Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Brook'

English Word: brook

Key Russian Translations:

• ручей [rʊˈtɕej] - [Neutral, Common]
• поток [pɐˈtok] - [Neutral, Often Figurative or Larger Stream]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "ручей"); B1 (Intermediate for "поток")

Pronunciation (Russian):

ручей: [rʊˈtɕej]

Note on ручей: The stress is on the second syllable. The "ч" sound is a soft "ch" as in "church".

поток: [pɐˈtok]

Note on поток: The stress is on the second syllable. The "о" is reduced to a schwa sound in unstressed position.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A Small Stream of Water

Translation(s) & Context:

• ручей - Used to describe a small, natural stream of water, often found in forests or mountains.

Usage Examples:

• Ручей журчал в лесу.

  The brook babbled in the forest.

• Мы перешли ручей по камням.

  We crossed the brook using the stones.

• Ручей был холодным и прозрачным.

  The brook was cold and clear.

2. A Flow or Stream (Figurative or Larger)

Translation(s) & Context:

• поток - Often used for a larger stream or in a figurative sense, such as a "stream of thoughts" or "flow of water".

Usage Examples:

• Поток воды унёс всё на своём пути.

  The stream of water carried everything in its path.

• Поток мыслей не давал мне уснуть.

  A stream of thoughts kept me awake.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

ручей (Noun, Masculine, Inanimate):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	ручей	ручьи
Genitive	ручья	ручьёв
Dative	ручью	ручьям
Accusative	ручей	ручьи
Instrumental	ручьём	ручьями
Prepositional	о ручье	о ручьях

поток (Noun, Masculine, Inanimate):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	поток	потоки
Genitive	потока	потоков
Dative	потоку	потокам
Accusative	поток	потоки
Instrumental	потоком	потоками
Prepositional	о потоке	о потоках

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "ручей":

• ручьишко (Diminutive, Informal)
• ключ (Poetic or Regional)

Note: "ручьишко" implies a very small brook, often used affectionately or informally.

Antonyms for "ручей":

• река (River)

Synonyms for "поток":

• течение (Current)
• струя (Jet, Stream)

Related Phrases:

• журчание ручья - The babbling of a brook.
• поток воды - A stream of water.
• поток информации - A stream of information.

Usage Notes:

• "ручей" is the most direct and common translation for "brook" as a small stream. It is neutral in tone and widely understood.
• "поток" is broader and can refer to a larger flow or be used metaphorically. It is less likely to be used for a small brook in everyday speech.
• Ensure the context matches the translation choice: use "ручей" for natural, small streams and "поток" for figurative or larger flows.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "поток" when referring to a small brook in a forest.
  Incorrect: В лесу был маленький поток.
  Correct: В лесу был маленький ручей.
  Explanation: "поток" suggests a larger or more forceful flow, which doesn't fit the imagery of a small brook.
• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation (e.g., saying [ˈrʊtɕej] instead of [rʊˈtɕej]).
  Explanation: Stress in Russian is crucial, and misplacing it can make the word sound unnatural or unintelligible.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, brooks ("ручей") are often romanticized in literature and folklore as symbols of purity and nature. They frequently appear in poetry and songs, evoking a sense of tranquility and connection to the countryside.

Related Concepts:

• река (River)
• озеро (Lake)
• источник (Spring, Source)