Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'buzzard'

English Word: buzzard

Key Russian Translations:

• коршун /kɐrˈʂun/ - [Formal, used in scientific or natural contexts]
• сарыч /ˈsarɨt͡ɕ/ - [Informal, regional variations in everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in nature-related discussions, wildlife literature, or regional dialects, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level; requires basic knowledge of Russian nouns and vocabulary for birds, with potential challenges in pronunciation of the 'ш' sound)

Pronunciation (Russian):

коршун: /kɐrˈʂun/

сарыч: /ˈsarɨt͡ɕ/

Note on коршун: The 'ш' sound is a voiceless retroflex fricative, which can be tricky for English speakers; it's similar to the 'sh' in "she" but with a more rolled tongue. Pronounce it with emphasis on the second syllable.

Note on сарыч: The 'ы' sound is a central vowel, distinct from 'i' in English; it's softer and more neutral. Audio playback may help with regional accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A type of bird of prey, often referring to hawks or vultures in English contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• коршун - Used in formal, scientific, or literary contexts, such as ornithology or wildlife descriptions.
• сарыч - Applied in informal or regional settings, like everyday conversations in rural areas, to describe similar birds.

Usage Examples:

• В лесу мы заметили коршуна, парящего над деревьями.

  In the forest, we spotted a buzzard soaring above the trees.

• Коршун – это хищная птица, которая часто гнездится в горах.

  A buzzard is a predatory bird that often nests in mountains.

• Сарыч кружил над полем, ища добычу в утреннем свете.

  The buzzard circled over the field, searching for prey in the morning light.

• В русской фольклоре коршун символизирует свободу и силу природы.

  In Russian folklore, the buzzard symbolizes freedom and the power of nature.

• Местные жители называют сарыча, когда говорят о птицах, обитающих в степях.

  Local residents refer to the buzzard when talking about birds living in the steppes.

Figurative or metaphorical use (e.g., in literature to denote something predatory).

Translation(s) & Context:

• коршун - Used metaphorically in poetry or prose to imply danger or opportunism.

Usage Examples:

• В бизнесе он был как коршун, выжидая момента для удара.

  In business, he was like a buzzard, waiting for the moment to strike.

• Коршун финансового кризиса обрушился на экономику.

  The buzzard of the financial crisis descended upon the economy.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "коршун" and "сарыч" are masculine nouns (third declension in Russian). They follow standard patterns for animate masculine nouns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. "Коршун" is more commonly inflected, while "сарыч" may remain unchanged in informal use.

For "сарыч": It follows a similar pattern but is less frequently inflected in modern usage, often remaining as "сарыч" in nominative form. Note: No irregular changes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: ястреб (hawk, with a broader connotation of agility); орёл (eagle, implying majesty but similar predatory nature)
• ястреб is often interchangeable in poetic contexts but emphasizes speed more than "коршун".
• Antonyms: (Not directly applicable, as antonyms for animals are rare; conceptually, something non-predatory like) голубь (dove, symbolizing peace)

Related Phrases:

• Коршун в полёте – A buzzard in flight; used to describe graceful or predatory movement in nature documentaries.
• Сарыч над степью – Buzzard over the steppe; refers to rural landscapes and wildlife observations.
• Птица-коршун – Bird of prey; a common phrase in educational or environmental contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Buzzard" in English corresponds most closely to "коршун" in formal Russian contexts, especially in scientific or literary settings, while "сарыч" is more dialectal and informal. Choose "коршун" for precise translations in writing or education, as it aligns with standard vocabulary. Be mindful of grammatical gender: both are masculine, so adjectives and verbs must agree (e.g., "большой коршун" for "big buzzard"). In spoken Russian, regional variations might prefer "сарыч" in areas like Siberia. Avoid using these terms metaphorically without context, as they can imply negative connotations like opportunism.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "коршун" with "ворон" (raven), as both are birds, leading to incorrect usage in descriptions. Correct: Use "коршун" for birds of prey specifically, e.g., Incorrect: "Ворон парит как коршун" (A raven soars like a buzzard) – but ravens don't typically soar like hawks. Explanation: "коршун" implies gliding flight, while "ворон" suggests scavenging on the ground.
• Error: Forgetting noun inflections, e.g., using "коршун" in genitive as "коршун" instead of "коршуна". Correct: "Крыло коршуна" (The wing of the buzzard). Explanation: This changes the sentence structure and can make it grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "коршун" often appears in folklore and literature as a symbol of freedom, solitude, and sometimes deceit, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy. It represents the vast Russian landscapes and the harshness of nature, contrasting with more domestic birds like the sparrow. This bird is not typically associated with negative omens but can symbolize survival in adverse conditions.

Related Concepts:

• ястреб
• орёл
• сокол