Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| библиоте́карь | bibliotékarʹ | masculine |
| библиоте́карша | bibliotékarša | feminine |
The term is used to describe a person who cares for publications and other materials in a library.
Which one should you use?
The masculine form библиоте́карь is the standard term used for male librarians or as a generic term for the profession that applies regardless of gender. The feminine form библиоте́карша is used specifically when referring to a female librarian.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The masculine form библиоте́карь is the most common and universally accepted translation. The feminine form библиоте́карша is grammatically correct but can sometimes carry a slightly colloquial or informal connotation compared to the more neutral masculine form.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form библиоте́карь serves as the generic term for the profession, while библиоте́карша is the version used specifically for females.
How do you pronounce it?
bibliotékarʹ
Did you know?
- In the Soviet era, the библиотекарь often served as a political gatekeeper who decided which foreign or 'subversive' books were accessible to the public.
- While библиотекарь is the professional title, the feminine form библиотекарша can sometimes imply a nagging or overly strict personality in a colloquial context.
- The word библиотека is a loanword from Latin, but the suffix -карь is a specifically Russian way of denoting a trade or craft.
Examples in context
- Новая библиотека открылась, и там уже работает новый библиотекарьThe new library opened, and there is already a new librarian working there
Sources
- Wiktionary, “librarian” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
