learners due to its straightforward usage).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Репетитор: /rʲɪˈpʲetʲɪtər/

Note on Репетитор: The stress is on the third syllable; the 'р' is rolled, which can be challenging for English speakers. A soft 'т' sound is common in casual speech.

Учитель: /uˈtʲitʲelʲ/

Note on Учитель: The 'ч' is a soft palatal fricative; pronounce it like the 'ch' in 'cheer', and the final 'ь' indicates softening of the preceding consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A private instructor providing one-on-one lessons

Translation(s) & Context:

• Репетитор - Used in informal or everyday contexts for hiring a tutor for subjects like math or languages.
• Учитель - Used more formally, but can apply if the tutor is in a professional role, such as in a school setting.

Usage Examples:

• Я нанял репетитора по английскому, чтобы улучшить свои навыки.

  I hired a tutor for English to improve my skills.

• Мой репетитор всегда объясняет сложные темы очень терпеливо.

  My tutor always explains difficult topics very patiently.

• Репетитор помогла мне подготовиться к экзамену за короткое время.

  The tutor helped me prepare for the exam in a short time. (Note: Gender agreement shown with feminine form.)

• У моего сына есть репетитор по математике три раза в неделю.

  My son has a tutor for math three times a week.

Meaning 2: A general educator or mentor in a broader sense

Translation(s) & Context:

• Учитель - Often used in formal educational contexts, like schools, but can extend to tutoring if it's part of a structured program.

Usage Examples:

• В университете у меня был отличный учитель, который стал моим репетитором.

  At university, I had an excellent teacher who became my tutor.

• Этот учитель работает как репетитор для одаренных детей.

  This teacher works as a tutor for gifted children.

• Учитель по истории также предлагает услуги репетитора в выходные.

  The history teacher also offers tutoring services on weekends.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'Репетитор' and 'Учитель' are masculine nouns in Russian, following standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. They change based on case, number, and gender agreement.

Note: These nouns are regular and do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Ментор (mentor) - Often used for a more guiding, long-term role.
  • Преподаватель (instructor) - Similar to 'учитель' but more academic.
• Antonyms:
  • Ученик (student) - The opposite role in an educational context.
  • Самоучка (self-learner) - Implies no need for a tutor.

Related Phrases:

• Пригласить репетитора - To hire a tutor (Used when arranging private lessons).
• Работа репетитора - Tutor's job (Common in job descriptions or discussions about professions).
• Онлайн-репетитор - Online tutor (Reflects modern digital learning contexts).

Usage Notes:

'Репетитор' is the most precise translation for 'tutor' in the context of private, paid lessons, while 'учитель' is broader and often refers to classroom teachers. Use 'репетитор' in informal or everyday scenarios, such as hiring for exam preparation. Be mindful of gender agreement in Russian sentences; for example, if the tutor is female, it becomes 'репетиторка'. In formal writing, 'учитель' might be preferred for educational institutions. When choosing between translations, opt for 'репетитор' if the focus is on individualized instruction.

Common Errors:

• Incorrect: Using 'репетитор' interchangeably with 'учитель' without context, e.g., saying "Мой учитель в школе — репетитор" when it should be separate roles.

  Correct: "Мой учитель в школе, а репетитор помогает мне дополнительно." (Explanation: 'Учитель' is for school settings, while 'репетитор' is for extra help; confusing them can lead to imprecise communication.)

• Incorrect: Forgetting declension, e.g., "Я разговаривал репетитор" instead of "Я разговаривал с репетитором".

  Correct: Always use the instrumental case with prepositions like 'с'. (Explanation: English speakers often overlook Russian case requirements, leading to grammatical errors.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, hiring a 'репетитор' is a common practice due to the competitive education system, especially for university entrance exams like the EGE. This reflects a cultural emphasis on academic excellence and parental involvement, often stemming from Soviet-era traditions where extra tutoring was necessary for advancement.

Related Concepts:

• Образование (education)
• Экзамен (exam)
• Курсы (courses)