Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'barranca'

English Word: barranca

Key Russian Translations:

• ущелье [ʊˈʂːelʲjə] - [Formal, used in geographical or descriptive contexts]
• расщелина [rɐˈʂːɛlʲɪnə] - [Formal, often for narrower or more technical ravines]
• овраг [ɐˈvrax] - [Informal, colloquial for everyday or rural descriptions]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation but appear in literature, geography, or specialized texts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and vocabulary related to natural features, making it challenging for beginners but manageable for intermediate learners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ущелье: [ʊˈʂːelʲjə]

расщелина: [rɐˈʂːɛlʲɪnə]

овраг: [ɐˈvrax]

Note on ущелье: The initial "ущ" sound is a soft palatalized "shch" which can be tricky for English speakers; it blends "sh" and "ch". Pronounce it with a quick, flowing transition.

Note on расщелина: Stress on the third syllable; avoid overemphasizing the "щ" to prevent it from sounding like separate "sh" and "ch" sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A steep-sided gully, ravine, or deep valley formed by erosion.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ущелье - Used in formal descriptions of natural landscapes, such as in hiking guides or geological texts.
• расщелина - Applied in more precise or scientific contexts, like mountaineering or environmental reports.
• овраг - Common in informal or rural settings, such as local folklore or everyday speech about terrain.

Usage Examples:

• Русские путешественники спустились в глубокое ущелье, чтобы исследовать скрытые пещеры.

  English Translation: Russian travelers descended into the deep barranca to explore hidden caves.

• В горах часто встречаются опасные расщелины, подобные этой баракке, где вода течет с огромной скоростью.

  English Translation: In the mountains, dangerous ravines similar to this barranca are often found, where water flows at tremendous speed.

• Местные жители избегают ходить по оврагу после дождя, так как он становится скользким и непредсказуемым.

  English Translation: Local residents avoid walking through the barranca after rain, as it becomes slippery and unpredictable.

• Туристы фотографировали величественное ущелье, которое напоминало древнюю баракку из легенд.

  English Translation: Tourists photographed the majestic barranca, which resembled an ancient ravine from legends.

• Геологи изучили расщелину в скале, чтобы понять, как образовалась эта природная баракка.

  English Translation: Geologists examined the crevice in the rock to understand how this natural barranca was formed.

Secondary Meaning: Figurative use for a difficult or challenging situation (less common in Russian).

Translation(s) & Context:

• ущелье - Metaphorically in literature, e.g., for emotional or metaphorical "traps".

Usage Examples:

• Его жизнь превратилась в настоящее ущелье борьбы и преодолений.

  English Translation: His life turned into a real barranca of struggles and overcoming.

• В этой расщелине проблем она потеряла надежду, но потом все изменилось.

  English Translation: In this barranca of problems, she lost hope, but then everything changed.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Most translations like "ущелье" and "расщелина" are neuter nouns in Russian, which follow standard declension patterns. "Овраг" is a masculine noun. Below is a table outlining the key inflections for each:

These nouns are regular in their declensions, with no irregularities. Always adjust based on case to fit sentence structure.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пропасть (propast') - Similar but implies a deeper abyss; used for more dramatic contexts.
  • каньон (kanyon) - Borrowed term for larger canyon-like features; more modern and specific.
  • бездна (bezdna) - Figurative for an endless depth, often metaphorical.
• Antonyms:
  • плато (plato) - A flat, elevated area, contrasting with the depth of a barranca.
  • равнина (ravnina) - A plain or flatland, emphasizing the opposite of rugged terrain.

Related Phrases:

• Глубокое ущелье - Deep barranca; used to describe profound natural features.
• Скалистая расщелина - Rocky ravine; common in adventure or geological contexts.
• Заросший овраг - Overgrown gully; implies a barranca reclaimed by vegetation, often in rural settings.
• Ущелье в горах - Barranca in the mountains; a standard phrase for mountainous regions.

Usage Notes:

"Barranca" directly corresponds to Russian terms like "ущелье" in formal English-Russian translations, especially in geography. Choose "ущелье" for poetic or descriptive writing, "расщелина" for technical accuracy, and "овраг" for informal speech. Be mindful of Russian's case system; for example, use the genitive case (e.g., ущелья) when indicating possession. This vocabulary is neutral in register but leans formal, so avoid in casual conversations unless in rural dialects.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing gender and declension, e.g., using "ущелья" (genitive) incorrectly in a nominative sentence. Correct: Say "Мы увидели ущелье" (We saw the barranca) instead of "Мы увидели ущелья". Explanation: Russian nouns must match case with their role in the sentence; always check for agreement.
• Mistake: Overusing "овраг" in formal contexts. Correct: Use "ущелье" in academic writing; "овраг" is too colloquial. Explanation: This can make your Russian sound unprofessional, as "овраг" is more dialectal.
• Mistake: Mispronouncing the "щ" sound in "ущелье" as separate "sh" and "ch". Correct: Blend it into a single sound [ʂ]. Explanation: English speakers often split it, which alters the word's clarity in spoken Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "ущелье" often appear in folklore and literature, such as in stories by authors like Tolstoy, symbolizing isolation or adventure in vast landscapes. For instance, the Caucasus Mountains' barrancas are iconic in Russian poetry, evoking themes of natural beauty and human resilience against harsh environments.

Related Concepts:

• гора (mountain)
• река (river)
• пещера (cave)
• скала (cliff)