Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Billow'

English Word: billow

Key Russian Translations:

• волна [ˈvolnə] - [Common, used for waves or billowing motion]
• вздуваться [vzduˈvatʲsʲə] - [Verb, used for swelling or billowing out]
• развеваться [rəzvʲɪˈvatʲsʲə] - [Verb, often for fabric or flags billowing in the wind]

Frequency: Medium (used in specific contexts like nature or poetic language)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate, varies by translation; "волна" is easier, while verbs are more complex)

Pronunciation (Russian):

волна: [ˈvolnə]

Note on волна: Stress falls on the first syllable, a common pattern in Russian nouns.

вздуваться: [vzduˈvatʲsʲə]

Note on вздуваться: Pay attention to the soft "тʲ" sound, a typical Russian palatalization.

развеваться: [rəzvʲɪˈvatʲsʲə]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To swell or surge like a wave (e.g., clouds, smoke, or water)

Translation(s) & Context:

• волна - Often used for natural phenomena like waves or billowing clouds.
• вздуваться - Used as a verb for something swelling or puffing up (e.g., sails or smoke).

Usage Examples:

• Облака волнами катились по небу.

  The clouds billowed across the sky like waves.

• Дым вздувался над огнем.

  The smoke billowed over the fire.

• Волны вздымались и падали с грохотом.

  The waves billowed and crashed with a roar.

2. To flutter or wave in the wind (e.g., fabric or flags)

Translation(s) & Context:

• развеваться - Commonly used for fabric, hair, or flags moving in the wind.

Usage Examples:

• Флаг развевался на ветру.

  The flag billowed in the wind.

• Её волосы развевались за спиной.

  Her hair billowed behind her.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

волна (noun, feminine): Follows standard feminine noun declension in Russian.

вздуваться (verb, reflexive): Imperfective verb, conjugated as a first-conjugation verb with reflexive suffix "-ся". Commonly used in past, present, and infinitive forms.

развеваться (verb, reflexive): Imperfective verb, follows similar conjugation patterns to "вздуваться".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for волна:

• зыбь (ripple, slight wave)
• прибой (surf, breaking wave)

Note: "зыбь" is more subtle than "волна", often for smaller waves or ripples.

Antonyms for волна:

• штиль (calm, stillness)

Related Phrases:

• волна за волной - "wave after wave" (used for repetitive or successive events)
• вздуваться от ветра - "to billow from the wind" (often for sails or fabric)
• развеваться на ветру - "to billow in the wind" (common for flags or clothing)

Usage Notes:

• "волна" is the most versatile translation for "billow" when referring to natural phenomena like waves or clouds, but it is a noun and may require grammatical adjustment in sentences.
• "вздуваться" and "развеваться" are verbs and better suited for actions (swelling or fluttering). Use "вздуваться" for puffing up or bulging, and "развеваться" for waving or fluttering in the wind.
• Be mindful of the context, as "billow" can be poetic in English, and Russian translations may carry similar stylistic weight.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "волна" as a verb. Incorrect: *Волна на ветру* (intended: "billow in the wind"). Correct: Use "развеваться" for actions, e.g., "Флаг развевался на ветру".
• Error: Misusing "вздуваться" for non-physical swelling (e.g., emotions). Correct: "вздуваться" is mostly physical; for metaphorical swelling, other verbs like "набухать" may be better.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature and poetry, "волна" often symbolizes power, unpredictability, or emotion, much like "billow" in English. It is frequently used in descriptions of the sea or nature, reflecting Russia's historical connection to vast landscapes and waterways.

Related Concepts:

• море (sea)
• ветер (wind)
• облако (cloud)