Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'badger'

English Word: badger

Key Russian Translations:

• барсук [bɐrˈsuk] - [Neutral, Most Common]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

барсук: [bɐrˈsuk]

Note on барсук: The stress falls on the second syllable. The 'р' is rolled, which may be challenging for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A small mammal (animal context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• барсук - Used to refer to the animal 'badger', commonly in zoology or nature discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Барсук живёт в норе и выходит ночью.

  The badger lives in a burrow and comes out at night.

• Мы видели барсука в лесу во время похода.

  We saw a badger in the forest during our hike.

• Барсук известен своей выносливостью и силой.

  The badger is known for its endurance and strength.

2. To pester or nag (figurative, verb context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• приставать - Used in informal contexts to mean 'to badger' or 'to pester' someone.
• доставать - Informal, often with a negative connotation, meaning 'to annoy' or 'to hassle'.

Usage Examples:

• Перестань приставать ко мне с этими вопросами!

  Stop badgering me with these questions!

• Он всё время достаёт меня своими просьбами.

  He keeps badgering me with his requests.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

барсук (noun, masculine): Follows the second declension pattern in Russian. Below is the declension table for singular and plural forms:

приставать (verb): An imperfective verb with regular conjugation in the present tense. Past tense forms vary by gender (e.g., приставал, приставала).

доставать (verb): An imperfective verb with some irregularity in stress patterns in conjugation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for барсук (animal):

• нет точных синонимов (no direct synonyms, as it is a specific animal)

Synonyms for приставать (to pester):

• надоедать
• доставать

Note: 'надоедать' often implies irritation over time, while 'доставать' can suggest more immediate annoyance.

Antonyms: No direct antonyms for 'барсук'. For 'приставать', antonyms could include 'оставить в покое' (to leave alone).

Related Phrases:

• барсучий жир - Badger fat, often referenced in traditional Russian medicine for its supposed healing properties.
• приставать как репей - To badger someone persistently, literally 'to stick like a burr'.

Usage Notes:

• The noun 'барсук' is a direct and specific translation for the animal 'badger'. It is used in both scientific and casual contexts.
• For the verb 'to badger' (meaning to pester), 'приставать' and 'доставать' are informal. Choose 'приставать' for persistent questioning or nagging, and 'доставать' for more general annoyance.
• Be mindful of the context when translating 'badger' as a verb, as Russian does not have a direct equivalent with the same animal imagery.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'барсук' in a figurative sense to mean 'to pester'.
  Incorrect: Он барсук меня своими вопросами.
  Correct: Он пристаёт ко мне своими вопросами.
  Explanation: 'барсук' refers only to the animal and has no figurative meaning in Russian.
• Error: Misplacing stress in 'барсук' (e.g., pronouncing [ˈbɐrsuk] instead of [bɐrˈsuk]).
  Explanation: Incorrect stress can lead to misunderstandings or sound unnatural to native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian folklore and culture, the badger ('барсук') is sometimes associated with resilience and resourcefulness due to its burrowing habits and strength. Additionally, 'барсучий жир' (badger fat) is historically valued in traditional medicine, believed to have healing properties for respiratory issues.

Related Concepts:

• енот (raccoon)
• лисица (fox)
• медведь (bear)