Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'voter'

English Word: voter

Key Russian Translations:

• Избиратель /ɪz.bɨ.rɐˈtʲelʲ/ - [Formal, often used in official or political contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions about elections and politics, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and formal vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Избиратель: /ɪz.bɨ.rɐˈtʲelʲ/

Note on Избиратель: The stress falls on the third syllable ("tʲelʲ"), and the "ы" sound is a distinct back vowel that may be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft "l" at the end.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A person who votes in an election or referendum.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Избиратель - Used in formal political, legal, or journalistic contexts to refer to someone participating in voting; appropriate for official documents or news reports.

Usage Examples:

• Избиратель должен быть зарегистрирован в избирательном округе, чтобы принять участие в выборах.

  A voter must be registered in the electoral district to participate in the elections.

• Молодой избиратель впервые голосовал на президентских выборах и чувствовал себя ответственным.

  The young voter cast their ballot for the first time in the presidential elections and felt responsible.

• Избиратели в России имеют право выбирать представителей в Государственную Думу.

  Voters in Russia have the right to elect representatives to the State Duma.

• Если избиратель не явится на выборы, его голос не будет учтен.

  If a voter does not show up for the elections, their vote will not be counted.

• Избиратель, обладающий полным правом голоса, может повлиять на исход референдума.

  A voter with full voting rights can influence the outcome of a referendum.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Избиратель" is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Голосующий (golosoʊvajuščij) - More general term for someone voting, often used in informal contexts; implies active participation.
  • Выборщик (vɨbɔrščik) - Specifically for electors in a system like the U.S. Electoral College, with a nuance of selection.
• Antonyms:
  • Неголосующий (negolosoʊvajuščij) - Someone who does not vote, emphasizing abstention.

Related Phrases:

• Избирательное право - The right to vote; refers to suffrage and electoral rights in a democratic system.
• Активный избиратель - An active voter; used to describe someone who regularly participates in elections.
• Избирательная кампания - Election campaign; a phrase for organized efforts to engage voters during elections.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "Избиратель" directly corresponds to the English "voter" in formal contexts, such as legal or political discussions, but it is less common in everyday speech. Always use it with appropriate case endings based on its role in the sentence, as Russian is a highly inflected language. For informal settings, consider alternatives like "голосующий" to match a more conversational tone. When choosing between translations, opt for "Избиратель" in contexts involving official elections, as it carries a precise, neutral connotation without emotional bias.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "Избиратель" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел Избиратель" instead of "Я видел избирателя" (Accusative case).
  Correct: "Я видел избирателя." (Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case with their grammatical function; here, it's the direct object.)
• Mistake: Confusing it with "Избирающий" (which means "electing" as a verb form).
  Correct: Use "Избиратель" for the noun; avoid mixing it with verb forms to prevent grammatical errors.
• Mistake: Overusing in informal contexts, e.g., saying "Мой друг - избиратель" when "Мой друг голосует" would be more natural.
  Correct: Reserve "Избиратель" for formal writing; in casual talk, use simpler phrases to sound more natural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and politics, the concept of a "voter" (Избиратель) is tied to the history of Soviet and post-Soviet electoral systems, where voting was often seen as a civic duty rather than a right. During the Soviet era, elections were not always competitive, which can add a layer of irony or skepticism when discussing voters in modern contexts. Understanding this background helps English speakers grasp why terms like "Избиратель" might carry subtle connotations of state involvement or mandatory participation in certain historical narratives.

Related Concepts:

• Выборы ( Elections )
• Голосование ( Voting )
• Политический активист ( Political activist )