Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cavalcade'

English Word: cavalcade

Key Russian Translations:

• кавалкада [kɐ.vɐl'ka.da] - [Formal; often used in literary or historical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, historical texts, or descriptions of events, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with borrowed words and basic noun inflections, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of Russian vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кавалкада: [kɐ.vɐl'ka.da]

Note on кавалкада: The stress falls on the third syllable ('ka.da'), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to the Russian stress patterns. Pronounce the 'a' sounds as in "father" for a more authentic delivery.

Audio: Listen to pronunciation [Insert audio player or link here]

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A procession of vehicles, riders, or a series of events

Translation(s) & Context:

• кавалкада - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as historical parades or metaphorical sequences of events.

Usage Examples:

• В городе прошла грандиозная кавалкада автомобилей во время праздника.

  In the city, a grand cavalcade of cars passed during the holiday.

• Эта книга описывает кавалкаду исторических событий, изменивших мир.

  This book describes a cavalcade of historical events that changed the world.

• Во время фестиваля мы увидели кавалкаду всадников в старинных костюмах.

  During the festival, we saw a cavalcade of riders in ancient costumes.

• Кавалкада туристов заполнила улицы Москвы в разгар лета.

  A cavalcade of tourists filled the streets of Moscow in the height of summer.

• Фильм представляет кавалкаду приключений, полных неожиданных поворотов.

  The film presents a cavalcade of adventures full of unexpected twists.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Кавалкада" is a feminine noun in Russian, borrowed from English/French, and follows the first declension pattern with some irregularities due to its foreign origin. It changes based on case and number.

Note: This word is relatively stable but may vary slightly in poetic or archaic usage. It does not have verbal forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • процессия (procession; more general and commonly used in everyday contexts)
  • шествие (march or procession; implies movement, often in a parade)
• Antonyms:
  • хаос (chaos; implies disorder, as opposed to an organized cavalcade)

Related Phrases:

• большая кавалкада (a large cavalcade; used for grand processions, e.g., in festivals)
• кавалкада событий (a cavalcade of events; metaphorical for a series of occurrences in history or life)
• военная кавалкада (military cavalcade; refers to parades involving armed forces, with cultural connotations of patriotism)

Usage Notes:

"Кавалкада" directly corresponds to the English "cavalcade" as a borrowed term, making it a precise match for formal or literary descriptions. It is typically used in written Russian or formal speech rather than casual conversation. When choosing between synonyms like "процессия" or "шествие," opt for "кавалкада" if the context involves a spectacular or historical procession. Be mindful of Russian case inflections, as they affect sentence structure—e.g., use the genitive for possession. This word is gender-specific (feminine), which influences adjective agreements.

Common Errors:

• Confusing it with "карусель" (carousel), which implies a circular motion. Incorrect: "Кавалкада — это карусель машин." Correct: "Кавалкада — это процессия машин." Explanation: "Кавалкада" denotes a linear procession, not rotation.

• Neglecting inflections, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Incorrect: "Я видел кавалкада." Correct: "Я видел кавалкаду." Explanation: The accusative form is required after verbs like "видеть" (to see).

• Overusing it in informal settings. Incorrect: In casual talk, saying "Это была кавалкада друзей" might sound overly formal. Correct: Use "группа друзей" instead. Explanation: Reserve "кавалкада" for emphatic or descriptive contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "кавалкада" often evokes images of historical events like the tsarist parades or modern victory day processions, symbolizing grandeur and national pride. It can carry a nostalgic or romantic connotation in literature, such as in works by Tolstoy, where it represents the flow of life or societal changes.

Related Concepts:

• процессия
• шествие
• парад