Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'aviary'

English Word: aviary

Key Russian Translations:

• вольер /vɐlʲˈjer/ - [Formal, Used for large enclosures]
• птичник /ˈptʲitɕnʲik/ - [Informal, Plural forms possible]

Frequency: Medium (Common in contexts like zoos or wildlife discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions, suitable for learners with basic Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вольер: /vɐlʲˈjer/

Note on вольер: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'л' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'р'.

птичник: /ˈptʲitɕnʲik/

Note on птичник: The initial 'пт' cluster can be tricky; pronounce it as a quick blend without separating the sounds. No major regional variants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A large enclosure for birds, often in a zoo or garden.

Translation(s) & Context:

• вольер - Used in formal or scientific contexts, such as describing wildlife preserves or zoos.
• птичник - More informal, often for smaller, domestic bird enclosures like in a backyard.

Usage Examples:

• В зоопарке есть большой вольер для попугаев.

  In the zoo, there is a large aviary for parrots.

• Мы построили птичник в саду, чтобы защитить птиц от хищников.

  We built a birdhouse in the garden to protect the birds from predators.

• Вольер в ботаническом саду полон экзотических видов.

  The aviary in the botanical garden is full of exotic species.

• Его птичник стал популярным местом для наблюдения за перелетными птицами.

  His aviary became a popular spot for watching migratory birds.

• В музее истории природы есть впечатляющий вольер с редкими пернатыми.

  In the natural history museum, there is an impressive aviary with rare birds.

Secondary Meaning: Metaphorical use, e.g., a place with many birds or a crowded area.

Translation(s) & Context:

• птичник - Informal, metaphorical for a noisy or crowded space with birds or people.

Usage Examples:

• Городской парк превратился в настоящий птичник весной.

  The city park turned into a real aviary in the spring.

• Её квартира — это птичник из-за всех этих канареек.

  Her apartment is like an aviary because of all these canaries.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "вольер" and "птичник" are masculine nouns in Russian, following standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns.

For "вольер" (irregular in some aspects due to its borrowed origin):

For "птичник" (regular):

These nouns do not change in gender but inflect for case and number as shown.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • птичий сад (ptichiy sad) - More poetic, used for gardens with birds.
  • авиярий (aviyariy) - Direct borrowing, less common.
• Antonyms:
  • пустыня (pustyna) - Desert, implying a lack of birds or life.

Related Phrases:

• Большой вольер для птиц - Big aviary for birds; used in zoo descriptions.
• Строить птичник - To build a birdhouse; common in DIY or gardening contexts.
• Птичий вольер в саду - Aviary in the garden; implies a domestic setting.

Usage Notes:

"Aviary" corresponds most closely to "вольер" in formal contexts like zoology, while "птичник" is better for everyday or informal use. Always consider the context: use "вольер" for public or scientific settings and "птичник" for personal ones. Grammatically, these nouns require appropriate case agreement with prepositions, e.g., 'в вольере' (in the aviary). When choosing between translations, opt for "вольер" if emphasizing size and formality.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "вольер" in plural without proper inflection, e.g., saying "вольеры" as "вольерс". Correct: "вольеры". Explanation: Russian nouns must follow declension rules; English speakers often forget case endings.

• Error: Confusing with "птица" (bird), leading to phrases like "птица вольер" instead of "вольер для птиц". Correct: "Вольер для птиц". Explanation: "Aviary" is a container, not the bird itself, so structure sentences accordingly.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, aviaries like those in Moscow's zoo reflect a historical interest in ornithology and nature preservation, dating back to the 19th century. Terms like "вольер" often appear in literature by authors such as Chekhov, symbolizing freedom versus captivity.

Related Concepts:

• зоопарк (zoo)
• птица (bird)
• ботанический сад (botanical garden)