преда́тель
predátelʹmasculine
The English word "traitor" is translated into Russian as преда́тель (predátelʹ) or изме́нник. Wiktionary also lists преда́тельница (predátelʹnica) and изме́нница (izménnica).
Meaning: one who betrays, a betrayer (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| преда́тель | predátelʹ | masculine |
| преда́тельница | predátelʹnica | feminine |
| изме́нник | izménnik | masculine |
| изме́нница | izménnica | feminine |
What does it mean word for word?
The word преда́тель is derived from the verb предать, which means to betray or to hand over.
Which one should you use?
While both terms mean traitor, преда́тель is more general and can refer to personal betrayal. In contrast, изме́нник is more specifically used for political or state treason.
How does it change in a sentence?
Russian uses gendered forms for these nouns. The masculine form of преда́тель is преда́тель, and its feminine form is преда́тельница. Similarly, the masculine form of изме́нник is изме́нник and its feminine form is изме́нница.
How do you pronounce it?
predátelʹ
When do people say it?
The phrase Враг народа means "enemy of the people" and has been used historically to refer to traitors.
Did you know?
- The word преда́тель shares a root with the word преда́ние, which means 'tradition' or 'legend'. Both come from the idea of 'handing over' or 'passing on' something to another person.
- The term изме́нник is often associated with the concept of 'infidelity' in a marriage, as the root word изме́на covers both political treason and marital unfaithfulness.
- In Russian, the verb предать (to betray) is nearly identical to передать (to transfer). A slight change in prefix shifts the meaning from a neutral act of giving to a criminal act of betrayal.
Examples in context
- Константин оказался настоящим предателемKonstantin turned out to be a real traitor.
- Виктория оказалась предательницей и продала насVictoria turned out to be a traitor and sold us out.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a former friend who leaked company secrets.
- Сергей SergeyТы слышал, что он сделал?Ty slyshal, chto on sdelal?Did you hear what he did?
- Анастасия AnastasiaДа, он настоящий преда́тель.Da, on nastoyashchiy predatel'.Yes, he is a real traitor.
- Сергей SergeyАнастасия тоже очень расстроена.Anastasiya tozhe ochen' rasstroena.Anastasia is also very upset.
- Анастасия AnastasiaСергей, мы должны об этом сообщить.Sergey, my dolzhny ob etom soobshchit'.Sergey, we must report this.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “traitor” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
