смотритель
smotritel'
The English phrase "warden" is translated into Russian as смотритель (smotritel').
смотритель is used to refer to a warden, such as a chief administrative officer of a prison. Beyond the prison context, it is also the standard term for a caretaker or a keeper of a park, museum or estate.
Meaning: a chief administrative officer of a prison (noun)
Which one should you use?
The word надзиратель is used to describe a supervisor or a person in charge of overseeing a particular area or group of individuals.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the noun is смотрители.
How do you pronounce it?
smotritel'
Did you know?
- In Nikolai Gogol's famous short story 'The Station Master', the protagonist is a смотритель who manages a remote postal outpost rather than a prison.
- In the context of Russian museums, a смотритель is not a high-ranking official but often refers to a simple attendant who watches over the exhibits and maintains the order of the room.
- The word смотритель is built from the verb смотре́ть, which means 'to look' or 'to watch'. This suggests that a warden's primary function is defined simply as 'one who watches'.
Examples in context
- У нашего надзирателя строгие правила.Our warden has strict rules.
- Надзиратель был внимателен к потребностям заключенных.The warden was attentive to the needs of the prisoners.
Example conversation
Dmitry and Maria are discussing a plot of a movie.
- Дмитрий DmitryКто главный злодей в фильме?Kto glavnyy zlodey v fil'me?Who is the main villain in the movie?
- Мария MariaЭто жестокий смотритель тюрьмы.Eto zhestokiy smotritel' tyur'my.It is a cruel prison warden.
- Дмитрий DmitryОн всегда так ведет себя?On vsegda tak vedet sebya?Does he always act like that?
- Мария MariaДа, этот смотритель пугает всех.Da, etot smotritel' pugayet vsekh.Yes, this warden scares everyone.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries смотритель, CC BY-SA 4.0.
