Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Buoy'

English Word: buoy

Key Russian Translations:

• буй [buj] - [Neutral, Commonly Used]
• бакен [ˈbakʲɪn] - [Technical, Often Used in Navigation]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "буй"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "бакен" due to technical context

Pronunciation (Russian):

буй: [buj]

Note on буй: The stress falls on the single syllable, making it straightforward to pronounce.

бакен: [ˈbakʲɪn]

Note on бакен: Stress on the first syllable; the soft 'к' sound may be challenging for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A floating marker in water (e.g., for navigation or warning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• буй - General term for a buoy as a floating marker in water, used in everyday and technical contexts.
• бакен - More specific to navigation, often used in professional maritime or river contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Буй покачивался на волнах, указывая опасное место.

  The buoy swayed on the waves, marking a dangerous spot.

• Капитан заметил красный буй вдали.

  The captain spotted a red buoy in the distance.

• Бакен был установлен для обозначения фарватера.

  The beacon (buoy) was set up to mark the fairway.

• На реке много бакенов, чтобы помочь судам ориентироваться.

  There are many buoys on the river to help ships navigate.

• Буй служит ориентиром для рыбаков.

  The buoy serves as a landmark for fishermen.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

буй (noun, masculine, inanimate):

бакен (noun, masculine, inanimate):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for буй:

• бакен (more technical)
• поплавок (less common, often for smaller floats)

Note: "бакен" is more specific to navigation, while "поплавок" might be used for smaller floating objects like fishing floats.

Antonyms for буй:

• якорь (anchor, as an opposing concept of something that sinks rather than floats)

Related Phrases:

• красный буй - "red buoy," often used to mark the port side in navigation.
• зелёный буй - "green buoy," often used to mark the starboard side in navigation.
• установить бакен - "to set up a buoy," common in technical contexts for marking waterways.

Usage Notes:

• While both "буй" and "бакен" can translate to "buoy," "буй" is the more general and widely understood term, suitable for casual and semi-formal contexts.
• "бакен" is more technical and often used in professional maritime or river navigation settings. If you're unsure, "буй" is the safer choice for most situations.
• Neither term is typically used metaphorically in Russian as "buoy" might be in English (e.g., to "buoy someone's spirits"). For such figurative meanings, other Russian expressions or verbs like "поддерживать" (to support) would be used.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "поплавок" interchangeably with "буй." While "поплавок" can mean a small float (e.g., for fishing), it is incorrect for larger navigation buoys.
  Incorrect: На море был поплавок, указывающий путь.
  Correct: На море был буй, указывающий путь.
• Error: Mispronouncing "бакен" by stressing the second syllable. The stress must be on the first syllable [ˈbakʲɪn].

Cultural Notes:

In Russian-speaking regions, especially those with significant river or sea navigation (e.g., along the Volga or in coastal areas), buoys like "бакен" are critical for safe travel. The term "бакен" may evoke a sense of historical river trade and navigation, as these markers have been used for centuries in Russia's vast waterway systems.

Related Concepts:

• фарватер (fairway)
• маяк (lighthouse)
• якорь (anchor)