Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'butte'

English Word: butte

Key Russian Translations:

• бута /ˈbu.tə/ - [Geographical term, often used in formal or scientific contexts]
• холм с плоской вершиной /xɐl.m s plɐs.kəj vʲɛr.ʂɨ.nəj/ - [Descriptive phrase, informal or explanatory use]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in geological or academic discussions; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of Russian nouns and geographical vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бута: /ˈbu.tə/ (Stress on the first syllable; the 'у' is pronounced like 'oo' in 'boot')

холм с плоской вершиной: /xɐl.m s plɐs.kəj vʲɛr.ʂɨ.nəj/ (Note the soft sign 'ь' in 'верши́ной', which palatalizes the preceding consonant; common challenge for English speakers due to the rolled 'р')

Note on бута: This word is a loanword and may vary slightly in pronunciation based on regional dialects, but /ˈbu.tə/ is standard in modern Russian.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A flat-topped hill with steep sides, typically formed by erosion (Geological feature)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бута - Used in formal geological descriptions or academic texts to refer to isolated landforms.
• холм с плоской вершиной - Employed in everyday or informal contexts when explaining landscapes to non-experts.

Usage Examples:

• В пустыне Аризоны можно увидеть множество бут, образованных эрозией.

  In the Arizona desert, you can see many buttes formed by erosion.

• Этот холм с плоской вершиной напоминает типичный бута в американском Западе.

  This hill with a flat top resembles a typical butte in the American West.

• Геологи изучают, как ветер и вода формируют такие утёсы, как бута.

  Geologists study how wind and water form such cliffs as a butte.

• Во время экскурсии мы поднялись на бута, чтобы увидеть панораму долины.

  During the excursion, we climbed the butte to see the valley panorama.

• Холм с плоской вершиной, или бута, часто встречается в регионах с засушливым климатом.

  A hill with a flat top, or butte, is often found in regions with arid climates.

Meaning 2: Figurative use, referring to something isolated or prominent (Metaphorical extension)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бута - In metaphorical contexts, such as literature, to describe an outstanding feature or person.

Usage Examples:

• В городе он был как бута — выделялся среди остальных своим талантом.

  In the city, he was like a butte — he stood out among others with his talent.

• Её идеи выступали бута в море рутины.

  Her ideas stood out like a butte in a sea of routine.

• Этот памятник — настоящая бута исторического ландшафта.

  This monument is a true butte in the historical landscape.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Бута" is a feminine noun in Russian, following the standard first declension pattern for nouns ending in -a. It has regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table of its declensions:

For "холм с плоской вершиной", this is a phrase rather than a single word, so it does not inflect as a unit. However, individual words like "холм" (a masculine noun) follow their own inflections (e.g., genitive: холма).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • утёс (cliff) - Often used interchangeably for steep, isolated formations.
  • скала (rock) - A more general term, but can imply prominence.
• Antonyms:
  • долина (valley) - Represents low-lying areas, contrasting with elevated features.
  • равнина (plain) - Flat, open land without elevation.

Related Phrases:

• бута в пустыне (butte in the desert) - A common geographical phrase referring to arid landscapes; used in travel or scientific descriptions.
• скала с плоской вершиной (rock with a flat top) - Similar to the original term, often in educational contexts.
• изолированный холм (isolated hill) - Metaphorical use for something standing alone; implies uniqueness in narratives.

Usage Notes:

"Бута" directly corresponds to the English "butte" in geological contexts, but it's a loanword and less common in everyday Russian speech. Prefer "холм с плоской вершиной" for informal explanations. Be mindful of gender agreements when using in sentences (e.g., adjectives must agree with the feminine noun). When choosing between translations, use "бута" in formal or technical writing for precision, and the descriptive phrase in casual conversation to avoid confusion.

Common Errors:

• Error: Misusing the gender of "бута" by treating it as masculine, e.g., saying "этот бута" instead of "эта бута". Correct: Use feminine adjectives and pronouns. Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, which affects agreement; English speakers often overlook this.

• Error: Overgeneralizing "бута" to mean any hill, e.g., confusing it with "холм". Correct: Specify the flat-topped feature. Explanation: This leads to imprecise descriptions; always include context for accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "бута" are often associated with explorations of foreign landscapes, such as those in the American West, as depicted in literature or films. It symbolizes isolation and resilience, reflecting themes in Russian poetry where natural features represent human endurance against harsh environments.

Related Concepts:

• утёс
• скала
• долина
• равнина