Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Barrage'

English Word: barrage

Key Russian Translations:

• залп [zalp] - [Military, Literal]
• град [ɡrat] - [Figurative, Often for criticism or questions]
• обстрел [ɐpˈstrʲel] - [Military, Sustained attack]

Frequency: Medium (used in specific contexts like military or figurative speech)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate - varies by context and translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

залп: [zalp]

Note on залп: Stress on the first syllable; pronounced with a clear, sharp 'z' sound.

град: [ɡrat]

Note on град: Stress on the first syllable; the 'r' is rolled slightly.

обстрел: [ɐpˈstrʲel]

Note on обстрел: Stress on the second syllable; 'str' cluster can be challenging for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Military Context (a concentrated artillery bombardment)

Translation(s) & Context:

• залп - Used for a single, concentrated volley or salvo of artillery.
• обстрел - Refers to sustained shelling or bombardment over a period.

Usage Examples:

• Артиллерия выпустила мощный залп по позициям врага.

  The artillery fired a powerful barrage at the enemy's positions.

• Город подвергся обстрелу в течение нескольких часов.

  The city was under barrage for several hours.

2. Figurative Context (a large number of questions, criticisms, etc., delivered rapidly)

Translation(s) & Context:

• град - Commonly used for a rapid succession of questions, complaints, or criticism.

Usage Examples:

• На него обрушился град вопросов после выступления.

  A barrage of questions rained down on him after the speech.

• Журналисты устроили настоящий град обвинений.

  The journalists launched a real barrage of accusations.

• Она не смогла ответить на град критики в свой адрес.

  She couldn’t respond to the barrage of criticism directed at her.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

залп (noun, masculine):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	залп	залпы
Genitive	залпа	залпов
Dative	залпу	залпам
Accusative	залп	залпы
Instrumental	залпом	залпами
Prepositional	о залпе	о залпах

град (noun, masculine): Follows similar declension patterns as залп (masculine, inanimate).

обстрел (noun, masculine): Follows regular masculine declension; derived from the verb "обстреливать" (to shell).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for залп:

• выстрел (shot)
• salvo (borrowed term in specific contexts)

Note: "выстрел" is more general and can refer to a single shot, while "залп" implies a coordinated volley.

Synonyms for град:

• поток (stream)
• шквал (squall, storm)

Antonyms: None directly applicable in most contexts (specific to context).

Related Phrases:

• артиллерийский залп - Artillery barrage (military context).
• град вопросов - Barrage of questions (figurative context).
• подвергаться обстрелу - To be under barrage/shelling (military or metaphorical).

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "залп" and "обстрел" depends on duration and intensity. Use "залп" for a short, concentrated burst and "обстрел" for prolonged shelling.
• "град" is almost exclusively figurative and should not be used in literal military contexts.
• Be mindful of the context when translating "barrage"; literal (military) and figurative (questions/criticism) meanings do not overlap in Russian translations.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "град" in a military context (e.g., *артиллерийский град* is incorrect). Correction: Use "залп" or "обстрел" instead.
• Error: Misusing "залп" for sustained bombardment (e.g., *залп длился часами* sounds unnatural). Correction: Use "обстрел" for prolonged actions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, military terminology like "залп" and "обстрел" carries historical weight due to the country's extensive military history, especially in contexts related to World War II. These terms may evoke strong imagery or associations in Russian-speaking audiences.

Related Concepts:

• атака (attack)
• бомбардировка (bombardment)
• критика (criticism, related to figurative "град")