Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Bonfire'

English Word: Bonfire

Key Russian Translations:

• костёр [kɐˈstʲor] - [Informal, Common]
• огонь [ɐˈgonʲ] - [General, Can be metaphorical]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in specific contexts like camping or celebrations)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "костёр"; B1 for metaphorical uses of "огонь")

Pronunciation (Russian):

костёр: [kɐˈstʲor]

Note on костёр: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ё" is always stressed and pronounced as "yo".

огонь: [ɐˈgonʲ]

Note on огонь: Stress on the second syllable. The final "ь" softens the preceding consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A large outdoor fire (literal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• костёр - Used for a literal bonfire, often in camping, celebrations, or outdoor settings.

Usage Examples:

• Мы сидели у костра и пели песни.

  We sat by the bonfire and sang songs.

• Разведи костёр, чтобы согреться.

  Light a bonfire to warm up.

• На празднике был огромный костёр.

  There was a huge bonfire at the celebration.

2. Fire in a metaphorical sense (passion, energy)

Translation(s) & Context:

• огонь - Used metaphorically to describe passion, zeal, or energy.

Usage Examples:

• В его глазах горел огонь страсти.

  A fire of passion burned in his eyes.

• Она говорит с таким огнём, что всех вдохновляет.

  She speaks with such fire that she inspires everyone.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

костёр (noun, masculine, inanimate):

огонь (noun, masculine, inanimate):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for костёр:

• огнище
• пламя (more general, "flame")

Note: "огнище" is less common and may sound regional or archaic.

Antonyms for костёр/огонь:

• лёд (ice, metaphorically for coldness)
• холод (cold)

Related Phrases:

• развести костёр - to light a bonfire
• тушить костёр - to extinguish a bonfire
• огонь в душе - fire in the soul (passion or strong emotion)

Usage Notes:

• "костёр" is the direct and most common translation for a literal bonfire, used in everyday speech for outdoor fires during camping or events.
• "огонь" can mean "fire" in general and is often used metaphorically to describe emotions or energy. It is less specific to "bonfire" unless contextually implied.
• Be mindful of the context: using "огонь" for a literal bonfire might sound overly poetic or vague in casual conversation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "огонь" instead of "костёр" when referring to a specific bonfire. Example: *Я видел огонь на пляже* (incorrect for a bonfire context). Correct: *Я видел костёр на пляже* (I saw a bonfire on the beach).
• Error: Misplacing stress in "костёр" as [ˈkostʲor] instead of [kɐˈstʲor]. Incorrect stress can lead to misunderstandings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, a "костёр" (bonfire) is often associated with outdoor gatherings, camping, or traditional celebrations like Maslenitsa, where bonfires symbolize the burning of winter and the arrival of spring. The imagery of fire ("огонь") also carries deep symbolic meaning in Russian literature and folklore, often representing passion, destruction, or purification.

Related Concepts:

• пламя (flame)
• жар (heat, embers)
• дым (smoke)