Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Bear'

English Word: bear

Key Russian Translations:

• медведь [mʲɪdˈvʲetʲ] - [Common, Singular, Informal]
• медведи [mʲɪdˈvʲedʲɪ] - [Plural]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

медведь: [mʲɪdˈvʲetʲ]

Note on медведь: Stress falls on the second syllable. The soft 'д' sound can be tricky for English speakers; ensure a palatalized pronunciation.

медведи: [mʲɪdˈvʲedʲɪ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A large mammal (animal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• медведь - Used to refer to the animal 'bear' in general or a single bear, common in both spoken and written language.

Usage Examples:

• В лесу живёт большой медведь.

  A large bear lives in the forest.

• Медведь спит зимой в берлоге.

  The bear sleeps in a den during winter.

• Мы видели медведей в зоопарке.

  We saw bears at the zoo.

• Этот медведь выглядит очень сильным.

  This bear looks very strong.

• Медведи часто ищут еду в горах.

  Bears often look for food in the mountains.

2. Figurative use (clumsy or strong person)

Translation(s) & Context:

• медведь - Informally used to describe a person who is clumsy, awkward, or very strong.

Usage Examples:

• Он как медведь, всё роняет.

  He’s like a bear, always dropping things.

• Этот парень — настоящий медведь, такой сильный!

  This guy is a real bear, so strong!

• Не будь медведем, танцуй аккуратнее.

  Don’t be a bear, dance more carefully.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

медведь is a masculine noun and follows the second declension pattern in Russian. It has both singular and plural forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• косолапый (informal, often figurative for clumsiness)
• топтыгин (colloquial, affectionate or literary)

Note: 'косолапый' often implies clumsiness, while 'топтыгин' is a more affectionate or literary term for a bear.

Antonyms:

• None directly applicable (as 'bear' as an animal doesn’t have a direct opposite in common usage).

Related Phrases:

• медвежья услуга - "a bear’s favor" (doing someone a disservice while trying to help).
• медвежий угол - "bear’s corner" (a remote, isolated place).
• как медведь в посудной лавке - "like a bear in a china shop" (acting clumsily or destructively).

Usage Notes:

• The word 'медведь' is the standard and most common term for 'bear' in Russian, used in both literal and figurative contexts.
• In informal speech, it can describe a clumsy or strong person, similar to English usage. Be mindful of the tone, as it might be perceived as rude if not used playfully.
• Russian declension rules apply strictly to 'медведь'; incorrect case endings can lead to misunderstandings, so learning the full declension table is recommended.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the nominative case 'медведь' instead of the correct case form in a sentence (e.g., saying "Я вижу медведь" instead of "Я вижу медведя").

  Explanation: Russian nouns must agree with the case required by the verb or preposition. 'Вижу' (I see) requires the accusative case, so 'медведя' is correct.

• Error: Mispronouncing 'медведь' with stress on the first syllable (e.g., [ˈmʲedvʲetʲ]).

  Explanation: Stress in Russian is crucial; the correct stress is on the second syllable [mʲɪdˈvʲetʲ]. Incorrect stress can make the word sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the bear (медведь) is a powerful symbol often associated with strength, wilderness, and even the Russian national identity in folklore and literature. Bears appear frequently in fairy tales (e.g., "Маша и Медведь" - Masha and the Bear) and are sometimes used as a stereotype for Russia in international contexts. The bear is also a common figure in proverbs and idioms, reflecting both admiration and caution.

Related Concepts:

• лес (forest)
• берлога (den)
• сила (strength)
• дикий (wild)