Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'baboon'

English Word: baboon

Key Russian Translations:

• павиан [ˈpavʲɪən] - [Formal, used in scientific or zoological contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in educational, wildlife, or documentary contexts.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level, as it involves specific vocabulary related to animals and requires basic understanding of Russian noun declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

павиан: [ˈpavʲɪən]

Note on павиан: The stress is on the first syllable. The 'в' sound is pronounced as a voiced labiodental fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers used to English 'v' sounds. Variations in regional accents might soften the vowel sounds slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A large African monkey with a dog-like snout

Translation(s) & Context:

• павиан - Typically used in formal, educational, or descriptive contexts, such as discussing wildlife or biology. It is the standard term in Russian for the animal.

Usage Examples:

• В зоопарке мы видели большого павиана, который сидел на скале.

  In the zoo, we saw a large baboon sitting on a rock. (This example shows the noun in a simple descriptive sentence, highlighting its use in everyday observations.)

• Павианы обитают в африканских саваннах и известны своей социальной структурой.

  Baboons inhabit African savannas and are known for their social structure. (This demonstrates the word in a factual, informative context, such as in a documentary or educational text.)

• Исследователи изучили поведение павиана в дикой природе.

  Researchers studied the behavior of the baboon in the wild. (Here, it appears in a scientific context, showing how it integrates with verbs and prepositional phrases.)

• Дети были в восторге от павиана в цирковом представлении.

  The children were delighted by the baboon in the circus performance. (This example illustrates the word in a cultural or entertainment setting, varying the grammatical structure.)

• Павиан, как и другие приматы, имеет сложные социальные взаимодействия.

  The baboon, like other primates, has complex social interactions. (This shows comparative usage, emphasizing its role in broader discussions.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Павиан" is a masculine noun (3rd declension in Russian). It follows the standard pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with regular inflections across cases and numbers. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: The word is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мандариль - Less common, often used in specific regional or older texts; implies a similar but not identical type of baboon.
  • гамадрил - Refers specifically to the hamadryas baboon, a subspecies, with subtle differences in connotation for detailed zoological discussions.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as this is a specific animal term. However, broader opposites might include non-primate animals like "хищник" (predator) in ecological contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Африканский павиан - African baboon; Used in geographical or wildlife descriptions to specify the habitat.
• Стая павианов - Troop of baboons; Common in discussions of animal behavior and social groups.
• Павиан в зоопарке - Baboon in the zoo; A phrase for everyday contexts like family outings or educational visits.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "павиан" directly corresponds to the English "baboon" as a specific type of primate. It is primarily used in formal or educational settings rather than casual conversation. When choosing between synonyms like "мандариль," opt for "павиан" for general accuracy. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical gender—treat it as masculine—and ensure proper declension based on sentence structure. For example, in questions or descriptions, it often pairs with adjectives like "большой" (large) to add detail.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "бабун" (a non-standard or incorrect form) instead of "павиан." Correct: Always use "павиан" for accuracy. Explanation: "Бабун" might be a misspelling or confusion with English roots, but it is not recognized in standard Russian and could lead to misunderstandings.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun in sentences, e.g., saying "с павиан" instead of "с павианом" in the instrumental case. Correct: "Я гулял с павианом" (I walked with the baboon). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so learners must adjust endings based on the sentence's role, unlike English which doesn't decline nouns.

• Error: Confusing it with "обезьяна" (monkey), treating them as identical. Correct: Use "павиан" for the specific animal. Explanation: "Обезьяна" is a general term, so specificity is key in precise contexts like biology.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, baboons like "павиан" are not central to folklore but appear in educational media and children's stories about animals. They symbolize wild, untamed nature, often contrasting with domesticated animals in literature. In modern contexts, references might tie to environmental conservation efforts in Africa, reflecting Russia's interest in global wildlife documentaries.

Related Concepts:

• обезьяна (monkey)
• примат (primate)
• саванна (savanna)