Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vagrant'

English Word: vagrant

Key Russian Translations:

• Бродяга [broˈdʲaɡə] - [Informal, often used for a wandering or homeless person in a slightly derogatory context]
• Бездомный [bʲɪzˈdomnɨj] - [Formal, neutral term for someone without a home]
• Странник [ˈstrannʲik] - [Neutral, literary connotation, implying a wanderer or traveler]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday Russian conversations, literature, and media discussing social issues, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of basic noun inflections and contextual nuances. For 'Бездомный', it may be A2 for beginners due to its straightforward use, while 'Бродяга' could reach B2 due to informal and cultural undertones.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Бродяга: [broˈdʲaɡə]

Бездомный: [bʲɪzˈdomnɨj]

Странник: [ˈstrannʲik]

Note on Бродяга: The stress is on the second syllable, and the 'дʲ' sound is a soft 'd', which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in dialects.

Note on Бездомный: The 'ы' sound is a central vowel, distinct from 'i'; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person without a fixed home who wanders from place to place (primary sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Бродяга - Used in informal or literary contexts to describe someone living a nomadic or vagrant lifestyle, often with a hint of pity or judgment.
• Бездомный - Applied in formal, social, or news contexts for homeless individuals, emphasizing lack of shelter rather than wandering.

Usage Examples:

• На улицах города часто можно увидеть бродягу, ищущего еду в мусорных контейнерах.

  On the streets of the city, you can often see a vagrant searching for food in trash bins.

• Бездомный мужчина сидел у входа в метро, держа в руках табличку с просьбой о помощи.

  The homeless man was sitting at the subway entrance, holding a sign asking for help.

• В старых русских сказках странник всегда несет с собой тайны и приключения.

  In old Russian folktales, the wanderer always carries mysteries and adventures with him.

• Молодой бродяга путешествовал по стране, не имея постоянного места жительства.

  The young vagrant traveled across the country without a permanent place to live.

• В зимние холода бездомные люди ищут убежище в общественных приютах.

  In the winter cold, homeless people seek shelter in public shelters.

Meaning 2: Someone who is idle or leads an aimless life (secondary, metaphorical sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Бродяга - In metaphorical contexts, such as describing unproductive behavior in literature or casual speech.
• Странник - Used poetically for someone spiritually or emotionally adrift.

Usage Examples:

• Он стал бродягой жизни, перепрыгивая от одной работы к другой без цели.

  He became a vagrant of life, jumping from one job to another without purpose.

• Странник души, она искала смысл в путешествиях по миру.

  As a wanderer of the soul, she sought meaning in travels around the world.

• Бродяга в его характере проявлялся в постоянном стремлении к переменам.

  The vagrant in his character showed through his constant desire for change.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Most key translations are nouns and follow standard Russian inflection patterns. 'Бродяга' is a masculine noun (1st declension), while 'Бездомный' is an adjective that agrees with the noun it modifies. 'Странник' is also a masculine noun (2nd declension). Below is a table for inflections:

Note: These words do not have irregular inflections, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• Бродячий (wandering)
• Бездомник (homeless person, less common)
• Скиталец (wanderer, with a more poetic tone)

Note: 'Скиталец' often implies a voluntary, adventurous wandering, differing from the more negative 'Бродяга'.

Antonyms:

• Оседлый (settled, as in a stable resident)
• Домосед (homebody)

Related Phrases:

• Бродяга судьбы - Phrase meaning "vagabond of fate," used to describe someone whose life is unpredictable or aimless.
• Бездомный пёс - Literally "homeless dog," referring to a stray animal, often metaphorically for neglected individuals.
• Странник дорог - "Wanderer of the roads," a poetic expression for a traveler or nomad in Russian literature.

Usage Notes:

'Vagrant' translates variably in Russian based on context: use 'Бродяга' for informal or narrative settings, 'Бездомный' for formal discussions like social services, and 'Странник' for literary or metaphorical uses. Be mindful of the word's connotations—'Бродяга' can sound judgmental, so it's less appropriate in professional contexts. Grammatically, these are nouns or adjectives that require agreement in gender, number, and case, which differs from English's fixed forms. When choosing among translations, consider the audience: formal Russian prefers 'Бездомный' for accuracy in social issues.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'Бродяга' in formal writing, e.g., saying "Бродяга на улице" instead of "Бездомный человек на улице". Correct: 'Бездомный' is more neutral and appropriate for official contexts. Explanation: 'Бродяга' carries a pejorative tone, which might offend or misrepresent the subject.

• Error: Forgetting case agreement, e.g., saying "Я видел бродяга" (incorrect accusative) instead of "Я видел бродягу". Correct: Always inflect based on sentence role. Explanation: Russian nouns change endings, so learners must practice declensions to avoid grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing with similar words like 'Бродячий' (adjective for wandering), e.g., using it as a noun. Correct: Use 'Бродяга' for the noun form. Explanation: This mix-up can alter the sentence's meaning, making it sound awkward or incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'Бродяга' and 'Странник' often evoke themes from literature, such as in the works of Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, where wanderers symbolize existential searching or social alienation. Historically, during periods of upheaval like the Russian Revolution, vagrancy was linked to displacement and survival, adding a layer of empathy or critique in modern usage.

Related Concepts:

• Нищий (beggar)
• Бродячий цирк (traveling circus)
• Скитальчество (vagabondage)