спаситель
spasitel'
The Russian word for "saviour" is спаситель (spasitel').
спаситель refers to a person who saves someone from a dangerous or difficult situation. In religious contexts, when used as a title for Jesus Christ, it is often capitalized as Спаситель.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the verb спасать (to save) and the suffix -тель which denotes an agent or doer.
How does it change in a sentence?
When the word is the direct object of a verb, such as 'I see the saviour', the ending changes from –тель to –теля (спасителя).
How do you pronounce it?
spasitel'
Did you know?
- In casual settings, calling someone a спаситель for a small favor, like bringing an umbrella, is a common form of hyperbolic humor that feels less formal than the English 'saviour'.
- The root спас- is shared with 'Spas', a series of traditional feast days that celebrate both divine protection and the harvest of honey and fruit.
- The suffix -тель in спаситель is a productive agent noun marker that mirrors the English '-er' or '-or', appearing in words ranging from 'teacher' учитель to 'parent' родитель.
Examples in context
- Иисус Христос Спаситель мираJesus Christ is the savior of the world
- Спасибо тебе, ты мой истинный избавительThank you, you're my true saviour
- Ты мне спаситель в беде!You are my saviour in distress!
- Спасибо тебе за выручку!Thank you for being my saviour!
- Этот врач настоящий спаситель для многих пациентов.Etot vrach nastoyashchiy spasitel' dlya mnogikh patsiyentov.This doctor is a true saviour for many patients.
Example conversation
Anastasia lost her keys and Dmitry found them.
- Анастасия AnastasiaДмитрий, ты нашёл мои ключи!Dmitriy, ty nashyol moi klyuchi!Dmitry, you found my keys!
- Дмитрий DmitryДа, они лежали под диваном.Da, oni lezhali pod divanom.Yes, they were lying under the sofa.
- Анастасия AnastasiaТы мой спаситель, спасибо большое!Ty moy spasitel, spasibo bolshoye!You are my saviour, thank you so much!
- Дмитрий DmitryНе за что, Анастасия.Ne za chto, Anastasiya.You're welcome, Anastasia.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
