Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'workman'

English Word: workman

Key Russian Translations:

• рабочий [rɐˈboʧʲɪj] - [Formal, commonly used in professional or industrial contexts]
• ремонтник [rʲɪˈmontnʲɪk] - [Informal, specific to repair or maintenance workers]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered regularly in everyday Russian, especially in discussions about labor and industry, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like "дом" (house)).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and common labor-related vocabulary. For "ремонтник," it may be slightly easier at A2 for beginners due to its straightforward usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

рабочий: [rɐˈboʧʲɪj] (The stress is on the second syllable; note the palatalized 'ч' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers as it's similar to the 'ch' in 'church' but softer.)

ремонтник: [rʲɪˈmontnʲɪk] (Stress on the third syllable; pay attention to the soft 'н' before the 'и', which affects the pronunciation.)

Note on рабочий: This word has a soft ending in some forms, so the final 'й' can sound like a gentle 'y' glide. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel lengths.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A skilled or manual laborer, often in construction, repair, or industrial settings.

Translation(s) & Context:

• рабочий - Used in formal, professional, or general contexts to refer to a worker in manual trades; common in written Russian or official documents.
• ремонтник - Applied in informal or specific scenarios, such as a repairman for household or mechanical issues; less formal than 'рабочий'.

Usage Examples:

• Он работает как рабочий на стройке, где строят новый мост.

  He works as a workman on the construction site, where they're building a new bridge.

• Ремонтник быстро починил сломанную технику в мастерской.

  The workman quickly fixed the broken equipment in the workshop.

• В этой компании все рабочие получают хорошую зарплату за свою тяжёлую работу.

  In this company, all workmen receive good pay for their hard work.

• Мой сосед нанял ремонтника, чтобы отремонтировать крышу дома.

  My neighbor hired a workman to repair the roof of the house.

• Рабочий в заводе отвечает за сборку деталей, но часто работает сверхурочно.

  The workman at the factory is responsible for assembling parts, but often works overtime.

Meaning: A general term for someone performing physical labor (less skilled contexts).

Translation(s) & Context:

• рабочий - In broader, less skilled contexts, such as factory work; can imply a sense of proletariat or everyday laborer.

Usage Examples:

• Многие рабочие в России участвуют в профсоюзах для защиты своих прав.

  Many workmen in Russia join trade unions to protect their rights.

• Рабочий на ферме ухаживает за животными с раннего утра.

  The workman on the farm takes care of the animals from early morning.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translation, "рабочий," is a masculine noun (second declension). It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns but has variations based on case, number, and gender. "Ремонтник" is also a masculine noun with similar declensions. Below is a table for "рабочий" in singular and plural forms:

For "ремонтник," it follows a similar pattern but is less commonly inflected in everyday speech. It does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • трудящийся (trudiaschiiisia) - More formal, emphasizing the aspect of labor or toil; often used in official or ideological contexts.
  • работник (rabotnik) - General term for any worker, but less specific to manual labor.
• Antonyms:
  • начальник (nachalnik) - Boss or supervisor, implying authority over workmen.
  • руководитель (rukovoditel) - Manager or leader, contrasting with manual roles.

Related Phrases:

• рабочий класс - The working class; refers to the social stratum of manual laborers, often with historical connotations in Russian society.
• наёмный рабочий - Hired workman; used for temporary or contractual labor.
• профессиональный ремонтник - Professional workman; highlights skilled repair services in modern contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Рабочий" directly corresponds to "workman" in English but can be broader, encompassing any manual worker, while "ремонтник" is more niche for repair roles. In Russian, these words are often used in formal writing or speech; avoid "рабочий" in highly informal settings where "парень" (guy) might suffice. Grammatically, always decline based on case (e.g., use genitive for possession: "инструменты рабочего" - the workman's tools). When choosing between translations, opt for "ремонтник" if the context is repair-specific, as it avoids ambiguity with general workers.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "рабочий" with "работник": English learners often use "работник" (a more general worker) interchangeably, but it's incorrect for skilled manual labor. Error: "Он работник на стройке" (wrong, as it implies a non-manual role). Correct: "Он рабочий на стройке." Explanation: "Работник" can mean office staff, so specify with context.

• Forgetting declensions: Beginners might say "Я видел рабочий" instead of "Я видел рабочего" in accusative case. Error: "Я видел рабочий." Correct: "Я видел рабочего." Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, so always adjust endings based on sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "рабочий" carry historical weight from the Soviet era, where the working class was idealized in propaganda and literature (e.g., in works by Maxim Gorky). It symbolizes resilience and socialism, so using it in modern contexts might evoke themes of labor rights or industrial heritage, especially in discussions about post-Soviet economic changes.

Related Concepts:

• фабрика (fabrika) - Factory, often associated with workmen in industrial settings.
• профсоюз (profsoyuz) - Trade union, a key organization for protecting workers' rights.
• труд (trud) - Labor, as a broader concept encompassing workman activities.