Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cobra'

English Word: cobra

Key Russian Translations:

• кобра [ˈkobrə] - [General, Neutral]

Frequency: Low (Rare in everyday conversation, mostly used in scientific or zoological contexts)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate, straightforward term with minimal grammatical complexity)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кобра: [ˈkobrə]

Note on кобра: Stress falls on the first syllable. The 'o' is pronounced as a clear, open 'o' sound, and the 'r' is slightly rolled, typical of Russian phonetics.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A venomous snake (literal meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• кобра - Used to refer to the specific type of venomous snake, often in scientific, educational, or zoological discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В пустыне можно встретить кобру, которая очень опасна.

  In the desert, you can encounter a cobra, which is very dangerous.

• Кобра подняла голову и раскрыла свой капюшон.

  The cobra raised its head and spread its hood.

• На уроке биологии мы изучали виды кобр.

  In biology class, we studied different types of cobras.

• Кобра — символ мудрости в некоторых культурах.

  The cobra is a symbol of wisdom in some cultures.

• Осторожно, кобра может укусить, если её потревожить.

  Be careful, a cobra can bite if disturbed.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word кобра is a feminine noun in Russian (ending in -а). It follows the standard declension pattern for feminine nouns in -а. Below is the full declension table:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• Нет точных синонимов (No direct synonyms, as "кобра" is a specific term)

Antonyms:

• Нет прямых антонимов (No direct antonyms, as it is a specific noun)

Note: While there are no direct synonyms, related terms like "змея" (snake) might be used in broader contexts, though they are not interchangeable with "кобра."

Related Phrases:

• королевская кобра - Royal cobra or king cobra, a specific species of cobra.
• укус кобры - Cobra bite, referring to the dangerous bite of a cobra.
• капюшон кобры - Cobra hood, describing the distinctive feature of a cobra.

Usage Notes:

• The term "кобра" is a direct borrowing from English and other languages, adapted to Russian phonetics and grammar. It is used exclusively to refer to the specific type of snake and does not have metaphorical or idiomatic meanings in Russian.
• It is primarily used in formal or scientific contexts, such as biology discussions or documentaries, and is rarely encountered in casual conversation unless discussing exotic animals.
• Unlike in some English contexts where "cobra" might be used metaphorically (e.g., for a dangerous person), this usage does not exist in Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing "кобра" by stressing the second syllable (ko-BRÁ). Correction: The stress is on the first syllable: KÓ-bra [ˈkobrə].
• Error: Using "кобра" as a general term for any snake. Correction: In Russian, "змея" is the general term for snake, while "кобра" specifically refers to cobras. Example of error: "Я видел кобру в саду" (I saw a cobra in the garden) when referring to a common snake. Correct usage: "Я видел змею в саду" (I saw a snake in the garden).
• Error: Incorrect case endings due to unfamiliarity with feminine noun declension. Example of error: "Я боюсь кобра" (I am afraid of cobra, incorrect genitive). Correct usage: "Я боюсь кобры" (I am afraid of a cobra).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the cobra does not hold significant symbolic meaning as it might in South Asian cultures (e.g., India, where it is often associated with deities or mysticism). It is generally viewed as an exotic and dangerous animal, often referenced in the context of foreign wildlife or adventure stories. Russian speakers might associate cobras with documentaries or zoos rather than personal experience, given that cobras are not native to Russia.

Related Concepts:

• змея (snake)
• яд (venom)
• рептилия (reptile)