Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'warden'

English Word: warden

Key Russian Translations:

• надзиратель [nədnʲɪˈratʲɪlʲ] - [Formal, used in official or institutional contexts]
• сторож [ˈstorəʂ] - [Informal, Plural possible, commonly used in everyday security scenarios]
• охранник [ɐˈxranʲnʲik] - [Neutral, often in modern urban settings]

Frequency: Medium (Common in legal, security, and administrative discussions but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level, as it involves understanding noun declensions and context-specific usage; for 'надзиратель', it may lean towards B2 due to formal connotations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

надзиратель: [nədnʲɪˈratʲɪlʲ]

сторож: [ˈstorəʂ]

охранник: [ɐˈxranʲnʲik]

Note on надзиратель: The stress is on the third syllable; be cautious with the soft 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers due to palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A prison official or guard responsible for supervision

Translation(s) & Context:

• надзиратель - Used in formal, institutional settings like prisons or correctional facilities.
• охранник - Applied in broader security contexts, such as modern prisons or private security.

Usage Examples:

• В тюрьме работает строгий надзиратель, который следит за порядком.

  In the prison, there is a strict warden who maintains order.

• Надзиратель предупредил заключённых о правилах поведения.

  The warden warned the inmates about the rules of conduct.

• Охранник, или надзиратель, всегда на посту в камере.

  The guard, or warden, is always on duty in the cell block.

• В этом исправительном учреждении надзиратель проводит ежедневные проверки.

  In this correctional facility, the warden conducts daily inspections.

Meaning 2: A guardian, keeper, or supervisor in a non-penal context (e.g., a gamekeeper or estate manager)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сторож - Informal, often for watchmen or caretakers in rural or property settings.
• надзиратель - Less common, but used formally for supervisors in estates or institutions.

Usage Examples:

• Сторож парка всегда бдителен и охраняет зелёные зоны от вандалов.

  The park warden is always vigilant and protects the green areas from vandals.

• В усадьбе наняты сторожи, чтобы присматривать за имуществом.

  Wardens have been hired at the estate to watch over the property.

• Сторож леса, подобно надзирателю, обеспечивает безопасность дикой природы.

  The forest warden, much like a supervisor, ensures the safety of wildlife.

• Этот сторож работает ночами, как настоящий страж поместья.

  This warden works at night, like a true guardian of the estate.

• Надзиратель в зоопарке заботится о животных, словно они под его опекой.

  The warden at the zoo cares for the animals as if they are under his guardianship.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'надзиратель' (a masculine noun, 2nd declension), it follows standard Russian noun patterns with changes in cases and numbers. 'Сторож' and 'охранник' are also masculine nouns with similar inflections.

These nouns do not have irregular inflections but require attention to soft consonants in certain cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • страж (more poetic or archaic, often for a guardian)
  • охранник (general synonym for security personnel)
  • караульный (used in military contexts, with a slight emphasis on watch duty)
• Antonyms:
  • заключённый (inmate, opposite in a prison context)
  • нарушитель (violator or trespasser, contrasting with a guardian role)

Related Phrases:

• надзиратель тюрьмы - Prison warden; a common phrase for official prison staff.
• сторож ночной смены - Night watchman; used for security roles during nighttime.
• охранник объекта - Security guard of a facility; implies protection of a specific area.
• быть на посту, как сторож - To be on duty like a warden; an idiomatic expression for vigilance.

Usage Notes:

'Надзиратель' is the most direct equivalent to 'warden' in a prison context and is typically formal, avoiding casual conversation. 'Сторож' is better for everyday guardianship roles and can be pluralized easily. When choosing between translations, consider the context: use 'охранник' for modern security jobs. English speakers should note that Russian nouns decline, so pay attention to case endings in sentences. For example, in genitive constructions, 'warden of the prison' becomes 'надзирателя тюрьмы'.

• Always pair with appropriate prepositions, e.g., 'в роли надзирателя' for 'as a warden'.
• In informal settings, 'сторож' might be preferred over 'надзиратель' to avoid sounding overly official.

Common Errors:

One common mistake is confusing 'надзиратель' with 'сторож' and using them interchangeably without context, e.g., saying 'сторож тюрьмы' instead of 'надзиратель тюрьмы' for a prison setting. Incorrect: 'Я видел сторожа в тюрьме' (implies a casual guard). Correct: 'Я видел надзирателя в тюрьме' (more accurate for a warden). Another error is forgetting declensions, such as using nominative in all cases: Incorrect: 'с надзиратель' (should be 'с надзирателем' in instrumental case). This can make sentences grammatically incorrect and confusing.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the role of a 'warden' or 'надзиратель' often evokes images from Soviet-era prisons, as depicted in literature like Solzhenitsyn's works, symbolizing authority and surveillance. This can carry a connotation of strict control, differing from Western portrayals, and reflects historical themes of state oversight in Russia.

Related Concepts:

• стража (guard duty)
• охрана (security)
• заключённый (inmate)
• исправительное учреждение (correctional facility)