Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'violinist'

English Word: violinist

Key Russian Translations:

• скрипач [skriˈpatʃ] - [Informal, Masculine]
• скрипачка [skriˈpatʃkə] - [Informal, Feminine]
• виолончелист [vi.ə.lɐnˈt͡ɕɛ.list] - [Formal, if contextually confused, but note: this is for cellist; for violinist, use sparingly]

Frequency: Medium (Common in music-related discussions, literature, and media, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; involves basic noun gender and inflections, suitable for learners with some grasp of Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

скрипач: [skriˈpatʃ]

скрипачка: [skriˈpatʃkə]

Note on скрипач: The stress is on the second syllable; be mindful of the hard 'ч' sound, which is similar to the 'ch' in 'loch'. For скрипачка, the feminine ending '-ка' softens the word and changes pronunciation slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who plays the violin professionally or as a musician.

Translation(s) & Context:

• скрипач - Used in informal or general contexts, especially for male violinists in everyday Russian speech or writing.
• скрипачка - Applied to female violinists; common in biographical or descriptive texts.

Usage Examples:

• Он стал известным скрипачом в молодом возрасте.

  He became a famous violinist at a young age.

• Скрипачка выступила на концерте с оркестром.

  The violinist performed with the orchestra at the concert.

• В консерватории учатся многие талантливые скрипачи.

  Many talented violinists study at the conservatory.

• Она, как опытная скрипачка, мастерски исполнила сонату.

  As an experienced violinist, she masterfully performed the sonata.

• Скрипач играл на фестивале под открытым небом.

  The violinist played at the outdoor festival.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "скрипач" and "скрипачка" are masculine and feminine nouns, respectively, belonging to the second declension. They follow standard Russian noun inflections for gender, number, and case. "Скрипач" is masculine and changes based on case, while "скрипачка" is feminine and follows similar patterns.

Note: These are regular inflections; no irregularities for this word class.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: скрипичный исполнитель (more formal, emphasizes the instrument); виртуоз (implies virtuosity, with subtle difference in connotation of skill level)
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as this is a specific role; however, in broader contexts, perhaps контрабасист (double bassist, for contrast in instruments)

Related Phrases:

• Великий скрипач - A great violinist; used in contexts praising exceptional talent.
• Скрипач-виртуоз - Virtuoso violinist; highlights advanced skill in performance settings.
• Концерт скрипача - Violinist's concert; common in event descriptions or schedules.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, always match the gender of the violinist with the noun form (e.g., use "скрипач" for males and "скрипачка" for females). This corresponds closely to English "violinist," but Russian requires attention to case for grammatical agreement. It's most common in formal or artistic contexts, such as music reviews or biographies. When choosing between translations, opt for "скрипач" in neutral or masculine references; avoid "виолончелист" as it means "cellist" and could lead to confusion.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "скрипач" for a female violinist. Correct: Use "скрипачка" instead. Example of error: "Она скрипач" (incorrect). Correct: "Она скрипачка." Explanation: Russian nouns have gender agreement, so mismatched forms can confuse native speakers.

• Error: Forgetting inflections in sentences, e.g., saying "Я видел скрипач" instead of "Я видел скрипача" in accusative case. Correct: Always adjust for case as per sentence structure. Explanation: This is a common beginner mistake that disrupts sentence flow.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, violinists like David Oistrakh hold iconic status, symbolizing the nation's rich classical music heritage. The term "скрипач" often evokes images of performances in historic venues like the Moscow Conservatory, reflecting Russia's deep appreciation for string instruments in folk and classical traditions.

Related Concepts:

• пианист (pianist)
• виолончелист (cellist)
• музыкант (musician)