Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cloudburst'

English Word: cloudburst

Key Russian Translations:

• ливень [lʲɪˈvʲenʲ] - [Formal, used for sudden heavy rain]
• проливной дождь [prɐˈlʲivnoj ˈdoʐʲ] - [Informal, emphasizes intensity]

Frequency: Medium - This term is commonly used in weather-related discussions, literature, and forecasts, but not in everyday casual conversation.

Difficulty: B1 - Intermediate level (CEFR), as it involves basic weather vocabulary and noun inflections; for "ливень", it's straightforward, while "проливной дождь" may require understanding of adjectives.

Pronunciation (Russian):

ливень: [lʲɪˈvʲenʲ]

проливной дождь: [prɐˈlʲivnoj ˈdoʐʲ]

Note on ливень: The stress is on the second syllable; be mindful of the soft 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a clear palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Sudden, heavy rainfall (Primary meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ливень - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as weather reports or literature, to describe a brief but intense rainstorm.
• проливной дождь - Applied in informal settings, like everyday conversation, to emphasize the pouring nature of the rain.

Usage Examples:

• Вчера над городом прошел сильный ливень, который затопил улицы.

  Yesterday, a heavy cloudburst passed over the city, flooding the streets.

• Мы были вынуждены искать укрытие из-за внезапного проливного дождя.

  We had to seek shelter due to the sudden cloudburst.

• Ливень в горах может привести к оползням и наводнениям.

  A cloudburst in the mountains can lead to landslides and floods.

• После проливного дождя небо быстро прояснилось, и выглянуло солнце.

  After the cloudburst, the sky cleared quickly, and the sun came out.

• Метеорологи предсказали ливень в регионе, поэтому мы отменили пикник.

  Meteorologists predicted a cloudburst in the region, so we canceled the picnic.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations involve nouns and adjectives with standard Russian inflections. "Ливень" is a masculine noun (3rd declension), which follows regular patterns. "Проливной" is an adjective that agrees with the noun it modifies, such as "дождь" (also masculine).

Note: These are regular inflections; "ливень" does not have irregularities, making it relatively easy for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • дождь (dohzh') - A general term for rain, less intense than ливень.
  • лив (liv) - Informal variant, used in poetic or regional contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • засуха (zasukha) - Drought, implying the complete absence of rain.
  • сухость (sukhast') - Dryness, often in weather reports.

Related Phrases:

• Сильный ливень - A strong cloudburst; used to describe particularly intense rain events.
• Внезапный проливной дождь - Sudden downpour; common in forecasting or storytelling.
• Ливень с грозой - Cloudburst with thunder; implies accompanying storms, often in dramatic contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "ливень" is the most precise equivalent to "cloudburst" and is preferred in formal writing or scientific contexts, while "проливной дождь" is more versatile for everyday speech. Be aware that Russian weather vocabulary often incorporates adjectives to modify intensity, so pair these with words like "сильный" (strong) for accuracy. When translating, choose based on context: use "ливень" for brevity in literary works and "проливной дождь" for descriptive narratives. Grammatically, ensure adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the noun.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "ливень" with "дождь": Learners might use the general "дождь" (rain) instead of "ливень" for a cloudburst, diluting the intensity. Correct usage: Say "ливень" for sudden heavy rain, not just any rain. Example of error: "Быстрый дождь" (incorrect for cloudburst); Correct: "Внезапный ливень".
• Incorrect inflection: Forgetting to change the case, e.g., using nominative "ливень" in a genitive context. Error: "Из-за ливень" (wrong); Correct: "Из-за ливня" (from the cloudburst).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "ливень" often appear in literature and folklore, symbolizing sudden change or emotional turmoil, as in works by Pushkin. Russia's variable climate makes such vocabulary practical; for instance, summer cloudbursts in Moscow can disrupt daily life, reinforcing their cultural significance in conversations about weather resilience.

Related Concepts:

• гроза (groza) - Thunderstorm
• наводнение (navodneniye) - Flood
• метеорология (meteorologiya) - Meteorology