Thread: Translation of a very little poem

Ребята is used only in the plural and especially (though not always) in second-person "vocative" constructions -- thus, it's extremely close to English "Hey, you guys!"

Throbert, the word Ребята can have the substitute of "sons"?

I thank you so much for your effort Throbert, I knew from the start this translation, although short, would not be easy to assert. Indeed, it is a powerful epitaph in honour of 9 russian hikers who lost their lives in a very mysterious way back in February of 1959. Once again, thank you for your big help.

Originally Posted by jgonc

the word Ребята can have the substitute of "sons"?

"Ребята" primary meaning is "children". Form "Ребятишки" means more clearly "pre-teenagers".
Children can use "ребята" to refer to themselves.

If adults apply word "ребята" to themselves it is like they are long-term friends, from childhood, who are used to refer to themselves as "ребята". Usually it is sign of strong and long-lasting friendship.

Originally Posted by Alex80

"Ребята" primary meaning is "children". Form "Ребятишки" means more clearly "pre-teenagers".
Children can use "ребята" to refer to themselves.

If adults apply word "ребята" to themselves it is like they are long-term friends, from childhood, who are used to refer to themselves as "ребята". Usually it is sign of strong and long-lasting friendship.

They were not preteens or children - They were, at least, in their prime youth (20s).
The poem/epitaph was made in 1989 by hikers wo wanted to pay a tribute. So we can talk about companions of a sport modality as you referred as "long-time friends". So, it can it be colleagues or buddies?
Thank you Alex80.

Originally Posted by Alex80

"Ребята" primary meaning is "children". Form "Ребятишки" means more clearly "pre-teenagers".
Children can use "ребята" to refer to themselves.

If adults apply word "ребята" to themselves it is like they are long-term friends, from childhood, who are used to refer to themselves as "ребята". Usually it is sign of strong and long-lasting friendship.

Good point. In that sense it's NOT always a good translation of English "guys" -- which can certainly be used to address a group of strangers in a casual way (especially if they're not older than you and the group is mostly male):

"Excuse me, guys, do any of you know if there's a Chinese restaurant called Lucky Panda Garden around here?"

(Personally, I wouldn't say this to a group of men my dad's age -- I'd choose ONE of them and say, "Excuse me, sir...")