попечи́тель
popečítelʹmasculine
The English word 'trustee' is translated into Russian as попечи́тель (popečítelʹ). Wiktionary also lists попечи́тельница (popečítelʹnica) and довери́тельный со́бственник (doverítelʹnyj sóbstvennik).
Meaning: person to whom property is legally committed in trust (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| попечи́тель | popečítelʹ | masculine |
| попечи́тельница | popečítelʹnica | feminine |
| довери́тельный со́бственник | doverítelʹnyj sóbstvennik | masculine |
| довери́тельная со́бственница | doverítelʹnaja sóbstvennica | feminine |
The term refers to a person to whom property is legally committed in trust. It is commonly used to describe a person acting as a guardian or a member of a board of trustees.
Which one should you use?
Use попечи́тель for a trustee in a general sense, such as a guardian or a member of a board of trustees. The forms довери́тельный со́бственник and довери́тельная со́бственница are also available.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form попечи́тель changes to попечи́теля in the accusative case (for example, when saying 'I see the trustee'). The feminine form попечи́тельница changes to попечи́тельницы in the nominative plural.
How do you pronounce it?
popečítelʹ
Did you know?
- Russian law traditionally viewed the concept of a 'trust' as contradictory because the word со́бственник (owner) usually implies absolute control, not a shared or limited trust.
- The word попечи́тель comes from the root for 'care' or 'worry', making the Russian concept of a trustee closer to a 'caretaker' than a legal owner.
- The term довери́тельный со́бственник is a 'calque', meaning it was created by translating the English word 'trustee' piece by piece into Russian.
Examples in context
- В России закон обязует попечителей действовать в лучших интересах детей.In Russia, the law requires trustees to act in the best interests of the children.
- Мой брат выступает в качестве доверенного лица для моих финансовых дел.My brother acts as a trustee for my financial matters.
- Попечи́тель должен следить за имуществом.Popechitel dolzhen sledit' za imushchestvom.The trustee must look after the property.
- Нам нужен новый попечи́тель для фонда.Nam nuzhen novyy popechitel dlya fonda.We need a new trustee for the fund.
Example conversation
Sergei and Olga are discussing the management of a charity fund.
- Ольга OlgaСергей, ты знаешь, кто наш попечи́тель?Sergey, ty znayesh', kto nash popechitel?Sergey, do you know who our trustee is?
- Сергей SergeyДа, он очень опытный попечи́тель.Da, on ochen' opytnyy popechitel.Yes, he is a very experienced trustee.
- Ольга OlgaЭто хорошо для нашего фонда.Eto khorosho dlya nashego fonda.That is good for our fund.
- Сергей SergeyСогласен, он справится с задачей.Soglasen, on spravitsya s zadachey.I agree, he will handle the task.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “trustee” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
