Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cormorant'

English Word: Cormorant

Key Russian Translations:

• Баклан [ˈbakɫan] - [Neutral, Common]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Баклан: [ˈbakɫan]

Note on Баклан: The stress falls on the first syllable. The 'л' sound is soft, which might be tricky for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Bird Species (A type of seabird)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Баклан - Refers to the bird species, often used in zoological or natural contexts.

Usage Examples:

• На побережье мы увидели баклана, ныряющего за рыбой.

  On the coast, we saw a cormorant diving for fish.

• Бакланы часто гнездятся на скалах у моря.

  Cormorants often nest on rocks by the sea.

• Этот баклан расправил крылья, чтобы высушить их на солнце.

  This cormorant spread its wings to dry them in the sun.

2. Slang (A foolish or clumsy person)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Баклан - Used colloquially to describe someone acting foolishly or awkwardly, often derogatory.

Usage Examples:

• Не будь таким бакланом, подумай, прежде чем говорить.

  Don't be such a cormorant, think before you speak.

• Он вел себя как настоящий баклан на вечеринке.

  He acted like a complete cormorant at the party.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Баклан is a masculine noun. It follows the regular declension pattern for animate masculine nouns in Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for Баклан (Bird):

• Морская ворона (less common, regional)

Synonyms for Баклан (Slang):

• Дурак (fool)
• Болван (blockhead)

Antonyms: None directly applicable for the bird meaning; for slang usage, antonyms could include умник (smart person).

Related Phrases:

• Как баклан на суше - "Like a cormorant on land," used to describe someone who looks or acts awkwardly in an unfamiliar situation.

Usage Notes:

• The primary meaning of "Баклан" refers to the bird species, commonly understood in contexts related to nature or wildlife.
• In informal speech, "Баклан" can be a derogatory term for a foolish or clumsy person. Be cautious when using it in this sense, as it may offend.
• There is no significant variation in translation for "cormorant" as a bird across different Russian-speaking regions, though the slang usage might carry slightly different connotations depending on the context.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Баклан" in a formal context to refer to a person, not realizing its derogatory connotation.
  Incorrect: Он был бакланом на собрании. (He was a cormorant at the meeting - sounds offensive.)
  Correct: Use neutral terms like "Он был неуклюжим" (He was clumsy) in formal settings.
• Error: Misplacing stress when pronouncing "Баклан," stressing the second syllable instead of the first.
  Incorrect: [bakˈɫan]
  Correct: [ˈbakɫan]

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, cormorants are often associated with coastal or marine environments. They are not as symbolically significant as some other birds (like eagles or doves), but their image as persistent divers might be referenced in literature or proverbs. The slang usage of "Баклан" likely stems from the bird's perceived awkwardness on land.

Related Concepts:

• Чайка (Seagull)
• Пеликан (Pelican)
• Морская птица (Seabird)