Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bough'

English Word: bough

Key Russian Translations:

• ветвь [ˈvʲet͡vʲ] - [Formal, Singular]
• ветка [ˈvʲetkə] - [Informal, Singular, Often used for smaller branches]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

ветвь: [ˈvʲet͡vʲ]

Note on ветвь: The soft sign (ь) indicates a palatalized pronunciation of the preceding consonant.

ветка: [ˈvʲetkə]

Note on ветка: The stress is on the first syllable, and the final 'a' is reduced in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A large branch of a tree

Translation(s) & Context:

• ветвь - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe a significant branch of a tree.

Usage Examples:

• На ветви старого дуба сидела птица.

  A bird was sitting on the bough of an old oak tree.

• Ветвь сломалась под тяжестью снега.

  The bough broke under the weight of the snow.

• Он повесил гамак между двумя крепкими ветвями.

  He hung a hammock between two sturdy boughs.

2. A smaller branch or twig

Translation(s) & Context:

• ветка - Commonly used in everyday speech for smaller branches or twigs.

Usage Examples:

• Она сломала ветку, чтобы разжечь костёр.

  She broke a bough to start a fire.

• На ветке расцвели первые цветы.

  The first flowers bloomed on the bough.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

ветвь (feminine noun): Follows the first declension pattern in Russian with some irregularities due to the soft sign.

ветка (feminine noun): Follows the regular first declension pattern.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for ветвь/ветка:

• сучок (smaller branch or knot)
• побег (shoot or sprout, often for young branches)

Antonyms for ветвь/ветка:

• ствол (trunk)
• корень (root)

Note: Synonyms like "сучок" are more specific to smaller or broken branches, while "побег" often implies growth.

Related Phrases:

• ветвь дерева - Branch of a tree (literal usage)
• ветка сирени - Lilac branch (common in poetic or everyday contexts)
• сломать ветку - To break a branch (common expression for physical action)

Usage Notes:

• "ветвь" is more formal and often used in written language or to describe larger, significant branches. It can also have metaphorical uses, such as "branch of science" (ветвь науки).
• "ветка" is more common in spoken Russian and typically refers to smaller branches or twigs. It is also used in expressions like "ветка метро" (metro line).
• Choose "ветвь" for literary or formal contexts and "ветка" for casual or everyday speech.

Common Errors:

• Mixing "ветвь" and "ветка" without regard to context: English speakers often use them interchangeably, but "ветвь" sounds out of place in casual conversation. For example, saying "ветвь" when referring to a small twig sounds overly formal. Correct: "ветка" for small branches in everyday speech.
• Incorrect case usage: Failing to decline the noun according to Russian grammar rules. Incorrect: "Я вижу ветвь дерева" (accusative should be used); Correct: "Я вижу ветвь дерева" remains correct as it matches nominative/accusative for inanimate objects, but learners often struggle with other cases.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, branches (especially "ветка") often appear in folklore and poetry, symbolizing nature, growth, or fragility. During certain holidays like Palm Sunday (Вербное воскресенье), willow branches ("верба") are used in religious and cultural rituals, which might be associated with the concept of "bough."

Related Concepts:

• дерево (tree)
• лист (leaf)
• корень (root)
• ствол (trunk)