Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bevy'

English Word: bevy

Key Russian Translations:

• Стаей [ˈstaɪj] - [Informal, Plural form often used for groups of animals]
• Группа [ˈɡru.pə] - [Formal, General use for organized groups]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, especially in contexts like nature or social gatherings, but not as frequent as basic nouns).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun cases and plural forms, which can vary by translation).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Стаей: [ˈstaɪj] (The stress is on the first syllable; note the soft 'й' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to its palatalization).

Группа: [ˈɡru.pə] (Stress on the first syllable; the 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, similar to the 'g' in 'go', but ensure it's not aspirated).

Note on Стаей: This word often has a soft ending that changes in different cases; beginners may confuse it with similar-sounding words like "стая" in nominative.

Note on Группа: Pronunciation remains relatively consistent, but in fast speech, the final 'a' can soften.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A large group of animals, especially birds (Primary literal sense of 'bevy')

Translation(s) & Context:

• Стаей - Used in informal or descriptive contexts, such as wildlife descriptions or storytelling.
• Группа - Less common for animals; used in more formal or scientific contexts, like biology reports.

Usage Examples:

• В небе летела большая стая птиц. (In the sky flew a large bevy of birds.)

  English Translation: In the sky flew a large bevy of birds.

• Мы наблюдали, как стая уток приземлилась на озеро. (We watched as a bevy of ducks landed on the lake.)

  English Translation: We watched as a bevy of ducks landed on the lake.

• Эта стая животных мигрирует каждую осень. (This bevy of animals migrates every autumn.)

  English Translation: This bevy of animals migrates every autumn.

• Стая воробьев устроила хаос в саду. (The bevy of sparrows created chaos in the garden.)

  English Translation: The bevy of sparrows created chaos in the garden.

Meaning 2: A large group of people or things (Extended metaphorical sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Группа - Best for organized or formal groups, such as in social or professional settings.
• Стаей - Occasionally used metaphorically for crowds, but less common and more poetic.

Usage Examples:

• На вечеринке была большая группа друзей. (At the party, there was a large bevy of friends.)

  English Translation: At the party, there was a large bevy of friends.

• Эта группа туристов заполнила весь автобус. (This bevy of tourists filled the entire bus.)

  English Translation: This bevy of tourists filled the entire bus.

• Группа детей играла на улице, как стая птенцов. (The bevy of children played on the street like a flock of chicks.)

  English Translation: The bevy of children played on the street like a flock of chicks.

• В музее собралась группа энтузиастов. (A bevy of enthusiasts gathered in the museum.)

  English Translation: A bevy of enthusiasts gathered in the museum.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "Стаей" (feminine noun, from "стая"):

This word follows the standard first declension pattern for feminine nouns. It is irregular in some cases due to its ending.

For "Группа" (feminine noun):

This follows a regular first declension pattern and is straightforward with no major irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Толпа (crowd, with a connotation of disorder), Шайка (gang, for negative groups), Коллектив (collective, for organized teams)
• Antonyms: Один (alone, individual), Изоляция (isolation, for separation)

Note: "Толпа" is often used for chaotic groups, making it a close synonym but with a more negative nuance than "Группа".

Related Phrases:

• Лететь стаей - (To fly in a bevy; used for birds or metaphorically for group movement)
• Собраться в группу - (To gather in a bevy; common in social contexts)
• Большая стая птиц - (A large bevy of birds; descriptive phrase for wildlife)

Usage Notes:

"Bevy" translates most accurately to "Стаей" when referring to animals, but "Группа" is preferable for human groups to match the formal tone of English usage. Be mindful of Russian case systems; for example, use genitive for possession (e.g., 'of the bevy'). In informal speech, "Стаей" might sound poetic, so opt for "Группа" in everyday conversations. When choosing between translations, consider the context: animal-related scenarios favor "Стаей", while professional or social ones favor "Группа".

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Стаей" for human groups, e.g., "Стаей людей" instead of "Группа людей". Correct: "Группа людей" (A bevy of people). Explanation: "Стаей" implies animals, leading to awkward phrasing; always check context to avoid literal translations.
• Error: Forgetting case changes, e.g., using nominative "Стая" in instrumental contexts. Correct: Use "Стаей" for instrumental. Explanation: Russian nouns decline based on sentence role, unlike English, so learners must practice declensions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Стаей" often evoke imagery from folklore or nature, such as in stories about migratory birds, symbolizing community or transience. This reflects Russia's vast landscapes and literary traditions, where group dynamics in nature are frequently romanticized in works by authors like Tolstoy.

Related Concepts:

• Стая
• Толпа
• Коллектив