Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bird'

English Word: bird

Key Russian Translations:

• птица [ˈptʲit͡sə] - [General, Singular]
• птицы [ˈptʲit͡sɨ] - [Plural]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner)

Pronunciation (Russian):

птица: [ˈptʲit͡sə]

Note on птица: The stress falls on the first syllable. The 'п' is unaspirated, and 'ц' sounds like 'ts' in 'cats'.

птицы: [ˈptʲit͡sɨ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. General term for a feathered animal

Translation(s) & Context:

• птица - Used as the general term for 'bird' in most contexts (e.g., biology, everyday speech).

Usage Examples:

• В небе летит птица.

  A bird is flying in the sky.

• Эта птица очень красивая.

  This bird is very beautiful.

• Птицы поют каждое утро.

  Birds sing every morning.

• Я видел редкую птицу в лесу.

  I saw a rare bird in the forest.

• На дереве сидят три птицы.

  Three birds are sitting on the tree.

2. Figurative or colloquial usage (e.g., slang for a person)

Translation(s) & Context:

• птица - Rarely used in slang to refer to a quirky or free-spirited person, though less common than in English.

Usage Examples:

• Он такая странная птица.

  He is such a strange bird (person).

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word птица is a feminine noun and follows the first declension pattern in Russian. Below is the declension table for singular and plural forms:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• пернатый (more poetic or scientific, meaning 'feathered one')

Note: Synonyms like 'пернатый' are less common in everyday speech and are often used in specific contexts (e.g., literature or biology).

Antonyms:

• зверь (beast/animal, in contrast to birds)

Related Phrases:

• птица счастья - 'bird of happiness' (refers to a mythical or symbolic bird bringing good fortune)
• птица высокого полёта - 'a bird of high flight' (used to describe an ambitious or successful person)
• как птица в клетке - 'like a bird in a cage' (feeling trapped or restricted)

Usage Notes:

• The word птица is the standard and most versatile translation for 'bird' in Russian, applicable in both formal and informal contexts.
• In plural form (птицы), it is often used when speaking generally about birds as a group or species.
• Be aware that unlike English, Russian does not frequently use 'bird' in slang or colloquial expressions for people; such usage is rare and context-specific.

Common Errors:

• Error: Incorrect case usage, e.g., using nominative 'птица' instead of accusative 'птицу' after verbs like 'видеть' (to see).
  Incorrect: Я вижу птица.
  Correct: Я вижу птицу.
  Explanation: The accusative case is required for direct objects in Russian.
• Error: Misplacing stress when pronouncing 'птица' (e.g., stressing the second syllable).
  Explanation: Stress is always on the first syllable [ˈptʲit͡sə]; incorrect stress can make the word sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian folklore and literature, birds often symbolize freedom, beauty, or spiritual messages. The 'птица счастья' (bird of happiness) is a well-known concept in Russian culture, often depicted in art and stories as a bringer of joy and good fortune. Additionally, specific birds like the журавль (crane) or соловей (nightingale) carry deep symbolic meanings in songs and poetry.

Related Concepts:

• крыло (wing)
• гнездо (nest)
• полёт (flight)
• перо (feather)