Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'veteran'

English Word: veteran

Key Russian Translations:

• ветеран /vʲɪtʲɪˈran/ - [Formal, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly used in historical, military, or professional contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners should be familiar with basic noun declensions and vocabulary related to professions or history.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ветеран: /vʲɪtʲɪˈran/

Note on ветеран: The stress is on the second syllable. The initial 'в' is pronounced as a voiced labiodental fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalized 'тʲ' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person with long experience in a particular field (e.g., professional veteran)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ветеран - Used in formal or professional settings to describe someone with extensive experience, such as in sports or business.

Usage Examples:

• Он — ветеран индустрии, с более чем 30 годами опыта.

  He is a veteran of the industry, with more than 30 years of experience.

• Ветеран футбола поделился своими секретами с молодыми игроками.

  The football veteran shared his secrets with young players.

• Как ветеран, она знает, как преодолевать трудности в бизнесе.

  As a veteran, she knows how to overcome challenges in business.

• Ветеран науки был удостоен премии за свои инновации.

  The science veteran was awarded a prize for his innovations.

Meaning 2: A former member of the armed forces (e.g., military veteran)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ветеран - Often used in military or historical contexts, emphasizing respect and experience from service.

Usage Examples:

• Ветеран войны вернулся домой с медалями за героизм.

  The war veteran returned home with medals for heroism.

• Многие ветераны армии страдают от последствий боевых действий.

  Many army veterans suffer from the effects of combat.

• Ветеран ВОВ рассказал о своих переживаниях на параде.

  The WWII veteran shared his experiences at the parade.

• Правительство предоставляет поддержку ветеранам для их вклада в страну.

  The government provides support to veterans for their contributions to the country.

• Как ветеран, он участвует в мемориальных мероприятиях ежегодно.

  As a veteran, he participates in memorial events annually.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Ветеран" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows standard noun inflection patterns for cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is regular in its declension, so no irregularities to highlight.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • старый боец (old fighter) - Often used in a metaphorical sense for experienced individuals.
  • опытный специалист (experienced specialist) - Emphasizes professional expertise rather than military context.
• Antonyms:
  • новичок (novice) - Refers to someone with little experience.
  • рекрут (recruit) - Specifically for military contexts, indicating a new member.

Related Phrases:

• ветеран войны - War veteran; Refers to someone who served in a war, often with connotations of honor and sacrifice.
• ветеран труда - Labor veteran; Used for individuals with long service in a profession or industry.
• ветеран спорта - Sports veteran; Describes an athlete with a long career.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "ветеран" directly corresponds to the English "veteran" but is more commonly used in formal, respectful contexts, such as official events or historical discussions. It carries a positive connotation of experience and achievement. When choosing between translations, use "ветеран" for military or professional contexts; avoid it in casual speech. Grammatically, ensure proper declension based on sentence structure, e.g., in genitive case for possession.

• Tip: In modern Russian, it's often paired with adjectives like "военный" (military) to specify context.
• Restriction: Not typically used for animals or objects; reserve for people.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse the declension of "ветеран." For example, they might incorrectly say "Я встретил ветеран" instead of the correct accusative form "Я встретил ветерана." The error stems from not adjusting for case; the correct version is "Я встретил ветерана" (I met the veteran). Another common mistake is confusing it with "ветеранка" (feminine form for a female veteran), leading to gender mismatches in sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "ветеран" holds significant respect, especially for WWII veterans (known as "ветераны Великой Отечественной войны"). They are honored on Victory Day (May 9th) with parades and memorials, reflecting Russia's emphasis on historical sacrifices and national pride. This term evokes patriotism and is often used in media to highlight resilience.

Related Concepts:

• герой (hero)
• солдат (soldier)
• опыт (experience)